Topic: I'm so giddy I could dance.....

[xenoscr]

.... and believe me, nobody wants to see that.

I just discovered the spark plug that my bike's PO thought was stripped, isn't after all. A while back I bought a honda spark plug wrench and succeeded in removing 3 of the 4 spark plugs without issue. The 4th that I thought was stripped based on the PO's information was stripped and that was why I could not remove it.

I just ordered a set of Dyna Coils and wires and was in the process of taking off the old coils to prepare for their arrival. Without the coils and wires in the way I had more room to work so I decided I would tackle the spark plug that at this point has not been changed in over two years. I got the same 3 plugs out, then moved onto the "stripped" one. The Honda wrench slid over and would seem to catch and slip off. No matter how hard I pushed down I could not get the wrench to seat. Finally I took a mirror and flashlight to examine the plug. Hmm, that looks like it's a smaller size than the other plugs. Found a socket that fit and presto, out i cam with the bunched up heli-coil that the PO had tried to use. It was a champion spark plug with a smaller sized nut. I took one of the NGK plugs and put it into the offending plug hole and screwed it in and out without any problem. This is awesome news, no heli-coil, time-sert, or expensive machining for me! This is good news in a long line of "HOLY CRAP! THAT'LL COST HOW MUCH?" involved in the slow road to restoring this thing to it's former 1975 glory.

I can't wait to talk to the PO, who happens to be a good friend of mine to give him some good natured ribbing.

XeNoSCR

[Alan F.]

That's a great find, congrats.

[754]

 Bedore you jump for joy;
 compare the heloicoil OD size to your plug.. may be a loose shortlived fit.. compare pitch too..

[Spanner 1]

I think OEM plug screwed in there O.K..... put fresh gas in the tank, choke it ( the friggin' motor, lads) and fire it -up... it may start !

[xenoscr]

Bedore you jump for joy;
 compare the heloicoil OD size to your plug.. may be a loose shortlived fit.. compare pitch too..

Yeah, the OEM plug when in tight. No wobble, etc. Without measuring anything the angle/pitch appears to be the same but opposite of the one next to it.

I think OEM plug screwed in there O.K..... put fresh gas in the tank, choke it ( the friggin' motor, lads) and fire it -up... it may start !

The heli-coil was actually bunched up on the upper part of the threads preventing the plug that was in there from going all the way in. I don't think the coil ever came into play, other than preventing the plug from seating where it should. The PO, even though he's a good friend, is one to take shortcuts and make excuses. When I told him what the problem was his immediate response was, "my socket worked on the other 3 no problem" This was his response every time I told him you needed a special tool (or thin walled/ground down socket) to take out CB750 plugs.

I think I have a genuine victory. I'll know for sure once I get the new coils installed and fire it up.

XeNoSCR

[Hush]

Nice one mate, happy for ya.