Replacing spark plug boot and wires

[wally]

Well, my rear cylinder wire is officially trashed. It only fires on front cylinder and the rear wire and boot is in a bad shape.

Mechanic fixed it the last time it had issues.

Is it a difficult process?
Do I have to buy the parts from a HD or would I be able to get it from an auto parts/bike shop? (Bearing in mind I am in South Africa and finding parts for this bike is next to impossible...).

Ps - I did try the search function, but got no satisfactory results.

Thanx!

 

[keithg78]

Just replaced both of my wires this spring and it was a fairly easy process. I used OEM wires that I ordered from either Surdyke.com or Kutter Harley (I think they were around $10 each or less). I would stick with the OEM wires because they have the right bends and angles to get around the cylinder heads. I've seen aftermarket wires that do not look like they fit as well. You have to remove the seat, airbox cover, air filter, airbox baselate, and side scoop to get access. It is a tight fit to get your hand in there but you can access it with patience. A key trick to getting the wire boots to "click" onto the plugs is to use dielectric grease on the inside of the spark plug end boots. They will snap right on with the grease....without it you will struggle to get them on the spark plugs. Do not use grease on the coil side of the wires as they won't hold as well and may slide off later on. Get the manual for your bike and there are great instruction on how to change out the wires.

 

[anrkizm95]

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/Daves-DIY-videos-all-in-one-thread

 

[wally]

Thanx Keith (and anrkizm). Will swing past my local HD shop.

Done plug changes before, but wasn't quite shore on making up plug leads.
Will post my results.

 

[wally]

Ordered leads and boots from dealership. No stock in SA. Will take 2-3 weeks and is about US$15 for both.

Ok, as we are in winter. Will do some maintenance when I get the leads.

 

[wally]

Got my parts today.

For all the nonsense of other dealerships, I must say, HD Tygervalley gives me great service!

Struggled to find dielectric grease, but saw there was some squirted into the cap from the factory.

Fund that the easiest way was to take out the coil/controller, disconnect the leads, install boots, plug into coil, reinstall coil.

This is what the old rear lead looked like!

Fired her up and she still miss fired...did TPS reset and same result and then she started idling "smoothly".

Taking her out for a spin tomorrow.

 

[wally]

Well...that didn't last...

Reoiled the air filter, fitted all back together, fired her up and now the front cylinder is not firing!

Even installed old lead, took out plug and cleaned it, checked coil was mounted properly and same results everytime...

Any suggestions? Please?

 

[rchuff]

Check all your grounds to make sure they are tight, even battery . check plugs at ecm to make sure they are in all the way. If everything looks good I would wonder if cam sensor is going bad

 

[wally]

K, will check all the grounds, but will have to take it to my usual dude if it doesn't check out, as I don't have spyware or cables or knowledge to do it.

Thanx!

 

[wally]

I couldn't find the fault. Yesterday she point blank refused to start up at all.

Dropped her off at regular specialist. I am sure he will have her up and running in no time.

 

[wally]

Got her back yesterday and running like a champ!

Dude replaced plugs (which I cleaned and it still looked OK, but anyway...), cleaned venturi as well as some carb ports were blocked.

1 plug was completely soaked, the other completely dry, but that was to be expected I supposed...

Luckily no big issues! I am happy!

 

[iman501]

I just changed my plugs and wires last week, the wires are a bit of a pain to change..

 

[wally]

Yip, they are iman!

 

[motomaj]

just changed the plugs on my XT. man what a job!!!!!! took off things i didn't need to but finally with the help of my friend..what a guy!!! we did it. i say we but he is the one who did it. didn't use the die electric because i didn't know to use it. [mad] oh well it runs real well.

 

[wally]

But that's how you learn!

Next time it'll be easier!