'03 R1150R single spark
I bought the bike with 6k on it last year, now I've got 18K and it's time to change the plugs.. but it didn't come with a tool kit... I've got most everything... BUT.. the spark plug wrench... I've been too lazy to call the local dealer (90 miles away) and get the normal kit wrench.. but I really want a socket so I can torque it correctly... so...
I'm trying to find a decent socket that WILL FIT.. so I can change my plugs... I know I could get a Snap-On extra long socket... but I'm waaaaayyyy too cheap to spend 90 bucks on one friggin socket...
Somebody told me that a thin wall Sears will work... nope... tried that... then someone said a Kobalt...
... anybody know what will REALLY work.. otherwise, I've got to ride to Iowa City... which is ok.. good excuse to put 300 miles on in a day.. (of course I wouldn't dream of taking the short way ) but.. I really would rather have a socket...
Re: Tool kit help please?
by jfslater98 » Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:26 pm
For the spark plug socket, if you don't have a lathe: the Home Depot Husky Spark plug socket will work without getting stuck. This is hard won information. 04 Orange Rock "Rustor"
I haven't tried it myself, but this member claims the Home Depot Husky brand will work without any modification.
I turned one down to fit on a lathe. Maybe you could grind one if you don't have (access to) a lathe?
Also, if you do have to go to the dealer, pick yourself up one of those (inexpensive plastic) sparkplug-wire boot-pullers to save yourself from possibly destroying an (expensive) ignition wire!
I got a long deep socket at a local auto shop for 10-15 bucks, and it works with no modification. The socket has PT W38/62 CR-V etched next to the size. Hope this may save you a long trip.
Re: Tool kit help please?
by jfslater98 » Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:26 pm
For the spark plug socket, if you don't have a lathe: the Home Depot Husky Spark plug socket will work without getting stuck. This is hard won information. 04 Orange Rock "Rustor"
I haven't tried it myself, but this member claims the Home Depot Husky brand will work without any modification.
Hope that helps
+1 on the Husky. They may still be available @ places like TractorSupply, which is where I bought mine, or your local Ace Hardware-type stores.
The 5/8" is thin-walled enuf and works perfectly........
j magda
TripleLifer Member 454
04 Black (the Classiest Color) R1150R
Deep in the OH wasteland...
This is a long story I suffered myself.
The solution is in Walmart at the lawn and garden area. Get a "Spark Wrench" for 3.97$, its code is 0024844711267. It works for the primary plugs perfectly. It doesn't for the secondary plugs... all you need to do to fix this is to file the external corners of the hexagonal shape of the tool, just a little bit all of them, this will be enough for it to penetrate the tighter hole of the secondary plugs.
This tool comes with a bar and holes in it so you can apply torque with it.., if you don't like that and you'd like to use a socket wrench, then you can buy a long socket that fits tight inside the other end of the tool and use some epoxy to fix it to it ( the more the better, and remember to file the externals of the socket to make its surface the roughest possible).
I didn't need to do this as a quarter to half a turn is good enough for the plug to be correctly placed. No less, no more. ( I mean when the plug is brand new and you are placing it for the first time). I you need to use use a ratchet to apply a specific torque then affixing a long socket as I'm telling can become handy.
Regarding prior comments I can tell the solution at Harbor Freight works for the the primary plugs only not the secondaries, where it is not thin enough. Filing that tool would be much harder (all around) than filing just the corners of the hexagon as I said before.
I went down to Home Depot last week and they had a three socket set on the rack. PN: 379 438 The 5/8 socket fit without any interference in the head for the primary and no interference with the secondary. Looked for the lone 5/8 socket but to no avail, but at 9.95 for the set not to bad.
Bench grinder for less than 10 minutes and you have machined your own, but you will need to epoxy an extension so it does not come lose and stays with the spark plug!
Could you please tell what the length is for the socket that works for the primary plugs?
Is there any risk of it getting stuck in the cavity, and then you being unable to pull it out?
It happened to me once, it got really complicated.
That's why I prefer a long socket or tool as the one I bought in Walmart, it may be not that nice I mean plated or nicely terminated, but it works and there is no problem nearby you when using it.
) but.. I really would rather have a socket... 
