Ease of spark plug change?

[Chris Cochran]

I'll be changing the plugs out on my '86 tomorrow. Are there any special tools needed to help out? I have ratchets/extension/original plug socket etc but is there anything else needed?

I will give them a shot of compressed air to blow out the crap in the plug well before starting.

[GrandpaDenny]

Nope, best tool is the OEM socket. Have fun

[SgtSlag]

I installed NGK Iridium plugs in mine, due to their lifespan: 100,000 miles in a car, hopefully the same in a bike. I expect the plugs, and my bike, to outlive me! The NGK Iridium plugs made an impressive difference in my '79 Honda, which had weak OEM coils. I figured in a stronger ignition system, such as my Voyager XII, they would almost never fail to fire, on top of lasting so very long.

They were, at the time, around $10/plug, but I felt it worth the expense. They've never given me any trouble since I installed them. I count it as money well spent. Good luck! Cheers!

[Nails]

I recommend using some kind of high-temp anti-seize in these aluminum heads. I just bought a spare head because I had to re-tap my #4 plug hole.(I bought it to keep on the shelf as karmic insurance against the one on my bike failing.)

[triton28]

Nails;
Perfect time to lap those 16 valves, polish and mildly open the ports and replace the valve stem seals while you are waiting for the installed one to fire a plug through the battery box, LOL.
Dave

[Chris Cochran]

For those that have never done this: Did the plug change. Total time perhaps an hour. Pretty easy. The plugs had threads on the tip, but the wires just popped on/off. Nothing screwed into them.

I am experimenting with posting pics. One is the additional tools needed aside from the original plug socket from the tool kit. Note the required band-aid on the left. 3/4" drive, two extensions and the 18MM socket fits on the actual plug socket seen in the next pic.

Old plugs were really rusty on outside and gapped at .038 while specs say do .032 - .036

And of course an air compressor with nozzle to blow out crap in the plug wells before pulling the plugs.

[Nails]

And of course an air compressor with nozzle to blow out crap in the plug wells before pulling the plugs.

Note the little channels that drain water from the sparkplug wells to below the carburetors. I use a piece of torch welding rod bent in an L, about 3" long on one side and 1/2" long on the handle. #2 is a bit hard to reach.

I've douched the wells (spark plug installed) with degreaser and then carb cleaner, in an effort to get more of the sand to blow out of the well -- if not down the drain.

[Chris Cochran]

Darn. I meant to look specifically for those holes and attend to them in some manner or other and then spaced it when the time came. Well, they'll still be there the next time I get that deep into it.

[Nails]

You can still get to them from the carburetor side.