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Od54
Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 10:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Front plug came out on the way home yesterday. The plug has some aluminum in the bottom 5-6 threads on one side.

Talk about noisy when it came out. I thought the whole engine had blown up.

As of right now, considering money and needing to be riding by Monday, it will probably be a controversial decision but I'm just going to heli-coil it and start saving for a new head. Anyone have some good trick for keeping the shavings out of the head other than the standard putting some grease on the cutter?
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Az_m2
Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 11:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I had that happen on my Uly. I must have been lucky, I just screwed it back in. No issues. It happened fairly soon after I had service done. I'm sure they just didn't tighten it properly.

Good luck . . . Chris
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Speedfreaks101
Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 11:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have not had it happen but why would you replace the head? Many aftermarket cylinder heads use heli-coils when they are new. As long as it is properly done you should be fine.

You could also have a machine shop weld, drill & tap it out.
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Fastxb12r
Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 11:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Heli-Coil will work just fine when done properly those things can last forever.I personally would still save for a head but heli-coil is the way to go.

Good Luck
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Damnut
Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 12:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yup happened to me 200 miles from home. Started working on the problem on the side of the road while friends fetched the trailer.







I replaced the head. Actually Hammer gave me head, He's good like that!!!!
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Od54
Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 10:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

New plan. Can't find any coils anywhere nearby. Therefore, I'm taking the head off and we're going to fill the hole with weld then redrilling and tapping.... Yea, you read it right. I'll let you know how it goes.
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Hammer71
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 06:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

No secrets here.
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Joesbuell
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 08:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Man I love my old tuber! I don't need to pull it to bits to get the plugs out!
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Mr2shim
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 08:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

How does that happen?

I'm a bit confused.
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Od54
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 08:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm pretty sure that the last person that put it in damaged the threads, it might have backed out a little, then the threads failed. Quite suddenly as it were.

Also, the head is off to the welder, who just so happens to be my father. I hope all goes well.

(Message edited by od54 on June 29, 2008)
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Mr2shim
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 09:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hope I installed my rear spark plug correctly. It was tough to thread in at first.... :/

It's been close to 4k miles since I replaced them.

Good luck with your fix mang. Sounds like it'd work. LOL
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Ratbuell
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 10:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Either a cross-thread or a not-threaded-in can cause the p-tui complex.

Check an autoparts store. It was pricey, but I got a spark plug helicoil set about a year ago for my Jeep with its own tap (stepped) and both sizes of plug thread coils. Although since you're welding it, you should be OK.
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Oddsc
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 10:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Happened to my Uly with only 1500 miles on it. Popped right out, there were still a few threads in, so I limped 300 miles home. I had the head replaced under warranty. I can only imagine it was cross-threaded from the factory.
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Od54
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 10:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I looked absolutely everywhere for a helicoil but they didn't have any 12mm x 1.25.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 10:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Pretty sure I have 'em at the house, I can send you the mfr and kit number if you like. Or, I can drop a coil and tap in the mail to ya as long as you return the tap : )
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Point_doc
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 12:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I had this happen to my rear head. I used this $9.00 item and it repaired my threads without any problems.

http://www.usatoolwarehouse.com/usatoolwarehouse/STR-1013A.html

I applied primary lube to the tool and ran it a couple of turned at a time in and then removed/cleaned/reapplied another coat of oil to the tool until the spark plug restorer was completely thru the hole.

Then I put a small diameter plastic hose on the end of the shop-vac nozzle attachment and then vacuumed out the cylinder.

If you own a Buell or Harley, you should buy one for that..."OH-SHIT" moment!!!

Heli-Coil set:
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INSRAR2&PMAKA=240-0609&PMPXNO=4824588

(Message edited by point_doc on June 30, 2008)
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Davefl
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 03:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I would give these a try.. I have heard good things.

http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplug.html
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Ulendo
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 04:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

be glad its not an old CB350 - had mine fire off a plug in high school, and blasted a hole in the fuel tank. LOTS of excitement for the subsequent 60 seconds!

put a helicoil in that, replaced the tank ( and repaired the melted wiring harness) and it ran faithfully for another 4 years for me.
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Djkaplan
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 04:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"I replaced the head. Actually Hammer gave me head, He's good like that!!!!"

You've had Hammerhead?

Heh... I like my entendres the same way I like my whiskey... double!
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Od54
Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - 11:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I should get the head back tonight after work. I appreciate the offer ratbuell but hopefully I'm already fixed.

Also thanks for the part #'s.

UPDATE: Got it all back together last night around 11. Runs like a champ. Also found the rear plug was loose. So loose that I took it out by hand. Oh well, that's what I get for buying a bike and not checking every little thing. Thanks all.

(Message edited by od54 on July 02, 2008)
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Ssscrudddy
Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 01:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

wow. the only time I saw a plug blow out was at a bike rally, freezing bloody cold in the morning, & some newbie started his 125 & redlined it immediately. I warned not to do so & why, he reckoned it was ok, then the plug blew out the top, & the piston blew out the bottom, left a nice smoking mini crater in the ground. funny as fu*ck that was (not yours)
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Diablobrian
Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 04:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

At homecoming I had my front plug pop out.

Fortunately there were enough threads left to get a plug back in, though not the same plug
because the threads on the one that came out were knackered.

I see a time-sert or heli-coil in my future since matching the work done on the rear head
would be tricky to say the least.
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