Good luck!
Just did my second timing belt R&R yesterday, along with my first water pump (including new idler and tensioner). At 180,000 on my '91 SSMST1100.
Tips:
- Use the Honda Service Manual.
- Pull the forks and do a suspension fluid change (makes for easier TB and WP access).
- Rotate the crank until the T1 and dot, and both driven pulleys all align with the marks (a look down the #1 cyl spark plug hole will confirm TDC).
- Don't follow the manual on moving/releasing the tensioner. I once had the belt slip/jump a bunch of teeth on the drive/crankshaft pulley that way. Instead, push down on the tab that the spring hooks into with a big screwdriver. When it's down all the way, slide the bearing to the left in the bolt slot, and then snug the bolt down.
- Before you pull the belt count the teeth between the driven pulley's marks (51 in both of my old belts), and duplicate that when installing the new belt. You will probably need to rotate the right driven pulley slightly CW to get the 51, but it will align when the whole belt is on and tension is applied.
- Remove the left driven pulley and reduction holder in order to get the old water pump out/new in. Instead of removing the frame parts, IMHO. I bought the bearing seal and gasket but didn't need them as mine weren't damaged during removal. Email me if you'd like them.
- edit: install the new belt in specific order, drive (crankshaft) pulley, water pump, left driven pulley, right driven pulley (count teeth), and tensioner (still fully retracted to give enough slack to get the belt on).
- Follow the very last instruction in the manual for a new belt install (2-4 crank rotations until marks align, followed by another 3 teeth CW past the mark at the right driven pulley, before final torque on the tensioner bolt).
I'm sure I'll think of more right after I hit send, but these will help a lot, truST me.
[took some pictures but a photo article will have to wait until after fork fluid, caliper rebuild, etc. probably after WeSTOC]
Edit: the old idler and tensioner bearings were like the new replacements. As was the old belt and water pump. Amazing.
John
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