Spark plug wrench

Morning everyone (who reads this in the morning).

Im changing spark plugs on my sv650s (2000).
Living in lala land i thought this would be a five minuet job (but i was gravely mistaken).

Turns out that the toolkit i got with my bike was not the standard one (he just thre a random one in there when i asked if he had a toolkit for the bike).
So the spark plug wrench i have is a 12mm
Now that doesn't really help, so i got a 10mm from hallfords, but it turns out that won't fit in there either unles i remove the radiator.
Now this seems to be taking it to extreemes if you have to remove your radiator to get the spark plug out.
Can someone recommend something for this?
Or anyone living around north london who wants to part with a spark plug wrench (preferable before the weekend so i can do it then).

I don't think you have to 'remove' the radiator - can you not just loosen it, and move it out of the way whilst it is still connected to the hoses

Well i can pull it back, but not enought to get the silly wrench i have in there.
Suppose i should get another type of wrench, since the one i have looks like the blue lower one in this picture:

Somewhere in Toad Hall I have the toolkit from my old SV - I can bring in the spark plug wrench tomorrow, but I'm leaving work (Knightsbridge) at 1:00

any use

[Viney]

The front plug is the mother of all designs. It really is just easier to drop the radiator out the way. Pop a side pannel off, unplug the fan and remove the horn, undo the top 2 bolts off the rad, and down she comes. You can then get a proper spark plug socket in there. Job done, about 20 mins do do the fornt after a bit of practice.

Originally Posted by localhost

Well i can pull it back, but not enought to get the silly wrench i have in there.
Suppose i should get another type of wrench, since the one i have looks like the blue lower one in this picture:

The genuine article is long and hinged, I guess like the blue one shown. Though it's a while since I used it so, can't remember where the hinge is. As far as I can remember, you need to be able to hinge it to feed it in to the plug'ole. I removed the lower rad mount (horn goes there too on curvy) and put a short block of wood in to hold the rad out as far as it would go - only two of three inches from memory.

Originally Posted by Mr Toad

Somewhere in Toad Hall I have the toolkit from my old SV - I can bring in the spark plug wrench tomorrow, but I'm leaving work (Knightsbridge) at 1:00

any use

That is increadibly nice of you.
I won't be able to make it tomorrow however, but that is really kind.


How long is the wrench that comes with the toolkit?
It seems to be there the problem is.
If i can find one equaly long, 10mm, i should be able to get it out.

I might go with what Viney says as well.
Might have a go at moving the radiator a bit further out of the way to get the wrench in there.
Just hope i don't mess anything up so badly i won't be able to get it back

[Viney]

Originally Posted by localhost

That is increadibly nice of you.
I won't be able to make it tomorrow however, but that is really kind.


How long is the wrench that comes with the toolkit?
It seems to be there the problem is.
If i can find one equaly long, 10mm, i should be able to get it out.

I might go with what Viney says as well.
Might have a go at moving the radiator a bit further out of the way to get the wrench in there.
Just hope i don't mess anything up so badly i won't be able to get it back

Its really not that difficult. Its a pain yes. You will end up bending the fins on the radiator if you are not careful. I found that the wrench in the SV kit is rubbish. it really is a god awful design to say the least.

Now, what i would like to hear is how the mechanical gods do it (Et Squid and Rictus)

loosen one bolt at bottom or rad....move rad over..(might have to remove horn)...use an original wrench (if can get hold of one....5 minite job!

I've changed the plugs to iridium so should never need to change again

Anyhow, in answer to original question, I found that using a normal 10mm spark plug socket, 1/2" drive, and a very short (2" extension) you can remove/replace with a normal ratchet.
Obviously you need to do what everyone else suggested re. Rads and side panels, but I found this the easiest way.

Also, when putting new plug back I pushed it in the 'plug socket' rubber washer holdy thing, put my finger in the 1/2" square hole (ooeerr) and twisted it with my finger a couple of turns to start the thread, without 'cross threading'. Then gently pushed the extension and ratchet on whilst in positon. Fiddly but worked for me!!

(Long answer to short question....)