stripped spark plug hole...

Well, I never mentioned the make of the bike... 1. because this is a kaw site, but my question is universal to any bike. and 2. I didn't want to get made fun of

apbling wrote: Well, I never mentioned the make of the bike... 1. because this is a kaw site, but my question is universal to any bike. and 2. I didn't want to get made fun of

We would never make fun of you for working on a Honda. Pity you - yes; but never make fun of you. :laugh: Ed

don't worry, I have a Honda too

i114.photobucket.com/albums/n248/Jeekinz/f200.jpg

Kidkawie wrote: don't worry, I have a Honda too

i114.photobucket.com/albums/n248/Jeekinz/f200.jpg

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

hehe thats good!

I can really tell after working on my 93 shadow, and my cousins 75 cb 125 and 75 cl 350 that Kawasaki seemed to be a little higher quality and it seems like you don't have to take every GD thing off the bike to get to work on one little thing.

For instance, when I have to take my carbs off my 93 shadow, I basically have to clear the day of appointments. On my 550 and 750 I could have them on and off 30 times in a day.

- not to kiss a$$, but for every bike, tv, computer, tiller, lawn mower etc etc that I work on I look for a forum. I bet I belong to 15 of them. This one by far is the best. I can ask any question and get quick and excellent responses. The other forums not so much...I know there are people with the knowledge, but they don't always take the time to answer.

apbling wrote: Well, I never mentioned the make of the bike... 1. because this is a kaw site, but my question is universal to any bike. and 2. I didn't want to get made fun of

Not to worry, as the Honda 350 was mentioned in the initial post of this thread.

apbling wrote: So, it's not a Kawasaki, but I manage to have a Honda 350 with a stripped spark plug hole.

I REALLY don't want to pull the head, mainly because it's not my bike and I'm reviving it for a friend. Aside from finding a new head off ebay or something, what are my options?

See long-standing link in my sig --
kzrider.com/forum/13-bike-related/268584...-little-buddy#268584

Good Fortune!

OK, so I drilled out the hole, tapped it and then started to put the insert in. The insert doesn't have a real "lip" on it, but some rough knurling around the top edge. Anyway, stupid me thought I'd feel it lock in...well I wasn't feeling it so I stopped and looked...I went a thread too far. I have blue loctite on it now... Think I'll have issues? I'm worried it will:
1. When I put the plug in it will spin the insert further in
2. When I take the plug out, it will pull the inert out (which is actually better than going in the damn cylinder...)

Ok, just tried to put the plug in...worked fine.

But, I'm worried that the plug might be too far into the head. It's only a thread or two, but I'm worried the piston or valve might hit the plug. I put the plug in and turned it over with a wrench on the crank and didn't feel any resistance. However, when I pulled the plug out, the soot that was on the plug was disturbed a bit...wasn't sure if it was like that before or if the valves/piston are just barely rubbing it. Any idea how I can test this theory?

I just tried to put a little red grease on the plug. Put plug in, turn it over a few times, pulled out, the grease wasn't smudged or smeared away and no grease on piston/valves. I just got concerned when I saw the soot on the plug looked fishy (but I never looked at it BEFORE I put it in) and there is a corresponding mark on the cylinder head in the carbon that would appear like the plug touched the piston, but I can't get it to re-create that event...