Cross threaded sparkplug hole

[Joab]

Any easy way to fix this? It is just the first couple threads. I am so pissed right now I am about ready to either light this rice burning devil child on fire, or just get out a breaker bar and force the damn spark plug in there for good.

[Danny Crawdad]

Man, you have not had the greatest luck in the world, huh?

I'd try running a tap/thread cleaner through it first and see if you can straighten it out. Beyond that, there are definitely fixes, look at Timeserts or Helicoils, I've used and had luck with both.

[Joab]

Does Harbor Freight carry the thread/tap cleaner? I really dont want to run to Dothan, but at the same time, staying within a mile of this bike at the moment may not be good for its health...

[Danny Crawdad]

I know you can buy tap and die sets at Harbor Freight, but I don't think I've ever seen a thread chaser. If you use a tap you have to be really careful not to cut into and screw up your existing threads otherwise you will be using the helicoil/timesert for sure :P.

I've bought spark plug thread chasers at Napa before, made by Balkamp I think. They do not cut as much as a tap and so are great for crossthreaded holes.

I've also seen the Helicoils (and less commonly Timeserts) behind the counter at Napa if necessary.

[mjpxs11sh]

strip

man, im with ya cause i did the same thing with #3 when i was adjusting the carbs and ckg the plugs. i was totally p/o'd and i couldnt get it right till finally, just using the plug threads, i somehow lined it up as i compared #4's angle, and i got it in. ive always had an issue with #2 and #3. i had to take a day away from my bike and go back with a calmer head. be careful with those aluminum threads.

[motoman]

[QUOTE=

I've bought spark plug thread chasers at Napa before, made by Balkamp I think. They do not cut as much as a tap and so are great for crossthreaded holes.

[/QUOTE]

Bettin that'll work for him since a couple lead-in threads are apparently jacked. Just carefully keep it lined up straight so it leads squarely into lower good threads. Blow out filings by cranking over a few times.

[Eastcoaster]

backtap

I used a backtap I bought off amazon it taps from the inside out do not have to remove the head it expands after you place it in the hole It worked excellent on 2 of mine its made by powerbuilt I think a div of k-d I have a 12 mm one if that helps u can borrow it

[Joab]

The angles seem really odd on the #2 and #3 holes.

MJPX- Yep, it was the #2 cylinder for me. The Pacifico fairing doesnt make it any easier either!

Danny and Moto- That will be the first thing I try, probably wont get to it this weekend since I have to head down to Mobile and play Army, but next week for sure.

Eastcoaster- Thanks for the offer man, I will try the threadchaser from above first, if that isnt working, I will be looking for that cool device you found. Might be worth my time to pick one up for future use anyhow!

[ddragon63]

Ya my Vetter fairing gets in my way every time. I can barely sneak my hand in there to start the plugs. When its hot its not much fun. I hate trying to do it with the plug in the socket on an extension. you get no feel that way. I got burn marks all over my right hand (and some hair missing) from last weekend venture.... I'd try threading the plug in there by hand and see if it straightens out the first few threads. use some anti-seize or white lyth grease as a lube to help keep it from being sticky.

I thought I was the only person on earth with this kind of luck... We must be brothers from another life

[Joab]

Ya my Vetter fairing gets in my way every time. I can barely sneak my hand in there to start the plugs. When its hot its not much fun. I hate trying to do it with the plug in the socket on an extension. you get no feel that way. I got burn marks all over my right hand (and some hair missing) from last weekend venture.... I'd try threading the plug in there by hand and see if it straightens out the first few threads. use some anti-seize or white lyth grease as a lube to help keep it from being sticky.

I thought I was the only person on earth with this kind of luck... We must be brothers from another life

Why did I end up with the short side of things?? All I want is to be able to ride a ST in comfort...

Yeah, I managed to fry myself by deciding it was a good idea to poke at the CCT right after running the bike...

[ddragon63]

Why did I end up with the short side of things?? All I want is to be able to ride a ST in comfort...

Yeah, I managed to fry myself by deciding it was a good idea to poke at the CCT right after running the bike...

pull the filter housing off with your bare hands without letting the motor cool down... you'll only do it once. man that oil is HOT LOL!

[Joab]

pull the filter housing off with your bare hands without letting the motor cool down... you'll only do it once. man that oil is HOT LOL!

And on this air cooled monster? I bet you heard it sizzle before you felt it...

[ddragon63]

And on this air cooled monster? I bet you heard it sizzle before you felt it...

nope just a glug glug glug... followed by alot of cursing and jumping around. and then my son pointing and laughing at me!

[Joab]

I would say that is why I have a cat instead of children...but all he does is stare at me in open contempt and I am pretty sure spends the long hours of the day plotting my demise...

[ddragon63]

I would say that is why I have a cat instead of children...but all he does is stare at me in open contempt and I am pretty sure spends the long hours of the day plotting my demise...

ya but your cat can't fetch beers...