Author Topic: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...  (Read 2553 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline kck3

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 307
What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« on: February 10, 2012, 07:38:57 PM »
My 71 cb750 came with its tool kit but was missing the spark plug socket so I bought this one off of ebay thinking it would work-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-CB350F-CB400F-CB750A-GL1000-SPARK-PLUG-WRENCH-OEM-/120845534881?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1c22f486a1   

I get it in the mail today and go to remove my plugs and it doesn't grab onto the plug.  I try it on my 77 cb550 and it grabs onto the head of the plug.  So I try again on my 750 and it doesn't seat onto the head of the plug-doesnt grab on at all.  What am I doing wrong?  Is the tool the wrong one?


Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,186
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2012, 07:49:38 PM »
Check the Honda part # for your application...but it sure seems like it should work..... ???.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline CycleRanger

  • No comment about being an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,443
  • Central Texas Shop Manual Advocate
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2012, 07:55:06 PM »
The 750 probably has 18mm plugs installed.
A thin-walled 18mm deep socket will work.
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 34,356
  • Central Texas
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2012, 08:06:03 PM »
It's possible the stock plug is not installed.  This happened to me, the PO installed a diff plug and my Honda plug wrench wouldn't work.
I was thinkin' WTF!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline BeSeeingYou

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,913
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2012, 09:37:28 PM »
Sears Craftsman 18mm plug socket works great.  You can get more leverage than the Honda tool if needed.  That is providing it's the right plug like Stev-o mentioned.

Offline kck3

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 307
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2012, 10:53:15 PM »
And if it's not the stock plug?  I was thinking that might be the case- is it trial and error now to see what will remove it?

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 34,356
  • Central Texas
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2012, 11:13:22 PM »
And if it's not the stock plug?  I was thinking that might be the case- is it trial and error now to see what will remove it?

You'll have to get another size socket.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Danno

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 715
  • 74 CB550,75 GL1000,76 KZ400,77 GL1000,73 CB750
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2012, 11:26:45 PM »
it usually is a 5/8" if it is not the 18mm I don't think a larger one will fit but I can tell you that the wrench you bought should work  on my 750A however it had a really odd size iridium plug in it and two different sizes at that I had to find a socket that fit and then grind the base of it down enough to get the plug out as it was a different size then the stock tool and all my plug wrenches
when you own a motorcycle the wife does not have to find you handy she just has to find you

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,045
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2012, 02:45:40 AM »
That SHOULD work, if not somebody has put wierd plugs in as all the plugs that are supposed to be in there have the same size hexagon
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline ekpent

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,512
  • To many bikes-but lookin' for more
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2012, 06:41:50 AM »
Probably has a Champion plug in it which requires a smaller socket. Those plugs were used at one time quite a bit,mainly because they were cheaper,easy to find, and easier to get in because they are smaller at the nut.

Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,186
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2012, 06:46:53 AM »
Probably has a Champion plug in it which requires a smaller socket. Those plugs were used at one time quite a bit,mainly because they were cheaper,easy to find, and easier to get in because they are smaller at the nut.
+1 probably Champion's 5/8" sparkplug socket.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline ekpent

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,512
  • To many bikes-but lookin' for more
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2012, 06:53:20 AM »
Only other issue that may cause that would be a plug severly cross threaded which I doubt or some crud or rock etc around the plug stopping it from going down. I will go with the Champ though.

Offline the technological J

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,490
  • deliciouso!
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2012, 07:06:09 AM »
i bought a sparkplug socket set that came with 2 sizes for 5 bucks at walmart that enabled me to get the stuck plugs in my situation
70 KO...sold to fund the ST http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=88800.0(Alpha)
74 Kaw 250 Enduro http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=124278.0
K4 added to collection! http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=104784.0
78 750K... http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60257.0 (Omega)sold to fund the K4
94 ST1100..Gone
72 750 K2 Stay tuned!

Offline kck3

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 307
Re: What am I doing wrong? Spark plug removal...
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2012, 11:13:52 AM »
Update-well you guys were right! It was a champion RA6HC plug in the motor.