Alternator Timing Belt

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:34 am

Was adjusting the valves last night and gave the once over to the alternator belt which seemed fine. Mines a 99 bike and the belt has been in when I bought the bike some 12,000miles ago. How often should these things be changed ?

sproggy · Post by **sproggy** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:44 am

Every 36k miles (60k km). Although it doesn't hurt to check the condition more regularly than that.

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:35 am

Cheers Sproggy.

julian · Post by **julian** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:13 am

I recently changed mine at 34k miles. Belt was in good condition but fraying slightly on one edge. To tension the belt correctly with a torque wrench you need to remove the fuel tank.

BMWBob · Post by **BMWBob** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:34 pm

I gather some Dealers are now recommending changing at 24,000 miles.

CW the Dealer I use said a customer's went at 28K recently leaving him not too happy

Regards Bob

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 3:26 pm

Cheers all.

I suppose if the belt is not tightened occasionally it could start slipping and then not charge the alternator correctly. I have noticed that it does'nt have any teeth on it to prevent slippage.

Jason M · Post by **Jason M** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 3:30 pm

scotty wrote:Cheers all.

I suppose if the belt is not tightened occasionally it could start slipping and then not charge the alternator correctly. I have noticed that it does'nt have any teeth on it to prevent slippage.

Don't feck about with those tensioners - just cut the old belt off and wind the new one over the pulleys by turning over the engine using the crank nut (take the plugs out to make it easier!). 30 minutes max. Slippage won't be a problem.

Jason

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 3:35 pm

Cheers Jason

It's something I've got to do shortly. It's still got a reasonable amount of service life left theough as I think it was changed about 15,000 mile ago.