Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Changing handle bars to clip ons.
Thanks to Judo.
http://www.gsx650f.biz/post29184.html#p29184

I hope this helps in relieving fears of changing the plugs. I spent exactly 1 1/2 hours from beginning to completion. First time for me so I thought I would relay some of my observations.
Changing Spark plugs.
1. Remove seat. If you need help with that, stop, do not proceed.
2. Remove both side fairings. Remember to disconnect turn signals by pressing firmly on quick disconnect.
3. Remove tank. Loosen and remove two bolts. There will be 4 connections under the tank. I placed a large towel under the rear of the tank so I could disconnect these while it's elevated.

A. Fuel connect. Press firmly on both sides of colored button and slide off.
B. Electrical. Press firmly on back of connect and seperate the connection.

C. Remove the two (vent?) hoses by pulling straight down.

4. Remove the two bolts that holds bracket and move it just a little rearward. This will be necessary to remove plug number 2.

5. Plug one (left side of engine on clutch lever side). This was in my opinion the most difficult. I was thinking as I started if they all were this difficult, I'd be here all day. First disconnect the electrical from the top of plug housing by pressing hard on the back of the quick disconnect, it comes with little resistance. Once the connect is removed, pull up through the access hole. The frame is actually notched so the plug assembly can be wiggled up through this area. This was very tight! I easily spent 10 minutes wondering if would actually fit through, but with some persistence, it does. What you end up with is this.

6. Next the actual plug. YES, the tool kit comes with the plug remover. I used that plus my ratchet with extension and socket.Worked beautifully. Here's a picture.

7. Plug two is accessible because the coolant bracket has been moved. Plugs 2, 3,and 4 all come out the same way. Plug 4 would be like plug 1, except a whole lot easier because of a little more room.
One mistake I made was I checked the antifreeze level by taking the radiator cap off. Don't at this time. A little anti-freeze spilled out and found it way around plug three hole (before boot was removed). Not a good thing to get antifreeze down a plug hole!
Notes:
For those who are stateside, I bought the OEM NGK CR8E plugs from Autozone. $4.49 each. I checked the gap but they were all set correctly at .030.
Good time to change the air cleaner. My plugs had 12,600 miles on them and they actually looked pretty good. Bike was running great before and I'm not sure I can tell the difference afterward, but I'm sure it was prudent to change them.

I'm not quite sure what else to say except for fighting with plug #1, it all went much better than expected. I took the opportunity to clean it up a little once I had the side fairings and tank off. Good luck!

Wow 90 minutes. You sure took your time But since its your first time you better look 2x or 3x before actually doing stuff. Gonna do mine when I get back from a long weekend abroad. Was planning on doing it last weekend but stupid me, I filled up the tank again and I was alone at home. Didn't like the thought of using 1 hand to lift the full tank and another to mess about under it.

So plug #1 has enough 'straight' room above it to use a wrench, or did you have to put it in on an angle?

I used that tool setup in the picture for all the plugs. The tool kit had a great spark plug remover. Surprise, surprise.

Great info applewins ,thanks for posting.

To make plugs one and four easier, remove the faring mounting brakets on both sides. You dont even have to remove them, just loosen the bolts and swing them to the side and out of the way. I also had a can of dust off handy. There was alot of sand and dirt laying about on top of the engine that I didn't want to drop into the plug hole, and a few shots of canned air got rid of it. A universal joint on the end of a socket extention will make the job easy.

You're 100% correct about blowing out the grit around the plug holes. I have an air compressor and wish I had done it. You're only 90% right on the fairing mountings because I didn't think of that! : )

LOL!! I fussed with plug one for a long time before I figured out the deal of moving that frigging bracket out of the way! haha!!

awesome post!! thanks! I'll probably do my own plugs now when the time comes!

I replaced the sparks 2 weeks ago, man was I disappointed in my time. Did it in 2+ hours But I did use a vacuum cleaner/compressor to blow/suck out dirt and took my time. Coil 1 is frustating untill you realise that if you use a big flat screwdriver from the side and lever it between the coil and camcover, you can wedge it loose pretty fast.

But I do need the throttle sync done because the bike responds pretty rough at low rpms.

2hours...and 4 beers?
I did the same leveraging the coil out. I used a small amount of silicon on the rubber when I re-inserted. Might help the next time I do it. Let us know what you find out about throttle syncing. From other posts I read, it doesn't sound difficult, just time consuming and having the right equipment. What would be really cool, but probably not practical, is if forum members could share in that equipment.

Off to morning coffee shop with some locals........

Power bronze side cover installation...thanks to f104s.
http://www.gsx650f.biz/post31988.html#p31988

Cutting rear fender seems to be a dead link....

Here is how I did it.

Take a marker and draw the line.
On the inside of the fender, remove the 2 screws that hold the licenseplate bracket.


Take a sharp knife, and just cut it.
Works better on a warm sunny day, the fender is softer .



And place back the bracket

If I'm going to pull the plastic and spend the time it takes to change the spark plugs on the GSX, I'm using NGK CR8EIX Iridium Plugs...if I'm going in, I'm going in once!

Also change them for CR8EIX. Never have to do it again