| Author | Message | ||
     Buewulf |
So sometime in the next month or two, I intend to rotate the engine to change the spark plugs and have two questions. 1) Are there any gotcha's / idiot penalties I have to lookout for while performing the rotation? 2) Recommendations for any other preventative maintenance / owner-quality improvement items I should tackle while I have the engine down? Thanks, gang. | ||
| Djohnk |
1) Rotate it down VERY slowly while watching for any hang-ups on the wires, oil lines, etc. ... the engine is heavy enough to do some damage if your not careful. (by the way you don't have to rotate the engine for the spark plugs). 2) I saw where someone put some reflective tape inside the frame when they had the engine down. I took off my headers and polished them, but that means you need to put new exhaust gaskets ... in hindsight I probably wouldn't have taken them off (there is always the risk of breaking a header bolt) | ||
| Luftkoph |
no need to rotate to change plugs. I put heat tape all around the inside perimeter of the frame,got it from DEI | ||
| Hughlysses |
HOLD the wrenches there Buewulf! You don't have to rotate the engine to change the spark plugs on an XB. They can be changed pretty easily just by removing the left side cooling scoop to get to the front plug and by removing the airbox cover and base to get to the rear one. It's not that hard to do. The shop manuals says you do have to rotate the engine to get to the plugs on an 1125, but I believe some guys have figured out a way around that as well. If you REALLY need to rotate the engine, e-mail Al Lighton at American Sport Bike for a list of tips that he compiled. The main extra thing I'd recommend doing while you've got it rotated down is to line the inside of the frame with Thermo-tec insulation. I think that's what John had in mind when he said reflective tape but this stuff is better. It's a thin layer of adhesive-backed insulation with reflective foil on the face. http://www.summitracing.com/search/Brand/Thermo-Tec/Product-Line/Thermo-Tec-Adhesive-Backed-Heat-Barriers/?autoview=SKU (Message edited by Hughlysses on July 02, 2012) | ||
| Buewulf |
HOLD the wrenches there Buewulf! You don't have to rotate the engine to change the spark plugs on an XB. Haha! I should have been a little more clear. I have read several threads about changing the plugs without rotating, so I am aware it isn't a major undertaking. But I have never done the rotation procedure and just want the experience. For better or worse. I'm sure I'll regret having done it even if all goes well, but I ain't so smart. Thanks for the tips everyone! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Oh yea, you have to drop the muffler (otherwise the muffler will hit the rear wheel when the engine begins to rotate down), so you need a new front muffler strap. They're one-use only. I'd also give the rockers a very close check in case you need to change the gaskets while you're in there. |
