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  • #1

    Spark plug wire replacement.

    Hi guys. I'm installing new spark plug wires in my coils. I've read the tech tips so am following those directions but still have a few questions. In the tech tip it says that if you switch to regular auto wires, to buy a resistance spark plug. I am using 8mm MSD plug wires cause I have leftovers from cars that I've done. I have already bought new plugs from a local bike shop, NGK BP6ES. Is there difference between these and resistance spark plugs? Our bikes typically have solid strand copper wires. If I have the wrong plugs I'd like to know while I can still return them for the right ones.

    One more question. I need to know the order of my plug wires. My plug wires only had 1 number still left on them. Forgive me if this is a stupid question, I began posting before I looked in the Service Manual. I don't believe the service manual has it anyway. Oh yeah, this is an 82 XJ1100.
    "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

    Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Alright WTF! I've dug into the smaller side of the coil and there is no pin at all. I can't even see the copper strands anymore. I found a spot that was soldered, so I heated it and pulled the copper off expecting to see the pin, there is nothing there. I know in the tech tips they had to dig in deep on this side, but there is something wrong here. I'm normally pretty patient but this is ticking me off. Look at this.
    "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

    Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

    Comment

    • #3
      Your XJ coils will be the same as the 81 coils. If you look further down the tech tip, it talks about the differences.
      Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

      When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

      81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
      80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


      Previously owned
      93 GSX600F
      80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
      81 XS1100 Special
      81 CB750 C
      80 CB750 C
      78 XS750

      Comment

      • #4
        Okay I think I figured it out. Apparently I was supposed to solder the new spark plug wires to the copper strands in the coil, because there is not a pin on the short wire side. Why the heck would they even mention using typical automotive spark plug wires if you have to solder them? Obviously automotive spark plug wires can't be soldered. It would be great if they would mention specifically in the tech tip, highlighted in bold that there is no ****ing pin on the short side. That tech tip should be removed until written properly, cause it's misleading and it just costed me a coil. I would have just repaired the damaged plug wire if I had known there was no pin to find in there. Guess I'm looking for new coils now.
        "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

        Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

        Comment

        • #5
          The Tech tip is accurate and current.

          Hey Dogg,

          I know you're pissed, but it's not really the tech tips fault. The 4th line says:

          THE DISCLAIMER
          All XS coils are not identical. The coils shown here were from a 1979 XS1100F. The ones on my 1981 XS1100 SH are a little smaller, but similar in appearance. I imagine they're similar internally, but I haven't tried this procedure on the newer ones. (7/22/00 - Shane Thomas has now provided an update for the smaller '81RH coils. There are minor differences which will be noted in the procedure). I wouldn't have tried it if I didn't have spares. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
          And then down in the 81RH section mentioned above:

          1981 RH coils (and similar)
          Between the marks (¼"/¾"; 6mm/19mm), grind (or file) to a depth where you can just see the wire insulation. At that depth, continue to grind toward the middle of the coil until you reach the end of the wire, where in turns inward.

          Then widen the cut adequately to allow the wire to be removed. STOP. Before trying to remove the wire, cut it off where it enters the coil.

          For the next step it is important to LEAVE THE WIRE CONNECTED. Gently lift the wire out from the free side (the side you just cut), leaving the internal connection intact. Then clip the wire connection, leaving enough length to solder the new wire.
          It's a long tip, and although the idea and process seems simple enough, as regrettably you've found out, there are small but important differences between the coils of the later models vs. the early ones. Knowing which coils you have and taking the time to fully review the tip could possibly have prevented your misstep.

          Perhaps some member who has done the Dyna coil upgrade may be willing to get rid of their old oem coil?? I'm saving mine for one of my other basket case bikes that I will eventually be bringing back to life.
          T. C. Gresham
          81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
          79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
          History shows again and again,
          How nature points out the folly of men!

          Comment

          • #6
            For a less expensive option, the VF1000 coils or Magna coils are good replacements, and easier to install than some of the others.
            Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

            When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

            81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
            80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


            Previously owned
            93 GSX600F
            80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
            81 XS1100 Special
            81 CB750 C
            80 CB750 C
            78 XS750

            Comment

            • #7
              I admit it was ultimately my error. I've read the tech tip several times and missed a crucial step. I appreciate anyone that takes the time to write a tech tip. I have been wrenching on old junk for 20 yrs practically non stop including wiring and consider myself savy. I still feel the tip is misleading. The one most important thing I needed to know to do this work was not very clear.

              The tech tip mentions that you can use automotive spark plug wires for replacements. Obviously you can't if you have my style coils because you will have to solder the new plug wire to the old. It mentions soldering, but I think it should be clearly in bold that there is no pin to be found in that side of the coil. Those are the two things that led me to make the mistake, not to mention the jumping around. It wasn't until after I saw inside the coil and made the mistake that I read back over it a third time and the tip made some sense, only cause I saw it with my own 2 eyes.

