Spark Plugs, replacing nightmare - SV650.org

24-05-05, 04:11 PM

I spent a good few hours in the shed trying to do this, according to the Haynes you have to remove the fairing to make access to the radiator easier so you can pivot it forwards.

I took off all the nuts, loosened the fairing panels apart but left them on still - I then detached the horn and tried to move the radiator forward after loosening the nuts for that - it moved a bit but nowhere near enough to give me access to the front cyclinder head.

Has anyone replaced their spark plugs (front really rear - under the tank I can do) and if so how did you get the radiator to pivot up enough to get access.

I'm not sure if one of the water hoses is causing the issue, whether that needs to come off as well but surely then I lose all my coolant?.

Also, if you removed the fairing completely, how easy was it to put back on, My bike is a 2000 reg SV650s so it's got the bikini fairing.

Cheers

24-05-05, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buff

Has anyone replaced their spark plugs (front really rear - under the tank I can do) and if so how did you get the radiator to pivot up enough to get access.

You pivot the radiator down not up!

There should be enough give in the hoses to move it out of the way.

24-05-05, 05:14 PM

Hi Buff

I've done min a couple of months ago.
I didn't remove the fairing.

Just remove the horn, unscrew the one bolt that holds the radiator in place and then push it all the way forward.

I did it all with the toolkit that came with the bike.

embee · 24-05-05, 05:19 PM

remember you have to unplug the fairing sides from the radiator rubber grommets.

I usually loosen the radiator top mounts though that's probably not essential (rubber mounts).

I wedge the rad forward between the cyl head and the rad mount on the right hand side. It is a bit tight but you can just do it.

A piece of stiff card against the rad fins on the back face helps protect it a bit, even rubbing your hand against it will flatten fins while you wrestle getting the front plug out.

24-05-05, 06:22 PM

We appear to have varying opinions here about whether to pivot the rad at the top or the bottom! The only time I've changed plugs I'm sure I left the top mounts in and pushed the bottom of it forwards.

24-05-05, 06:37 PM

i changed both mine in about half an hour, simply undid the rads mount on the cam cover, loosened off the fairings and swung the rad out the way enough to get a plug socket on there, you dont need to remove the fairings just loosen them so you can flex them to let the rad come out its mounts on the fairing panels

24-05-05, 08:36 PM

Never had bike or car that required research prior to doing such a basic task as checking a spark plug. All the above adive is spot on. Take out the three screws either side of the faifing and pull each side off the rubber grommet. Remove the horn bracket and pull the bottom of the rad far enough forward so that the bottom hose is just about straight. That should JUST ABOUT give you enough room to get the supplied plug wrench in - be carefull not to damage the fins on the dar. I did mine and experienced exactly the same frustration....good luck and take your time !!

northwind · 24-05-05, 08:43 PM

Or you can drop the whole radiator down past the head if you want more space to work in for some reason- if you undo the left hand engine bolt that restricts the hose, and remove the fan, you can get unrestricted access to the head and even check valve clearances, remove cams etc no probs. Overkill for plugs but it's nice to know I think.

25-05-05, 07:25 AM

er i didnt take horn off, just fairing and tank and moved radiator forward to get to both of mine, easy as pie

25-05-05, 07:49 AM

Just remember that you use a spanner with the plug remover tool, it took me half an hour to work this out, but I'm a bit thick in this area

.

.

24-05-05, 04:11 PM	#1
red5 Guest Posts: n/a	Spark Plugs, replacing nightmare I spent a good few hours in the shed trying to do this, according to the Haynes you have to remove the fairing to make access to the radiator easier so you can pivot it forwards. I took off all the nuts, loosened the fairing panels apart but left them on still - I then detached the horn and tried to move the radiator forward after loosening the nuts for that - it moved a bit but nowhere near enough to give me access to the front cyclinder head. Has anyone replaced their spark plugs (front really rear - under the tank I can do) and if so how did you get the radiator to pivot up enough to get access. I'm not sure if one of the water hoses is causing the issue, whether that needs to come off as well but surely then I lose all my coolant?. Also, if you removed the fairing completely, how easy was it to put back on, My bike is a 2000 reg SV650s so it's got the bikini fairing. Cheers

24-05-05, 08:36 PM	#7
Banus Guest Posts: n/a	front plug Never had bike or car that required research prior to doing such a basic task as checking a spark plug. All the above adive is spot on. Take out the three screws either side of the faifing and pull each side off the rubber grommet. Remove the horn bracket and pull the bottom of the rad far enough forward so that the bottom hose is just about straight. That should JUST ABOUT give you enough room to get the supplied plug wrench in - be carefull not to damage the fins on the dar. I did mine and experienced exactly the same frustration....good luck and take your time !!

24-05-05, 08:43 PM	#8
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	Or you can drop the whole radiator down past the head if you want more space to work in for some reason- if you undo the left hand engine bolt that restricts the hose, and remove the fan, you can get unrestricted access to the head and even check valve clearances, remove cams etc no probs. Overkill for plugs but it's nice to know I think. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Quick One - Spark Plugs	gman	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	3	17-06-07 06:24 PM
spark plugs	daddy_sperm	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	12	01-03-06 06:12 AM
Spark Plugs	fred_dillon	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	5	19-06-05 06:45 PM
Spark Plugs	valleyboy	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	15	18-05-05 07:51 AM
spark plugs	weegaz22	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	4	04-08-03 05:04 PM

24-05-05, 05:14 PM	#3
SpankyHam Guest Posts: n/a	Hi Buff I've done min a couple of months ago. I didn't remove the fairing. Just remove the horn, unscrew the one bolt that holds the radiator in place and then push it all the way forward. I did it all with the toolkit that came with the bike.

24-05-05, 05:19 PM	#4
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,804	remember you have to unplug the fairing sides from the radiator rubber grommets. I usually loosen the radiator top mounts though that's probably not essential (rubber mounts). I wedge the rad forward between the cyl head and the rad mount on the right hand side. It is a bit tight but you can just do it. A piece of stiff card against the rad fins on the back face helps protect it a bit, even rubbing your hand against it will flatten fins while you wrestle getting the front plug out.

24-05-05, 06:22 PM	#5
chazzyb Guest Posts: n/a	We appear to have varying opinions here about whether to pivot the rad at the top or the bottom! The only time I've changed plugs I'm sure I left the top mounts in and pushed the bottom of it forwards.

24-05-05, 06:37 PM	#6
weegaz22 Guest Posts: n/a	i changed both mine in about half an hour, simply undid the rads mount on the cam cover, loosened off the fairings and swung the rad out the way enough to get a plug socket on there, you dont need to remove the fairings just loosen them so you can flex them to let the rad come out its mounts on the fairing panels

25-05-05, 07:25 AM	#9
Bikerz Guest Posts: n/a	er i didnt take horn off, just fairing and tank and moved radiator forward to get to both of mine, easy as pie

25-05-05, 07:49 AM	#10
jonboy Guest Posts: n/a	Just remember that you use a spanner with the plug remover tool, it took me half an hour to work this out, but I'm a bit thick in this area . .