R6 spark plug change
December 23rd, 2011
As part of the winter strip I decided to replace the spark plugs even though the set in the bike were meant to have been replaced when I bought the bike back in October 2010. Lucky I did because the set in use had done alot more than 3500 miles I can tell you. I thought something was up because at low revs the bike would cough slightly and and felt like it was running on 3 cylinders.
The job of changing the plugs on the R6 is not the easiest of jobs. You need to have hands that can get in to the small working area between the top of the rocker cover and frame and are strong enough to remove the coil packs above each plug. On top of that you have to lift the tank and remove the air filter housing. Due to the high bar conversion on my 6 you have to first remove the handle bars and their risers before you can remove the tank so basically a a small plug swap requires half a strip down.. Slight exaggeration I know but it feels like it when you’re taking lots of parts off…
All plugs in and a quick start up to confirm all 4 cylinders are firing. You’ll soon know because things will be lumpy if one cylinder isn’t playing ball.
Moral of the story… Always ask for the old parts when you’ve agreed to have a service. If the garage cant produce the old bits they’ve probably not completed the service…
Next job… Oil change.
3500 miles of use? You tell me…
