Post by wolfy on Jul 22, 2011 14:29:57 GMT 1
Just a quick write-up for anyone searching on this task:
I've gradually noticed over the last few weeks that my NTV is difficult to start some days, and much more difficult to start after it's been running and got nice and hot. I serviced the air filter, oil filter etc. when I got it, but didn't change the plugs - I bought a set of NGK Iridium plugs in preparation and decided this would be the time to use them, as I had to bump-start the bike twice in the last couple of days. Which was quite interesting as I'd never even considered what to do in such a circumstance. I found a push-along with the clutch in, first gear selected, drop the clutch, fire the starter motor, rev a bit and pull the clutch in and it fired up nicely. Phew!
So, this morning I went to change the plugs - there are four, two each cylinder. I used the plug removal tool - you will definitely need one for this job, especially the two plugs that are 'buried' in the cylinder heads. I bought one from Wemoto here: www.wemoto.com/bikes/Honda/NTV_600_J_K_Revere/88-90/picture/Tool_-_Plug_Spanner/ - it's not cheap, but I needed it or no job done.
I found I could change both side plugs and the front plug on the front cylinder without removing the tank - 12mm socket + universal joint + extender bar and all sorted. I removed the tank (petrol tap to OFF, disconnect outbound pipe from tap, remove hex bolt at front of tank, remove 12mm bolt at rear, put tank down somewhere soft), and got easy access to the buried plug on the rear cylinder.
The plugs I removed had carbon deposits and oil fouling - probably a combination of old age, valves out of adjustment and needing to change to mix to suit the fact that I've restricted the bike as I'm on a 25kW licence. Either way, when I'd got it all back together the bike fired on the button, I ran it for a few minutes to get some heat in, stopped the engine, and started it again - fired on the button. Job done!
I've gradually noticed over the last few weeks that my NTV is difficult to start some days, and much more difficult to start after it's been running and got nice and hot. I serviced the air filter, oil filter etc. when I got it, but didn't change the plugs - I bought a set of NGK Iridium plugs in preparation and decided this would be the time to use them, as I had to bump-start the bike twice in the last couple of days. Which was quite interesting as I'd never even considered what to do in such a circumstance. I found a push-along with the clutch in, first gear selected, drop the clutch, fire the starter motor, rev a bit and pull the clutch in and it fired up nicely. Phew!
So, this morning I went to change the plugs - there are four, two each cylinder. I used the plug removal tool - you will definitely need one for this job, especially the two plugs that are 'buried' in the cylinder heads. I bought one from Wemoto here: www.wemoto.com/bikes/Honda/NTV_600_J_K_Revere/88-90/picture/Tool_-_Plug_Spanner/ - it's not cheap, but I needed it or no job done.
I found I could change both side plugs and the front plug on the front cylinder without removing the tank - 12mm socket + universal joint + extender bar and all sorted. I removed the tank (petrol tap to OFF, disconnect outbound pipe from tap, remove hex bolt at front of tank, remove 12mm bolt at rear, put tank down somewhere soft), and got easy access to the buried plug on the rear cylinder.
The plugs I removed had carbon deposits and oil fouling - probably a combination of old age, valves out of adjustment and needing to change to mix to suit the fact that I've restricted the bike as I'm on a 25kW licence. Either way, when I'd got it all back together the bike fired on the button, I ran it for a few minutes to get some heat in, stopped the engine, and started it again - fired on the button. Job done!