Belt advice.

Question I have just bought ( 4 weeks ago ) a 2011 swing with 4390 on it. The question will the old belt be okay to carry on riding, or would be better to renew that and ancilliaries just to be safe.

If so does anyone know garage near Liverpool Uk who could do it. I dont want to go to somewhere that does not know what they are doing. Fireman.

This is what I'd do, knowing that others will have different ideas:

I gave up doing any mechanical work many moons ago.
For peace of mind I'd have the belt changed and, possibly, some further service work - oil and filters, etc.
I would Google for Honda motorcycle dealers in Liverpool (I did and there are some) and select one.
Then I'd either phone round or visit a couple to see what's what then book it in to have the work done.
Inevitably, it will cost more than DIY or finding a 'back street' garage but you will have a starting point.
Afterwards, I'd look around for somewhere for future work; you'll have plenty of time before the bike will need another service or belt change.
As I said: it's what I'd do.

Having said that, the belt is probably fine.

In general anything made with rubber has a shelf and useable life, regardless of mileage, at 10yrs both your tires and belt have exceeded that, I would not take a chance on either.

In that case I'd better change that packet of Durex condoms I've been carrying around in my wallet the since the mid-Eighties then. There's still two left in the packet.  

At our age the extra stiffness of the rubber might be useful

I remember the smell of burning rubber, but then I got a Silverwing

Meldrew wrote:

In that case I'd better change that packet of Durex condoms I've been carrying around in my wallet the since the mid-Eighties then. There's still two left in the packet.  

I'll have to give you two thumbs up on that one sarcasm at it's best.  

Old belts aren't good who likes walking.

Very true, it's difficult to walk with your trousers round your ankles.

MikeO wrote:

... snipped ... Having said that, the belt is probably fine.

I agree with MikeO and if it were me, I would continue using it.

If you're handy and worried enough, pull of the black cover (Honda calls it the Left Rear Driven Pulley/Clutch Cover) at the back, left bottom of the bike which protects the belt. There are about 8 bolts ... some are different lengths so keep track of which ones go where. You can pull the cover and then do a visual inspection of the belt looking for any cracks, deterioration, missing cogs etc.

Personally I would not bother measuring it because of the low miles. If the visual inspection produces no big issues, you can vacuum then wipe out the belt housing as best you can and get rid of any of the excess rubber dust that you will inevitably find in the housing. Then replace the cover using the same bolts from the same holes to re-secure it and go for a nice ride. Don't for get about the pint when you get home after riding as your reward.

HI Sonuvabug. Many thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it.

I have just dowsized to the Swing after 48 years riding bikes. I have had all kinds and makes over the years, but I have just got rid of my Yamaha Trike, my Yamaha bike and my Honda Blackbird. They were getting too heavy for me to move around. I never thought I would ever ride a scooter, but when I seen this one up for sale, I thought why not give it a go, I can always sell it if I didnt like it.

Wow was I in for a surprise, a great bike all round. You take care over there. Safe riding.

Hoping all okay in Ontario Canada.

From an ex Liverpool Fireman Uk. aka Fireman.

WOW ... that's quite a collection of rides you've owned and liquidated Fireman.  I describe my SWing as a Jack of all things and a Master of a few of them when describing it to fellow motorcyclists who are curious about it.  Which bike do you miss the most and why?    

Regarding Canada generally and Ontario province specifically, the fourth COVID wave is sweeping across our land despite Ontario having 80% of our eligible population double vaccinated and 86% single dosed.  The good news (if there is such a thing with COVID) is it's mostly the unvaccinated that are getting really sick now.   The bad news is they are tying up precious medical resources.  

Our front line medical people are exasperated and exhausted taking care of the Cov-idiots on top of those legitimately suffering from other ailments.

Our provincial government recently announced they will be implementing triage protocols for hospital ICU resources.  Many citizens are hoping that single and non-vaccers will be assigned a much lower place on the priority list regarding access to medical assistance than those who have taken steps to protect themselves and other community members from this debilitating virus.

Be careful ... stay healthy!

HI Sonuvabug. If I had to pick one of my bikes I would have to go with the Yamaha XJ1300SP. I bought it brand new in 2004. Great bike, but couldnt get round the wind battering me on the motorway.

Sorry to hear about your Covid. I reckon we in the Uk are in for another lockdown during the winter.

You stay safe. Take care. Fireman ( Dave ).

zrx212 wrote:

In general anything made with rubber has a shelf and useable life, regardless of mileage, at 10yrs both your tires and belt have exceeded that, I would not take a chance on either.

  I stand by my previous statement, only will add, I recommend replace belt, etc., for safety. Buying a used vehicle is kinda "like a box of chocolates"..., 
Unless the P/O gave you some kind of service records or you know scooters history, is best to go thru and check everything, is what I do. 

