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McGyver spark plug gap tool

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  • #1

    McGyver spark plug gap tool

    I just thought I'd share something I discovered while working on my bike. I don't have a "proper" set of feeler gauges or a real gapping tool, so I went looking around the house for something that might do the job. You'll never guess what I discovered!

    I'm a computer tech by trade, so I have a lot of extra PC parts laying around my shop. I was looking for a thin piece of metal that matched the specs in the manual. I discovered that the little port covers from the back of a Computer case (the ones you remove when you add a new card to a PC) have exactly the right thickness for gapping spark plugs! I verified it with my micrometer, and it's almost dead on! So, that's what I used to gap my new plugs.
    1980 XS850SG - Sold
    1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
    Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
    Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

    Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
    -H. Ford
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  • #2
    You can also fold over the flap on the box the plug came in and use that. Two thicknesses of the paper box the plug came in is close enough...

    Geezer
    Hi my name is Tony and I'm a bikeoholic.

    The old gray biker ain't what he used to be.

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    • #3
      I had to chuckle when I saw the McGyver comment. I wonder how many of the twenty-somethings even know what/who you're talking about.

      FIY... McGyver
      Tim Ripley - Gaithersburg, MD
      1981 XS1100 Special "Spoiled Rotten" Just sold - currently bikeless!!
      23mm float height
      120 main jets
      42.5 pilot jets
      drilled stock airbox with K&N
      Jardine 4 to 1 Exhaust
      spade fusebox
      1st and 2nd gear fix

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      • #4
        Long ago, in another life my dad taught me a trick to care for ignition points. Keep a book of matches in the glove box, if you have problems the book cover can be used to set the gap well enough to get the motor to run. The striker can be used to clean up the points if needed.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by XSPastor View Post
          I had to chuckle when I saw the McGyver comment. I wonder how many of the twenty-somethings even know what/who you're talking about.
          It's not often I am made to feel old. I'm only 30, so in groups like this one, I tend to be one of the younger members. You definitely got me on that one though Man, I loved that show as a kid!

          However, SNL still uses a parody character called "MacGruber" to keep the spirit alive!
          1980 XS850SG - Sold
          1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
          Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
          Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

          Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
          -H. Ford

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by randy View Post
            Long ago, in another life my dad taught me a trick to care for ignition points. Keep a book of matches in the glove box, if you have problems the book cover can be used to set the gap well enough to get the motor to run. The striker can be used to clean up the points if needed.
            Most ignition points gap at .015" and coincidentally, most business cards are exactly that thickness. I've gotten many cages and bikes going over the years with a screwdriver and a business card. If there was a Lady around, borrowing an emery board would help clean up the points.

            Geezer
            Hi my name is Tony and I'm a bikeoholic.

            The old gray biker ain't what he used to be.

            Comment

            • #7
              Yeah, Geezer they don't make 'em like they used to. Oh, that's right, there's a reason why they don't!

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