              All I'm saying, is that if I had written it, I would clearly enunciate the IMPORTANT things and possibly split the tip into 2 distinct categories since the 2 styles of coil differ completely. I would say that about half who attempt that repair is going to mess up if they have my style coils.
              "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

              Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

              Comment

              • #8
                Then if you find it poorly written for you style coil the write one for it, you have a second coil. The only tips here are ones that the general membership write. It's not like the mods get paid to sit around amd come up with tech tips. Someone had a early style coil and made the tip. You have a late style coil and don't like the supplement for them so man up and make a better tip so that other can benefit. Improve the community rather than missing and morning and saying others suck at their job (even though it Isn't their job).

                Everyone wants someone else to blame and fix their problem, no one wants to do it for themself or help others.
                Nathan
                KD9ARL

                μολὼν λαβέ

                1978 XS1100E
                K&N Filter
                #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                OEM Exhaust
                ATK Fork Brace
                LED Dash lights
                Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                Green Monster Coils
                SS Brake Lines
                Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                Theodore Roosevelt

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by natemoen View Post
                  Then if you find it poorly written for you style coil the write one for it, you have a second coil. The only tips here are ones that the general membership write. It's not like the mods get paid to sit around amd come up with tech tips. Someone had a early style coil and made the tip. You have a late style coil and don't like the supplement for them so man up and make a better tip so that other can benefit. Improve the community rather than missing and morning and saying others suck at their job (even though it Isn't their job).

                  Everyone wants someone else to blame and fix their problem, no one wants to do it for themself or help others.
                  What makes you think I won't write a tech tip? Heaven forbid we try to improve a tech tip that's poorly written, because we all know the sycophants who are always worming their way around need moments like this to turn the knife in someone and say neener neener, your dumb. Why don't you just see my point and say, "Dang, your right yard dogg, it is poorly written, sorry it didn't work out." Instead of being a panty waste smart azz just waiting to run me down. So lets hear your tough talk again ****er.
                  "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

                  Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Yard Dogg View Post
                    because we all know the sycophants who are always worming their way around need moments like this to turn the knife in someone and say neener neener, your dumb..
                    Yep, that's what you are sounding like. CZ

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Internet tough guys.
                      "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

                      Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Yard Dogg View Post
                        Why don't you just see my point and say, "Dang, your right yard dogg, it is poorly written, sorry it didn't work out." Instead of being a panty waste smart azz just waiting to run me down.
                        Why can't people just admit they did not read it as carefully as they needed to and say "dang, your right TC, I did not read it all the way before I jumped in and tried it." Instead of being a panty waste smart azz just waiting to run the site down.

                        Originally posted by Yard Dogg View Post
                        So lets hear your tough talk again ****er.
                        Originally posted by Yard Dogg View Post
                        Internet tough guys.
                        Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

                        When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

                        81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
                        80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


                        Previously owned
                        93 GSX600F
                        80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
                        81 XS1100 Special
                        81 CB750 C
                        80 CB750 C
                        78 XS750

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Yard Dogg View Post
                          I admit it was ultimately my error. I've read the tech tip several times and missed a crucial step. I appreciate anyone that takes the time to write a tech tip.
                          Who can't read it through? Like I said, internet tough guys. Just stop now, you're cowards, you're wrong.
                          Last edited by Yard Dogg; 09-16-2012, 11:18 PM.
                          "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

                          Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Yard Dogg View Post
                            ...I'm normally pretty patient but this is ticking me off...
                            Here's one of your problems... and I'm not trying to pick at you but you need to give us more than an hour to respond to your questions. Having a little patience could prevent a mistake like this. Sorry for your misfortune.
                            '79 XS11 F
                            Stock except K&N

                            '79 XS11 SF
                            Stock, no title.

                            '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
                            GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

                            "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by WMarshy View Post
                              Here's one of your problems... and I'm not trying to pick at you but you need to give us more than an hour to respond to your questions. Having a little patience could prevent a mistake like this. Sorry for your misfortune.
                              Yup, ask questions if you are not sure. Take more than 30 seconds to think it through if you are not sure or if something isn't right.

                              And drop the whole "internet tough guy" crap. You are the one with your panties in a wad. If you want help, then ask questions rather than telling people what they are doing wrong. We all want to help, but if you are going to be a douch and have an attitude then you can go pound sand!

                              Just chill out!
                              Nathan
                              KD9ARL

                              μολὼν λαβέ

                              1978 XS1100E
                              K&N Filter
                              #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                              OEM Exhaust
                              ATK Fork Brace
                              LED Dash lights
                              Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                              Green Monster Coils
                              SS Brake Lines
                              Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                              In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                              Theodore Roosevelt

                              Comment

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