How to Gap a Sportbike Spark Plug
Modern sport bikes are performance-focused, aggressive road machines that surpass the standards set by models made just years ago. With some sport bikes capable of sustaining speeds near 200 mph, they rely heavily on a high state of tune and maintenance. Even the smallest of components requires precision settings to provide the high level of performance expected. One such component is the spark plug, which promotes combustion by passing an electrical spark across a gap between the pair of electrodes at its tip.
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Things You'll Need
- Automotive spark plug gap tool
- Spark plug
- Owners or service manual
- Needle nose pliers
Instructions
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Remove the new spark plug from its packaging and measure the gap distance by sliding the smallest "feeler" on the gap tool between the two electrode at the tip of the plug. Work your way through the various feeler sizes incrementally until the feeler slides through the electrodes with a slight amount of tension. This is the current distance of the gap.
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Refer to your owners or service manual for the proper gap settings. If the gap is set correctly, install the spark plug into your motorcycle.
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3
Set the gap distance by pressing gently on the outer, or ground, electrode. The electrode does not need to move very far. Recheck the gap distance with the gap tool.
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4
Reset the gap, if necessary, by lifting the ground electrode upwards slightly with a pair of small needle nose pliers. Recheck the gap distance with the gap tool and set as necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not have access to a owners or service manual for your motorcycle, contact your local dealer for gap settings and specifications.
In most cases, if you are replacing old spark plugs with the exact type of plug, the gap will be preset from the manufacturer. To avoid the possibility of mis-fre, check the gap anyway before installing the spark plug.
If you do not feel confident that you can perform this task, have the work performed by a qualified technician.
Do not put pressure on the center electrode. This electrode is made from a brittle material that is easily damaged.
