Removing Rockster Center Spark Plug

[Cliffy777]

Well, Cliff is attempting to bond more with his machine AND save money. The Good News: I was able to install my new K&N air filter this morning. To do so on a Rockster involves the removal of the gas tank and various side gizmos. I did it...I did it. AND the bike starts.
Two problems: There is a Catch-22 in my Clymer manual. The part about removing the gas tank instructs me to remove the negative terminal from the battery. The battery un-hook part instructs me to remove the gas tank! (No biggie, I did the removal without unhooking the negative terminal. Hope that ain't bad - I can't get my big paws in to the battery with the tank on.)

#2 - This is still bugging me, but I quit before I got pissed. I wanted to change the spark plus (13,500 miles) and the little plastic tool BMW includes with the bike to remove the "direct ignition coil assembly" does not work. I put it on from the front and slid it back and it just pulls off w/out bringing the "coil assembly" thing with it. Tried for 10 minutes until my blood pressure was peaking. Anyone else experience this?
Thanks, as always.

[lorazepam]

Ok Cliffy, calm down and try again. If you put it way down as far as you can, and push it till it seats. Then hold the curved part of it with one finger, and pull straight out it should work. I know that when the plug wires are stuck to the plug, it can be difficult. I took mine out yesterday as I completed my 12k service.

If it doesn't work, take some needle nosed pliers, and pull on the wire gently, you dont want to damage the electronics that reside there. Good luck buddy, I know you can do it.

[dzimbric]

The first time I pulled mine was an experience. i didn't want to pull it too hard but I found that if you squeeze the round thing while you are pulling it out the tool won't slip off. Once it comes loose you have to pull the long cylinder thing (I think it's the coil) out.:confused:

[Colt03]

I wouldn't use pliers, I understand that it is pretty expensive to replace if F'd up.

I just make sure that it is snapped securely in place and use one hand to squeeze the top and bottom of the tool together and then use the other hand to gently but firmly pull straight out.

Good Luck

[dtgates]

OK, I bit the bullet and bought my spark plugs yesterday ($56.10).
I have a 04 R1150R with 14500 mile. I figured it is time for new plugs. I pulled the boot, but I can't get the spark plug socket into the plug well far engouh to grab the hex nut part of the plug. I have a craftsman 5/8 plug socket and I also tried the BMW wrench from the stock tool kit. Am I just being stupid here? What am I missing?
Any thoughts is much appreciated.
Thanks in adavance,
Doug

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Cliffy I know what you mean that happens to me each time the first attempt after I forgot to keep the plastic tool pressed firmly and pressure maintained while pulling on the loop at the same time. This caps vacuum seal pretty good. Next time I am going to silicone the rubber on the inside to seal but slide back easier.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

OK, I bit the bullet and bought my spark plugs yesterday ($56.10).
I have a 04 R1150R with 14500 mile. I figured it is time for new plugs. I pulled the boot, but I can't get the spark plug socket into the plug well far engouh to grab the hex nut part of the plug. I have a craftsman 5/8 plug socket and I also tried the BMW wrench from the stock tool kit. Am I just being stupid here? What am I missing?
Any thoughts is much appreciated.
Thanks in adavance,
Doug


Sorry to hear your trouble. The wrench for the plugs should be a very long tube to get down the access hole dgates. The one for the GS works fine but it is very long and the tube appears to be fairly thin walled too. Just a thought, did you take the rubber plug out of the socket? Just curious if it is getting hung up on that at all. Another alternative is to silicone the rubber inside the socket.

[dtgates]

I looked in the plug well and there were some small bits of sand/tiny peebles stuck along the spark plug and the surface of the plug well not allowing the socket to go over the plug. I took a screw driver blade and dislodged the grit and blew it out. I guess next time I will try harder before posting.
Thanks for the input.
Doug