G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » Archive through July 20, 2015 » Ulysses 2009 -- Spark Plugs « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yo_barry
Posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2015 - 07:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Two spark plug questions..

1) Is the HD 10R12X (factory original equipment)the best choice? Other options?

2) How do you get the rear plug wire off? Is there a commercial tool for pulling plug wires?

Thanks,

Barry
Hollister, CA
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Phelan
Posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2015 - 07:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Edit- lysdexia got the best of me on this post, ignore the advice that was here : p.

(Message edited by phelan on June 10, 2015)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zac4mac
Posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2015 - 08:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bad advice this time Ross, IMO.
I run 10R12X in my 09 Uly, as called for in the FSM.
I had straight 10R12 for a maintenance period; not a lot different but IMO the 12X runs a little smoother.

I had no idea you put 6R12 in your Uly.
Please let me see your plugs after 10k miles.. I just might change my mind.

Back on topic, pull the left-side scoop and you'll see the plugs.
You need a T-27 to R&R the body screws, 1/4-20 thread.

If you pull the airbox you can come down from above, use a piece of hose to start the plugs.
If you always find the threads with your fingers, you'll never crossthread.

Z
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yo_barry
Posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2015 - 08:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The 10R12X from front cylinder looks great after 15k miles. Don't have the rear out yet.

Think I'll replace them with 10R12X.

Good advice on using a hose to start the plugs. What do you use to get the rear plug lead off the plug?

Barry
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Portero72
Posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2015 - 09:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Barry

I have used an angled spark plug wire puller I got from an auto parts store. Has a plastic coating around the jaws to lessen the chance of chewing through a wire.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Steveford
Posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2015 - 09:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I always end up pulling the coil off to get some room to maneuver my fat little fingers in there.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Griffmeister
Posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2015 - 11:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Easiest way to change the rear plug is to rotate the engine. Unfortunate coincidence but that's what happened to me right around the scheduled time for the last two plug changes.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zac4mac
Posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 04:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll have look at it again, but I swapped out a pair of plugs in less than 15 minutes,
Rotate the engine for plugs???? really?

I probably used a large pair of medical forceps(hemostat).
A long needle-nose pliers would be similar.

Z
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zac4mac
Posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 04:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll admit, i also used a secret weapon.
The factory accessory tool-bag has a shorty plug socket that is worth the price of the whole kit.
it looks like this one -





Z
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Arry
Posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 01:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yo, Did you get the plug wire off? I made a tool out of a stiff piece of wire (brazing rod). Bent a hook on the end, then bent the hook so it's perpendicular to the length of the wire. Stick this down from the air box area, so the hook is under the plug cap, then pull up. Hope this makes sense. the hard part is getting the boot back on properly (clicked onto the plug).....
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Phelan
Posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 02:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My bad, I got the numbers backwards. 10R12 is the Cold range plug I was thinking of. Sorry about that.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yo_barry
Posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 03:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for all the input.
Arry, that's just how I visualized the tool.
Zac, I'll go check my tool kit.

I didn't take the rear plug out as neither of the local HD dealers had the plugs in stock.

That will have to wait for another day.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Arry
Posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - 04:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Several of us are using NGK iridium plugs. Not much advantage -- potentially longer life, and available thru any auto parts store. Iridiums are expensive, is the downside.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Griffmeister
Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 12:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Z, I had to rotate the engine for other reasons. Those reasons just happened at about the time the plugs were due.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Electraglider_1997
Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 09:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If anyone is ever near a Harley shop and need ULY plugs all you have to do is ask for 2009 V-Rod spark plugs. They are ULY plugs. Harley shops are everywhere but Buell/Harley shops not so much.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yo_barry
Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 10:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

ask for 2009 V-Rod spark plugs. They are ULY plugs.

Is there some cross reference for that? What is the HD plug number?

Barry
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yo_barry
Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 10:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Searching BadWeb I found that HD 10R12A is apparently the V-Rod plug.

My Uly has HD 10R12X. Anybody know if the 10R12X is equivalent to the 10R12A?

American Sport Bike shows the same plugs for the Ulysses and my S3T -- that is 10R12A, an NGK equivalent, and an NGK iridium plug.

I'm confused. There must be a good reason for Buell to have selected/specified the 10R12X. I've got four on order from Monterey Bay HD (Salinas, CA.)

Barry
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Arry
Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 01:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My owners manual (2007) calls for 10R12A. Either they changed the plug spec. for newer Ulys or someone put the wrong plugs in your bike?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yo_barry
Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 02:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My manual (2009) specifies 10R12X. Plugs are the original factory installed set.

Barry
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Etennuly
Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 08:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I went to the iridiums. A buddy of mine had 25,000 miles on a set when I told him they were supposed to be 10,000 service items. We pulled them, they still looked good so I now run my iridium plugs to 20,000 with no problems.

My first plug change from HD on my '06 Uly the replacements were 10R12A.

I use a 18" long pair of double angled needle nose pliers that I got for pulling fish hooks out of large mouth bass. A little care and a gentle squeezing twist will get that plug wire off without messing it up if you grip it just above the spark plug.

I use a deep spark plug socket and a foot long Snap on wiggle end extension to get it out. Start them by finger with a piece of vacuum hose and don't forget to put never-sieze on those threads.

Do not over tighten. It is much easier to go back and retighten a loose plug than it is to re-thread an aluminum head.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Twisteduly
Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 08:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

One thing I always do is to apply dielectric grease inside the boot. It makes seating the wire easier and removal becomes much better, reducing the chance if damage to the wire.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, June 12, 2015 - 09:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I finally replaced the stock (non iridium) plugs in my XB9SX at something like 25k miles, just because I felt guilty. They still looked perfect. I did put in iridiums, just because the $20 extra for the plugs felt like a good investment if I know I won't be replacing them often anyway.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Yo_barry
Posted on Saturday, June 20, 2015 - 12:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

OK, I did the deed!

New plugs, HD 10R12X installed at 15,393 miles. It has it's challenging moments, but not to bad.

Thanks for all the tips and insight.

Barry
Hollister, CA
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Reepicheep
Posted on Monday, March 28, 2016 - 09:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

LOL. Dusting off an old thread here... my 16mm deepwell was missing from the tool box, so I had it on the list to pick up when I go get new plugs for the Uly today.

And then I see Zac's comment about the factory tool kit, which I bought, and have tucked right under seat unmolested since I got it.

Uh, yeah, there might be something that can remove a spark plug in there. LOL.

Now if I can just find that stupid tub of anti seize I bought but that vanished after the Mini Cooper clutch job...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Snowscum
Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - 12:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bringing back this old thread. I am replacing the original plugs on my 06 Uly. The replacement from Napa was 905 RA4HC. Gap on old plug is .043". New plug .025". Should I gap them to the original or leave them alone?

Any help is appreciated. This board is a ghost town and its a bit sad.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration