18mm-deep socket in Chch?

[Quickrik]

Is there anybody in Christchurch (Hoon Hay) area who would be able to lend me a 17,18 or maybe 19mm deep socket?

I'm trying to remove the sparkplugs from my 748 and none of the three sparkplug spanners I own fit!

Cheers Rik

[imdying]

How do you know they don't fit, you don't even know what size hex!

What's the NGK code for the plug... IIRC the letter at the start signifies the hex size.

[NOMIS]

Is there anybody in Christchurch (Hoon Hay) area who would be able to lend me a 17,18 or maybe 19mm deep socket?

I'm trying to remove the sparkplugs from my 748 and none of the three sparkplug spanners I own fit!

Cheers Rik

Just from experiance here, iv neeeeever come across a 18mm spark plug evver 17 and 19 usually, and you should really use a proper sparkplug socket, not just a normal one. anyways good luck

[Quickrik]

Just from experiance here, iv neeeeever come across a 18mm spark plug evver 17 and 19 usually, and you should really use a proper sparkplug socket, not just a normal one. anyways good luck

Quiet rare hence my ask but they do exist
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Teng-M380042.../dp/B0001P0X7Y

[imdying]

Doubt it's either of those after looking at the NGK site. There's a Chch KBer on here with a socket that I've machined down to fit tight heads.

[Quickrik]

Got the top one out by filing an 18mm hexagonal shape into the internal diameter of a bit of pipe I had (Lawnmower handle infact).

It was a NGK JR9B

Just have to move the rad out of the way to get my Heath Robinson tool into the front cylinder now. Remeber, don't try to emulate this stunt kids!! This fix was performed by a professional bodger in a closed to the public garage.

[Owl]

They'd be 17mm wouldn't they? I had to get a long thin wall spark plug socket for my bike. Cost me $10 from my local bike shop and works a treat.

[imdying]

How are you getting on man? Did you measure the hex on your new plugs? Have you measured the OD of the tools that don't fit?

[Quickrik]

I'm all sorted. The new (genuine Ducati) plugs to go in, fit the Ducati supplied Sparkplug spanner/socket thingy in the tool bag which from memory was stamped 16mm.

My Improvised tool extracted the old 18mm ones. Now I can get into the meat of it all and change the belts.

[vifferman]

They're tricky things, them toy sparking ploogs.
The best tool for the ones on the VFR is the plug socket that came with the bike, with a 10mm socket on top, and a ratchet wrench. I seriously doubt you'd find an off-the-shelf socket at tool or auto shop that'd fit: it'd have to be very thin-wall, and very long-reach.
And the electrodes are so tiny, it's a wonder they last so long and don't foul easily (although I fouled the ones on my VFR750 by using 95-octane fuel).

[Wired1]

My XT550 had an 18mm plug and what a prick of a thing to get out it was. With the engine in the frame you couldn't see the hole as it was behind the down tube - you have to do it by feel. I would guess they probably had them on the XT660 too as they are the same engine etc.
I bought an 18mm deep socket for it from the local tool shop.