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YB11 Spark plug change

 
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tlmania



Joined: 17 Jun 2010
Posts: 17
Location: Devon UK

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 2:52 pm    Post subject: YB11 Spark plug change Reply with quote

Boy it looks tight in there. Is t possible to change the plugs without taking the whole thing apart ? Looks to me like you have to drop the engine.....
Mine's only just gone over 11k, the service record I got with it has them listed as changed at 7500 miles but I've had it 5 or so years so it's time to do them.

Any advice welcome
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2bims



Joined: 03 Apr 2010
Posts: 7289

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeh it is tight in there....I bought a "special" really thin walled long socket....same size as for a spark plug.....and then you put a couple of swivel joints from your socket set on it....and this will then let you reach and remove the 2 inner spark plugs that are a real problem otherwise...no need to unbolt or drop the engine....

I got the socket from a specialist tool shop....Joseph Gleave.....maybe Halfords or MachineMart etc have similar....just dont ask for a spark plug socket...16mm socket from recollection...and needs to be 45mm or more long internally from bottom to underside of where square chuck from wrench fits....to be long enough to sleeve over the sparkplug and reach the hex on the plug...if you catch my drift
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Pud



Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Location: West Yorkshire

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 4:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can do it without dropping the engine Very Happy I did mine a couple of years back and yes it's very tight - I tried from above after removing the airbox etc. but I think I got at them from the front eventually - you'll need to remove the radiator/fans etc and it's just possible to slide a spark plug spanner down the holes and onto the plugs. Then you can use another spanner to turn the plug spanner about a quarter turn at a time. You have to feel your way round a bit as you can't always see to get in, but it's not too bad once you get started.
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Pud
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Pud



Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Location: West Yorkshire

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 4:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeh, as 2bims says it needs to be a thin walled spanner - ones from socket sets wont go down the holes!
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Pud
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2bims



Joined: 03 Apr 2010
Posts: 7289

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeh....if you use your exisiting socket set to continually "drop" ever increasing size sockets down to the spark plugs....you'll find the limit on the size of socket (diameter) that you need...yeh...airbox off, and I think I took the rad and fan off also...but was stripping everything at the time anyhow.....afraid I dont have the specific socket I bought anymore (or else I'd measure it for you...I passed it on when I sold the YB11

Think it was only a couple of quid for a proper draper thin walled socket that did the job...and if you have the socket swivels you can remove with bigger turns....
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tlmania



Joined: 17 Jun 2010
Posts: 17
Location: Devon UK

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 5:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Popped to my mates, got a selection of sockets (I have 3/4 sockets, but no 18mm !!) and with the help of my wobble bars and having used up half of the english swear words I'm 3 down, 1 to go.

Big smiles all round, it's time for more coffee.

Thanks for the help and encouragement you guys.

Giles[/list]
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philfingers



Joined: 05 Sep 2009
Posts: 337
Location: Bimota Capital of the UK, Kidderminster

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 9:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easy enough with right tools, no need to remove rad or fans either. My bikes not easily accessible but I think I have the tools to hand if you need help
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03 YB11, 03 Aprilia RSVR Edwards, 94 Ducati Superlight III, 95 Honda NC30, 04 Ducati 999S, 91 kawasaki KR1-S C2, 91 Ducati 851 USD Strada, 89 ZXR750H1, 90 ZXR400H1, 205 16v Rally Car, A6 2.7TDI Avant, STM R1 engined Phoenix
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philfingers



Joined: 05 Sep 2009
Posts: 337
Location: Bimota Capital of the UK, Kidderminster

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 9:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easy enough with right tools, no need to remove rad or fans either. My bikes not easily accessible but I think I have the tools to hand if you need help
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03 YB11, 03 Aprilia RSVR Edwards, 94 Ducati Superlight III, 95 Honda NC30, 04 Ducati 999S, 91 kawasaki KR1-S C2, 91 Ducati 851 USD Strada, 89 ZXR750H1, 90 ZXR400H1, 205 16v Rally Car, A6 2.7TDI Avant, STM R1 engined Phoenix
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bimotabob



Joined: 06 Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Location: New Zealand

PostPosted: Sun May 24, 2015 1:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have done a lot of kms and an engine swap from 1989 EXUP to 1997 Thunderace and was hard first time i changed the plugs as i took the radiator out . However its now no stress at all. I can do the plugs with just tank fairing off and airbox and maybe ignition coils. Outside ones are easiery with taking the main fairing off. I use 3/8 normal spark plug socket, short and medium extension and universal, also brought a wobble bit that allows misalignment which is useful. Also YB11 frame is different so procedure maybe harder or easier than my YB8.

Valve clearance is the thing that annoys me, spark plugs no sweat.
I think tilting the motor for valve clearances possible without engine right out.


Run NGK iridium plugs off ebay as they seem mint. I got advice for ones to use off the net as many people have tried and tested best ones. Can give you the spec if need be.
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bimotanige



Joined: 12 Jul 2010
Posts: 582
Location: yorkshire

PostPosted: Sun May 24, 2015 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

if you haven't done the plugs yet, the cheap and nasty looking T bar spark plug spanner with knuckle joints from Halfords works fine on the inner plugs.
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