Good Luck  

My Swing had 2k on it when I got it last fall. It's a 2012.
Also being skeptical about all things rubber, I checked the belt after another 1K. Looks like new. Measured it too. And then there's the "feel" of the rubber. Rubber itself can last a long time if it doesn't dry out, so if kept in an enclosed environment it will deteriorate slower. Apparently mine had sat in a climate controlled garage for the last 8 or 9 years and wasn't exposed to much. I have 8k on the belt now and gave it a look when I changed the gear oil (which should also be changed if it's just been sitting there) and it still looks good. Wish I could say the same for the back tire!!!

When I talked to my local Honda dealership about my 2006 SWing with 7,000 miles, I asked them whether I needed to change the belt due to its age. I already ordered and received a GBoost replacement belt. They said it should be fine for 15,000 miles, even being 16 years old. Later that day I spoke with an older independent motorcycle mechanic and asked him the same question. He answered the same way, that even with 16 years on the original belt, it will be fine for a total of 15,000 miles, minimum. So my new belt is still under my seat for now.

Hope you do not end up walking. People who have given advice probably have never ridden the miles with rubber band drive scooter. old belt=change in my book....and I have ridden over 400,000 miles with rubber band drive scooters.....OEM belts seem to work best.

john grinsel wrote:

Hope you do not end up walking.   People who have given advice probably have never ridden the miles with rubber band drive scooter.  old belt=change in my book....and I have ridden over 400,000 miles with rubber band drive scooters.....OEM belts seem to work best.

I grew up on snowmobiles. They had a similar belt and cvt drive as our scooters. We put so many thousands of miles on ancient sleds with their ancient belts, with far greater frictional resistance, that I’m not too worried about a low mileage 16 year old modern aramid reinforced scooter belt.

I keep my AAA Plus up to date and my cell phone is always on me, so I’m not too worried about walking. Cars break down and need a tow occasionally, and bikes are no different. Fortunately I’ve seen far more broken down Harleys on the side of the road than any metric bike.

Think about getting run over from behind.....when your belt breaks.

BrianInVA wrote:

When I talked to my local Honda dealership about my 2006 SWing with 7,000 miles, I asked them whether I needed to change the belt due to its age. I already ordered and received a GBoost replacement belt. They said it should be fine for 15,000 miles, even being 16 years old. Later that day I spoke with an older independent motorcycle mechanic and asked him the same question. He answered the same way, that even with 16 years on the original belt, it will be fine for a total of 15,000 miles, minimum. So my new belt is still under my seat for now.

I would still do my own belt inspection. The belt, regardless of all the fancy acronyms, is still largely rubber, which does not age well just sitting around doing nothing, let alone spinning around in a clutch housing.

If a snowmobile belt fails, you likely will not be subject to the same forces of a scooter doing 60 or 70. Snow is also a bit more forgiving than asphalt.

If your 17 year old belt (could be older depending on the age of the belt when it was installed and when your bike was actually manufactured) is still supple (very doubtful) and doesn't show any degradation, cracking or dry rot, you are probably fine. I guess my question would be why risk it? Quite simple actually to swap it out using information from this forum.  

A failed drive belt at highway speeds could have very unpredictable and potentially catastrophic results. It would be a shame for the EMT's pealing you off the pavement to find your brand new belt among the wreckage. JMHO

Following this thread with interest. Do we know then the OEM belts were actually made, I mean could they have sat on a shelf 10-12years before getting sold? Do they have a "sell by" date so we could check, anyone know?

I guess we're in the lap of the gods. Honda probably stop making parts for the SW by the end of the production run. This probably goes for all kinds of perishable spares, from all manufacturers.

I think it's a 'given' that all types of plastic and rubber deteriorate with age.

I have always replaced belts on all my vehicles regardless of mileage or age. Walking in bike gear has never appealed to me so just play it safe. That way you get to know the history of your bike.  

Belts are tougher then you think, buy a replacement belt, yes whip the cover off and inspect it for broken teeth and detoriation but in all honesty i think all will be well for years to come.

Replace the belt if you want and keep the old one as a spare.

Loose some weight and then your trousers will fit you or just buy the correct size next time.

Happy Swinging Fella

This drive belt issue is generating endless worrying and speculation. I can’t recall any posts I've read on here about a members belt breaking out on the road.

It isn’t a problem if you know the mileage of the belt, when it's due for it's next change, and change it at or maybe before the recommended mileage.

Then there's no need for these big bags of extra tools, home made holding tools, a spare new belt, the old belt you had changed in case it broke but it's comforting to have along like a toddlers blankie. Even if you are confident of your roadside mechanical skills.

There's now concerns about how long a new belt has been hanging about in a parts bin before someone buys it.    

Isn't it easier just to get out there and do some riding.

Here here, second that just get out and ride.

As people have said and I would do exactly the same, leave the belt it is within the mileage criteria,

I also never knew John had ridden all those miles on scooters he has never mentioned it before!,,,

Meldrew wrote:

Isn't it easier just to get out there and do some riding.

Last word. Thread locked.