1VJ Tools (Plug Spanner)
 

Hi,
can anyone tell me what was meant to be in the missing toolkit for my 1VJ? At the moment I am can't find a 14mm plug spanner that will fit all the way down to undo the plug fortunately it has done less than 10 thousand KM since a Dave Lambeth rebuild so I am not too worried but it would be nice to have the comfort of knowing that I can get it out if I need too.

Thanks in advance

Steve

PS Is it usual to lower the engine to check the valve clearances?

Measure the spark plug across the flats & buy a box spanner of the right size. This is what I had to do for my old KLX650.

Steve

Cheers Steve,
I have a 14mm plug spanner in socket it is finding one that is long and narrow enough. Its like extracting a plug from the bottom of the Marianus Trench. Not ideal design feature really

Steve

Steve,

The plug in the bike is a platinum jobbie and is good for a CONSIDERABLE mileage before removal is necessary. Check with D Lambet for the exact mileage but I seem to remember 20000 miles. The spanner I used was an old one from a GPZ500s toolkit. A lot of bike toolkits have long spanners. If you cant get one from a scrap yard get a catalouge from ORO (off road only) and you'll find what you need in there.

As for the valves, nope you dont have to move the engine. Although the tappets can be a bitch to get at. I got some old feeler gauges and removed them from their bunch. I heated them until they glowed red and then bent the tips over. If you dont heat them, they snap! When they cool you can get them in to the tappets far more easily (after you have removed the tank).

Hope it all helps,

Any trips yet?

Dave

ps. Dont want to sell the bike do you?

Hi Steve,

My 3AJ came with no spark plug socket. I use a Triumph socket (part # 2300107-T0301) that is in the Thunderbird/Sprint/etc.. tool kit. The plugs are the same (although slightly different heat rating, if I remember correctly). The socket is great for me, having a rubber inner washer/gripper to retain the plug, and the top end is a smaller hex so that you can put a spanner onto it for some leverage.

I am sure there are plenty of other makes that may well be similar, but at least I know this one works well.

Cheers, Geoff

Looking at the position of the airbox etc they mustn't have needed adustment eh?

*Any trips yet?
You obviously have not seen my email yet.
Big one to Moroc planned for last week in August first week in Sept.
Hope to do a trial run to Scotland (no sniggering) in the spring

*Dont want to sell the bike do you?
First I don't think your serious but if you were I would be asking why? Make me an offer.



[This message has been edited by Stephen (edited 05 January 2004).]

Don't know if it's the same problem I had with my XTZ660 but I now have a 3/8inch drive long reach socket, a universal joint and a small 3/8 socket wrench to get my spark out...

Problem with really long box spanners was getting it in there - it wouldn't drop past the frame, this way I can get the long reach socket in, then, put the universal joint in the top of it and then the wrench... All the standard tools just wouldn't get in there...

Hope this helps.

Tony.

PS: Still waiting the get my landy finished so I can get the bike out of its covers and sort out the choke/starting problem! Hope to be back on the road in March!