spark plugs

[bardicastle]

i want to change the spark plugs on my 1200gs having never done this before i am looking for advice, i toke the plastic cover off but can't seem to work out how to get the plug out. i don't want to force anything in case i break something, do i need a special tool? i looked in the BMW tool kit and there does not seem to be anything there that can deal with extracting the cover over the spark plug.

Piss takers welcome

 

[Steptoe]

Two flat bladed screwdrivers will do the trick. They work better then the plug cap puller that's in the toolkit

 

[Kremmen]

That is of course if you were supplied with the plug cap puller....

 

[EggChaser]

+1 for steptoe 2 screw drivers - make sure you don't prize anywhere near where the electrical connection is as this is a tad fragile.

BMW used to supply a plastic tool that can do the job - but it is fiddly to use.

There are some sellers on the web (and e-Bay) that will gladly sell you a metal cap puller.

Once you have the cap out your next problem is getting a long thin walled spark plug wrench. If the walls of the wrench are too thick you risk jamming it into the cylinder head which means not going anywhere fast

Halfords sell (a Laserline?) one that will fit the main plugs - although recently I heard it can have problems on the secondary plugs.

 

[ianboydsnr]

thread a bit of nylon cord and use it to pull the cap off will usually work

 

[Owen Snell]

+1 for steptoe 2 screw drivers - make sure you don't prize anywhere near where the electrical connection is as this is a tad fragile.....

Just put some duct tape on the ends of the screwdrivers to avoid marking the rocker covers.

Once you have the cap out your next problem is getting a long thin walled spark plug wrench. If the walls of the wrench are too thick you risk jamming it into the cylinder head which means not going anywhere fast

Halfords sell (a Laserline?) one that will fit the main plugs - although recently I heard it can have problems on the secondary plugs.

I have a Halfords 'professional' plug socket that fits the primary but not the secondary. In fact, it's just the right size to get jammed in the head if you try it on the secondary
If you have a grinder, there is plenty of meat on the socket to take the OD down a bit, then it works fine on both plugs.

 

[bardicastle]

Thanks guy's i thought it was just me being clueless, but obviously it's BMW trying it damnest to make things difficult for the novice diy'er

 

[AndyW]

This might be helpful...

BMW R1200GS Sparkplugs - sparkplug recommendations and information

 

[Kremmen]

Do we have any riders using "Brisk" spark plus????? i used them on my 99 R1100s with very good results.

 

[AndyW]

I obtained some for my SV1000 a few years back but decided against using them as the electrodes didn't look very well 'machined' (there were 'burs' visible!.....maybe just a poor set I got?) - that said I have read good reports from people who have used them but not seen mention from a GS rider.

From the page linked to in my post above, I looked into the Brisk plugs for the GS.....some confusion as to which plug is recommended - BOR12LGS or BOR14LGS
BRISK BOR12LGS (BOR14LGS?)
MotorWorks.co.uk part number SIA43151
"Brisk are a four electrode plug which forces a stronger spark. Many of the 8vr twins suffer from hunting or surging at low revs i.e. in traffic, these plugs help reduce this problem.Highly recommended for chipped or tuned bikes."

 

[Kremmen]

Many Thanks Andy,
The difference between the 12 & 14 is the heat range ... i had the same problem when deciding which ones to us on the 1100s, in the end i purchased both sets to try. In the end the colder plug gave me best results.

 

[D6]

Do we have any riders using "Brisk" spark plus????? i used them on my 99 R1100s with very good results.

went to bulgaria and back with em in, no better and no worse than ngk,s etc,
in fact , they are still in, never had to regap or clean em,

 

[Kremmen]

went to bulgaria and back with em in, no better and no worse than ngk,s etc,
in fact , they are still in, never had to re gap or clean em,

Just in case this may of jogged your memory about possible re-gaping them DONT the earthing arms are not designed to be adjusted... if there out they should be replaced.
I have a friend who had them in a K series... one of the arms sheared off

 

[D6]

Just in case this may of jogged your memory about possible re-gaping them DONT the earthing arms are not designed to be adjusted... if there out they should be replaced.
I have a friend who had them in a K series... one of the arms sheared off

i was just reading what i put and was gonna edit it,
cheers