Spark plug wire removal

[rek58]

Did a search and came up with an answer from last year, so I thought I'd check to see if anyone had an update. Just going through the new purchase (01 RSV), changing the oil, filters, etc. Also replacing the plugs. Well the back two are a piece of cake, left front was a bit of a challenge, but was able to get the plug wire out, pretty easily, by lifting towards the front of the bike, there's a little gap up there. The right front is another story. The answer I found was to just yank it out. Is that still the preferred method? Also found out that NGK plugs don't fit the 5/8" plug socket that the manual suggests you use. Kind of a pain in the butt, but the back two are easy to reach, my regular 18 mm socket doesn't have the rubber in it. After loosening the left front, couldn't get my meat hooks in there to grab the plug. Used a short length (4-5") of 3/8" fuel line, pushed it over the top of the plug, pulled it out. You can use the same method for the install, works pretty good.

[az1103]

Sounds like too much work to avoid some work .

It takes less than 5 minutes to pull the tank and bypass the finger twisting and fingernail breaking.

[rek58]

I have pulled the tank, the plug wire is hitting the frame just enough so that it doesn't clear the the valve cover.

[Steve S]

rek58.

The plug wire hitting the frame is an easy fix. Just fire up the torch and cut a 3 inch circular cut out of the frame:thumbsup2:. NO MORE wire hitting. Oh wait. The frame supports other stuff too doesn't it???... Sigh... See what happens when you come home from the hospital after brain surgery with your certification signed by The Wizzard of Oz...:stirthepot:

[V7Goose]

Sorry - can't help you at all here. I have changed the plugs in my 05 without any problems at all (and no, I did not have to "yank" on any wires). I don't mean to be a smart-ass, but I just cannot figure out what may be causing your problems. I did remove the tank and the top engine mounts (less than five minutes total for both), but nothing else was needed to change the plugs. And I'm 6'5" and can rarely find gloves big enough for me, so my hands are not particularly small! I hope you get it figured out.

Goose

[rek58]

Hey Goose, That was the one thing I didn't do, remove the engine mount, that would have solved the problem easily. I was actually able to slide everything over enought to get at the plug. Job is complete, next time, I'll pull the mounts. Thanks