The first project was to take off the plastic body panels around the engine. With a nearly naked bike it was time to pull the spark plugs. It wasn't a real difficult job, but I was wishing I had a very small handed helper. The in-line 4 cylinder engine used a stick coil instead of regular spark plug boots and wires. It was a tight squeeze trying to reach between the top of the engine and the frame. There is JUST enough room to pull the coils out of the holes and get the Kawasaki tool kit spark plug wrench in the holes.
Panels off...
Three spark plugs come out from the right side of the engine. It's tight!
One comes out from the left side.
Here are 3 of the 4 stick coils.
The color of the plugs that came out was pretty good. The gap had widened a bit though.
After torquing the plugs, a little dielectric grease around the sealing area of the stick coils to ensure easy removal in another 30,000 miles and help seal out and dirt or moisture.
While I had everything apart, I replaced the air filter too. I had it out a week ago and knocked the bugs and grasshopper parts off of it, but I had to wait for the replacement to get here. I was looking inside the dirty side of the air box. I could see all kinds of bugs and stuff in there. I put a clean bag in the little Oreck vacuum and slipped on the small hose. It took a while but I got all the crap out. I cut open the bag to see just how much stuff was in there!!!
All the air enters through the hole in the front center of the fairing, and runs down 2 plastic tubes into the air box...
All that's left to do before I head out for Oregon is clean and lube the chain, check the air pressure and change the oil.
Nice work, enjoy your trip. I haven't posted because internet sucks here and takes forever to upload the pictures.
ReplyDeleteHello George, I was guessing you were having internet issues. Hope all is going well.
DeleteOhhh, sexy naked bike!
ReplyDeleteThe air filter and location look familiar...I haven't pulled the Connie's plugs myself yet but the air filter was a piece of cake.
Thanks Andrew, I followed directions posted on one of the zx-14 forums. Except for maybe wishing for smaller hands... Everything worked out well. I'm sure the plugs on the Connie would be just about the same.
DeleteSmaller hands can come in handy, unless you are trying to find gloves that fit, then they are just a pain.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the bug bits you sucked out of the air box. Just think how well it is going to run on your way out here.
Your hands aren't as small as the doll-hands lady from the Saturday Night Live skits are they?
DeleteI was amazed at how much crap was in the air box! Good thing the air filters work as well as they do. I've killed hundreds of South Dakota grasshoppers with that bike.
All these "preparing for my trip" reports are starting to annoy me!
ReplyDeleteWell done have a most awesome trip.
I know what you mean... In the winter, while I'm up to my a$$ in snow, I have to read about Kiwis and Aussies going for rides in beautiful weather.....
DeleteHi! I removed the stick coils and old spark plugs of my ZZR 1400 today. I noticed a lot of scratches on the upper part of the walls. However, I was super careful while removing the spark plugs. What should I do now? Any advice would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHello Unknown, you pulled the spark plugs out of your ZZR and saw scratches? You must be seeing the passage in the cylinder head that the plugs sit in. I don't think it's possible to see your engine's cylinder walls through the small threaded hole the plug screws in to... If you're seeing scratches around the hole the plug sits in, then I say, put your new plugs in, torque appropriately, reassemble..... drive and enjoy...
DeleteGood luck