spark plug swap

[hobs]

How do you guys get the two rear spark plugs out on the ST1100 without loosening and removing some fairings? Did my first swap over of spark plugs with the bike all together. Did it before when the bike was being restored and stripped. Getting a socket and ratchet into the recesses to remove and replace the plugs was more that ingeneious jiggling, poking and straining to get it done. Is it always like this and is there a special tool to assist in this job, or is my bike a little distorted and it shouldn't be that difficult. Wasn't really hard to do, just a fiddle.

Hobs.

[Brock]

You changed the Plugs???? Mine only have some where between 70 -100000 Ks on em..

[alans1100]

How do you guys get the two rear spark plugs out on the ST1100 without loosening and removing some fairings? Did my first swap over of spark plugs with the bike all together. Did it before when the bike was being restored and stripped. Getting a socket and ratchet into the recesses to remove and replace the plugs was more that ingeneious jiggling, poking and straining to get it done. Is it always like this and is there a special tool to assist in this job, or is my bike a little distorted and it shouldn't be that difficult. Wasn't really hard to do, just a fiddle.

Hobs.

You don't have the supplied spark plug tool in the tool kit.

Looks like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CBR900-CBR900RR-ST1100-ST-1100-VF750-VF750C-VF750CD-SPARK-PLUG-WRENCH-OEM-/140922006902?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20cf9b2d76

[hobs]

don't have a tool kit. Didn't come with the bike when I bought it. Didn't know it had one at the time I bought it and didn't think to ask. They would have been unused if he had them. Didn't know how old the existing plugs were, like everything else on the bike,like filters, oil, lubrication, brake & clutch fluid, coolant, etc. Thats why I have changed everything, and lately the plugs as the bike has been running a little rough and it wasn't expensive to buy them, to be sure, to be sure.

Thanks Alan for the info. That is what I imagined would be needed when I was doing the job. Used my 3/8 drive plug socket set. Had to disengage the extension and leave the loose spark plug and socket in the recess, then spotted the little Aussie flag from Australia day celebrations with the little hollow stem on the flag. Pushed the 'flag pole' down the plug recess, through the end of the plug socket and fitted nicely over the thread of the spark plug and pulled them out together. Put the new plug and socket back in the same way and refitted the extension and ratchet and tightened.

How is that for Aussie inventiveness.

[alans1100]

At least you can get to the plugs on the 1100.

The ones in my car are all hidden away.........can't see a spark plug lead anywhere.

I was going to put new ones in mine today but I can't seem to find the gap tool.......on the shopping list for when we go to Port Augusta next week and pick up the coolant bottle.