Coolant and spark plug change on K9 - how?

Hey guys! This is my first time, ever!
Have been reading for awhile on how to get this done and I have come across a youtube video :

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNHqmGKqMdk
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-73lbw7eaMI

I was looking at spark plugs here and found the Denso Spark plug U24ESR-N:

http://spark-plugs.co.uk/index.php/p.../U22ESR-N/1132

…as specified in the manual, and the U22ESR-N as well. I ride a lot in the wet, the rain doesn’t bother me, so:

1. Should I get the wet one or the standard one?
2. How many will I need?
3. Can I get engine coolant from Halford’s? I know I’ll have to mix it with distilled water in a 50:50 ratio.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_255224#tab4

4. Where does one buy engine coolant from usually? Ebay and online sites seem to have quite high shipping charges so I was wondering if a local pick up would be the best thing for me.

5. My chain is really tight. Will I be able to loosen it without a paddock stand? Where can I find instructions for this apart from the manual?

I’ve looked online but most people do it with a paddock stand!
I have the SV650 K9 Sport. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Shawthing]

1. I'd stick with standard U24ESR-N or NGK CR8E unless your bike's not running right hot or cold.
2. 4
3. Yes Halfords Red. You only need 1 litre of the concentrate if diluting with distilled water.
4. See 3.
5. Service manual is pretty explanitary. As long as you have the torge wrench and correct sockets this is the easiest job of the lot. Tight chain is bad, check chain condition and any reason why it's like this (it's usual for chains to go slack). Sort this first of all.

Or:

3&4. You can pick up pre-mixed stuff from your local bike store/mechanic. Lift up the tank and the reservoir access is next to it. Best to use a funnel to get it in. If you overfill, there a bleed screw on the right hand side, next to the engine cover. Don't overfill.

Chain - The manual says to measure the slack on the sidestand. Read the manual for the amount of slack and measure ... just read this thread - http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=183575

If the chain is tight, then it is probably gubbed and best to get it changed sharpish. You can adjust the chain on the padock stand, it will need to be slacker than on the side stand though. Or find the tight spot on the padock stand then adjust it on the sidestand.

@Shawthing: Wilco. Its been adjusted now. Did about 200miles, felt perfect before and after.

@Runako: I'm in Worcester, small place, I don't know anyone who i'd trust to buy from without overpaying ! I have the manual, will follow instructions from the vid as well.

@GagginForraPint: done

Will i have to remove my fairings to get to the bleed screw? And with regards to overfilling, it says to fill to the top and ensure no bubbles. How much more can one overfill?

Will post a pic for chain reference soon!

[aesmith]

Originally Posted by GagginForraPint

... You can adjust the chain on the padock stand, it will need to be slacker than on the side stand though. ...

Just wondering why you say that, or are you assuming the paddock stand takes the weight off the rear suspension? (Mine doesn't, it lifts by the swinging arm).

Tony S

Originally Posted by lordra

@Shawthing: Wilco. Its been adjusted now. Did about 200miles, felt perfect before and after.

@Runako: I'm in Worcester, small place, I don't know anyone who i'd trust to buy from without overpaying ! I have the manual, will follow instructions from the vid as well.

@GagginForraPint: done

Will i have to remove my fairings to get to the bleed screw? And with regards to overfilling, it says to fill to the top and ensure no bubbles. How much more can one overfill?

Will post a pic for chain reference soon!

Re coolant - Sure you can mix it. But I went to one garage and said "can I get some coolant for my bike". Answer: "Oh sorry, we only do coolant for Ducati ... I have no idea what an SV uses".

Went to a better garage. "Do you sell pre-mixed coolant?" Answer: "Sure, here it is. Its universal stuff and is just the coolant and de-ionised water premixed". Job done.

Right hand fairing. I have a K9 and there is a fill level on the reservoir (left hand side between frame and fuel tank). So in my case yes it can be overfilled. But you are right in the sense that you can fill incrementally and wait for it to settle. Or run the engine for a bit, leave it for a bit and top up as necessary.

Originally Posted by Runako

I have a K9 and there is a fill level on the reservoir (left hand side between frame and fuel tank). So in my case yes it can be overfilled. But you are right in the sense that you can fill incrementally and wait for it to settle. Or run the engine for a bit, leave it for a bit and top up as necessary.

I have a K9 too! Yea, I saw the reservoir...Yea, I suppose so... I'll do what you said anyways...
Fill, run, leave it, top up...!

See, I don't know where to go. Don't know any garages close by, Halfords want £9 for a litre of their coolant concentrate and £1.89 per litre of de-ionised water. The mixed stuff they sell is with normal water, according to the bloke in store. Asda do £0.48 per litre of de-ionised water. So I'm going there. Any cheaper place to buy the anti-freeze? Online is too expensive.

The manual specifies spark plug gap. How on earth will I measure this without that tool?

Originally Posted by lordra

The manual specifies spark plug gap. How on earth will I measure this without that tool?

You are discovering what I did months ago, and no doubt many others. Halfords sell the gap tool you need. If following Haynes then get the one with the right clearance to measure the gap.

HOWEVER

Having read on the net that they are pre-gapped out of the Factory (in my case Iridium CRE's), the gap was inevitably correct. The tool is now gathering dust.

So my advice is, rather than buy one, ask a mate or someone closeby to lend you one. I'm sure there are other creative ways you can measure this but, truly, the only reason I bothered to measure is because the plugs were such a bugger to change I wanted to make sure it was done right first time and I'd not have to go back in there and take them out.

As for garages nearby:

http://www.suttonmotorcycles.com/
http://www.ams4ktm.co.uk/
http://www.skellerns.co.uk/worcester/

Are any of these in your proximity? They are dealerships but offer services as well so will have all the fluids and stuff.