I just cant win. Stripped Spark Plug

Was working on my bike. Took a day off because its HOT here in NYC and I wanted to ride. Changed the clutch cable this morning on my 77 KZ650 and then the mrs got upset because I was in the garage doing other stuff from 7am to 9am.

Took a break and then thought I should change the plugs. When back into the garage and was changing it, and the Mrs comes, yelling full tilt that I havent take the kids clothes out of the dryer. I was annoyed and continued screwing in the new spark plug. She distracted me and it stripped the thread in the block.

I was so angry i nearly fainted. Now what? Here is a pic

I was going to post this for the other Guy 9er in Colorado.
But this is a must for your tool box for working on old motorcycles, or anything with a 14mm spark plug.
Common at all Chain Car Part stores. This is about 20 yrs. old. 3/8" drive. Has 3 slots in it, hardened steel. Don't waste your time and effort grinding slots in an old plug. These are under $20 bucks.
A little grease and turn it thru all the way. It's as good as it will get it.
If too cross threaded you will need a time sert or heli-coil. Both can be done on the engine without taking apart! Remember aluminum shavings are soft and wont hurt anything in an engine. Just look at an oil pan taken off a running bike, It's full of crap most times
Good luck!

Sorry to hear, wife's and bikes don't always mix that well.
Anyhow, head off and helicoyl, v-coil or timesert it.
People have done it without removing the head, but that is not the best of ideas in my neck of the woods.
/Anders

z1kzonly wrote: I was going to post this for the other Guy 9er in Colorado.
But this is a must for your tool box for working on old motorcycles, or anything with a 14mm spark plug.
Common at all Chain Car Part stores. This is about 20 yrs. old. 3/8" drive. Has 3 slots in it, hardened steel. Don't waste your time and effort grinding slots in an old plug. These are under $20 bucks.

A little grease and turn it thru all the way. It's as good as it will get it.
If too cross threaded you will need a time sert or heli-coil. Both can be done on the engine without taking apart! Remember aluminum shavings are soft and wont hurt anything in an engine. Just look at an oil pan taken off a running bike, It's full of crap most times
Good luck!

Thanks for this. I have a local shop nearby and they fixed it....for $100. Beats hearing my wife yell at me for being in the garage.

scubaanders wrote: Sorry to hear, wife's and bikes don't always mix that well.
Anyhow, head off and helicoyl, v-coil or timesert it.
People have done it without removing the head, but that is not the best of ideas in my neck of the woods.
/Anders

Thanks for this. I have a local shop nearby and they fixed it....for $100. Beats hearing my wife yell at me for being in the garage.

Ha Ha. My garage is Sacred domain....And Cortana Plays The sounds of silence Often. all I have to do is point my finger at the Bloodhound and say Bang! and its all over. And my Girlfriend is aware of the cost

So I bought A 14 mm x 1.25 back tap through amazon, $29.00 It arrived in 2 days. I was charged for 1 but they sent me 3 Ill give it a try and then maybe buy a plug tap.

I have personally witnessed this exact same thing happen about 10 years ago. At a buddies house who was screwing around with his bike; Wife comes out all upset, friend goes into the house for 10 min. Comes back out into the garage FUMING, and promptly crossthreads a sparkplug. Was tightening the thing so hard and fast that the damage was all done before he realized it. He was almost in tears.

Best of luck to you, glad you got it repaired.

I built my shop on the other side of the property. Strict rule, not to be disturbed while I was over there. I had a intercom so if it was a emergency I would stop what I was doing and come to the house. It worked. Sometimes I would just go there to chill for a while. Later while being a single parent with two teenagers it was for my sanity more than anything else. I miss my shop. It was a different vibe over there.
Steve

jenkrider wrote: I have personally witnessed this exact same thing happen about 10 years ago. At a buddies house who was screwing around with his bike; Wife comes out all upset, friend goes into the house for 10 min. Comes back out into the garage FUMING, and promptly crossthreads a sparkplug. Was tightening the thing so hard and fast that the damage was all done before he realized it. He was almost in tears.

Best of luck to you, glad you got it repaired.

Thanks!!