dose anyone know for defo if the standard spark plugs are the irridium type. I've just done my winter service and while I had the fairing panels off I changed the air fliter. had no intentions of changing the spark plugs due to me only covering 8,000 miles. I understand kawasaki recommend the plugs to be change at 7,500 miles, but surely there is no need to change them at such low miles. I would have thought you would get at least 15,000 miles from a set of plugs and if they were irridium plugs then at least 20,000 miles. As anyone changed the original factory fitted plugs on the gtr and were they the irridium type. if you have replaced the plugs, did you find the excess to the plugs was adequate enough or did you struggle with limited excess. once the fairngs panels are off, you would need to remove both fairings stays, both subframe brackets, the air suction valve cover and either remove or push aside a few cables and elec blocks to only gain limited excess to the stick coils and plugs. space is very limited at best and if you are considering changing your plugs for the first time I suggest you use the 16mm plug spanner in the standard tool kit. and just a tip.. that some may not be aware off :smiley: when replacing plugs were excess is limited, I always cut a 5 inch lenth of hose pipe and split one end so it's a tight fit and just slides over the nut part of the spark plug, I always put some "copper paste" on the plug thread which allows the plug to screw in easier. the hose pipe tube is flexible enough to maneuver over and into the plug recess hole, then you can turn the hose pipe tube "by hand" to screw the plug in place. if the plug is on the right thread you will beable to screw the plug in till it bites then give it a 1/4 turn with the plug spanner :smiley: if the hose pipe tube spins round the plug nut when starting to screw the plug in, then it's possible you have started to cross thread the plug, "at this point there will be no damaged done to the thread" just back off till the plug is loose and realign the plug.. you will know when all is well, you will have a steady amount of pressure turning the hose pipe tube till the plug sits and bites. don't mean to teach anyone to "suck eggs" :nono: just a tip that will be valuable and will ensure the plugs don't damaged the "thread in the head".. :smiley:
I don't know much, but I do know they are a pain.
Both my GTR's have run up to 25k before I (Bournemouth Kawasaki) changed them.
Without problems.
Neil
just what I thought.. must be another money making "totally unnecessary procedure" by kawasaki to line the dealers pockets :hammer:
Just done my second service today at 7783 miles and I have no intention of changing plugs, done all the usual fluids and went all round the bike back to front checking brakes etc.
When they need doing then that's what I shall get a quote for, the rest me and my garage man can do.
Alan
Gave the bike a service last week 12k and because I had the side off for the air filter I had a new set of plugs in for the sake 30 quid. The plugs that came out were in perfect condition so if you don't want to do them don't.
It did feel more lively but everything was done to it.
Just one point. If you are going to change your plugs wear something on your arms and some gloves because you will lose your skin as the space is so tight to work in.
Quote from: trousersnake01 on October 27, 2012, 06:11:15 PM
Gave the bike a service last week 12k and because I had the side off for the air filter I had a new set of plugs in for the sake 30 quid. The plugs that came out were in perfect condition so if you don't want to do them don't.
It did feel more lively but everything was done to it.
Just one point. If you are going to change your plugs wear something on your arms and some gloves because you will lose your skin as the space is so tight to work in.
:clap: someone as took the plunge :wink: I assume the plugs you removed where the original ones "As from the factory when bike was new" if so where they irridium or standard n.g.k. also I'm courious to find out what you needed to move to gain excess the coil sticks and plugs. I did have a nosey around while I had the panels off, it looks like you would need to remove both fairing stays, both subframe brackets and a few odds and sods to even gain limited excess, or did you find a easier way.
My dealer takes care of the more major servicing of my bike :yes:
Spoke to a rep from NGK at one of the shows and although he would not say when to change them he did say that VW change similar plugs at 60,000miles.
Quote from: Ubertours on October 28, 2012, 06:04:03 PM
Spoke to a rep from NGK at one of the shows and although he would not say when to change them he did say that VW change similar plugs at 60,000miles.
best time to change the plugs, would be when the shims are checked at 24,000 miles :yes: I think 60,000 miles would be a tad ambitious for a high revving motorcycle engine :yes: but halving that mileage would be easily achieved. I did buy a 1998 cbr 600 fw with 31,000 miles on the clock which was still running on the original n.g.k plugs, the guy said he has not change them because the bike still runs like it did when he bought it from new. I bought the bike to try my hand at a few track days :smiley: so I did remove the plugs to fit irridium plugs, even after over 30,000 miles the original n.g.k plugs still looked to be in good condition. providing my gtr keeps running like it dose now :smiley: I've no intentions of changing the plugs or let a dealer anywhere near it. if it's not broke, don't fix it :smiley:
Having done the plugs, I have to say now it would be easy to do it again.
Yes sides off then the brackets both sides, I think 3 bolts each. Very limited space. If you are DIY its a massive risk in case something goes wrong. There is no space under there at all.
The only thing I would advise is that what ever you take off, put the bolt back in the hole as you will have a lot lying about. The bracket you take off behind the faring , there is one bolt to come out that is hidden underneath so just have a good look about behind bits.
Change spark plugs done at 26,000 km, for me do not very easy to do, requires dexterity and attention in quite tighten the spark plugs
(http://i46.tinypic.com/23wqhz5.jpg)
MGvalerio. :cool:
Mine were swapped out at 25k miles and looked like new so I assume they were Iridium.
I'll change them again when I next get the valves checked although even then it'll be a waste of money IMHO.
Quote from: Boomer on October 31, 2012, 05:15:34 PM
Mine were swapped out at 25k miles and looked like new so I assume they were Iridium.
I'll change them again when I next get the valves checked although even then it'll be a waste of money IMHO.
:yes:
I copy and paste.
MGvalerio. :cool: