spark plug removal

[psychokilla]

ok so tomorow night im gonna change plugs and i neva got a clear answer on my otha post as too wether ot not i need to remove the tank to get to the inner plugs..can anyone let me no if it can be done without removing it and if i need to slide the tank back can i just unbolt it and slide it or do i need to unhook lines?

[ExTex]

I think that you will find that it is so much easier to change the plugs with the gas tank removed that it is well worth the removal effort.

Only 1 bolt and 2 hoses on the gas tank; plus 2 bolts on the seat. 
Just remember which nipple the small hose goes on or remove it at the engine rather than the petcock.


You will have acccess to blow out the plug cavity to remove all dirt and rocks before removing the plug. 
And a lot more room to insure that you get the plugs started straight.

Ride safely,

[psychokilla]

ok so im not really mechanically inclined but i got my dad and my mechanic but my question is do i have to remove the gas in the tank or no?

[NightHawked]

I would think you should have a petcock with a fuel shutoff on the bottom of the tank, turn it to off.

[ken99287]

uhh.... do you HAVE to? No.

BUT it will be much much easier and safer to do the spark plug removal with the tank off, even factoring in the extra work of taking the tank off.

The tank is held on by one bolt and the two hoses at the petcock. The seat needs to come off before the tank can come off. I guess there are two bolts holding the seat down? (I don't know, I don't have your bike)

The advantages are:

1. You can blow the crap off of the spark plug area before taking them out so they don't fall into the engine and cause internal damage.

2. You will have much room to work, just stick an extension on your socket and spin it around and around and around - as opposed to 10 degrees at a time, banging into the tank and the valve covers the whole while.

3. The overall job will probably be faster if you remove the tank first.



BUT no, you don't NEED to take the tank off.

[ak85lp]

If you have about a foot of 1/4 fuel line, stick that on the end of the plug and feed it into the hole. You can use this to start the plugs and they will thread in easier and you will not risk stripping them. On my 82 the plug hole is very hard to get to.

[Brittles]

Yeah, take the tank off. I wouldn't want to do it with a full tank of gas. A gallon or so won't matter........the more gas in the tank, the heavier the tank is and more chance for a mishap.

[gammer]

1. You can blow the crap off of the spark plug area before taking them out so they don't fall into the engine and cause internal damage.

+1

Yes...there is usually debris and crap around the spark plugs. Be sure to blow the spark plug area out with compressed air before you remove the plugs. This will prevent junk from falling in your cylinders.
I also back my plugs out half way and give them another shot of air, just to be sure anything hiding in there is clear.