Spark Plug Wires - Clutch 10/30/06

[Justin B.]

Clutch Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 2:42 pm    Post subject: spark plug wires

I'm sure some of you have seen the spark plug wires for sale on e-bay (they're always there). I was thinking about getting some with the steel plug caps, but on the listing it says he has 5k ohm and 1k ohm caps. I've got an '81 r65 (electronic ignition), so which do I need?

thanks,
Clutch


RobValdez1979R65 Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:00 pm    Post subject:

Well, if you want to know what I think, I think those metal capped units are CRAP! (If they are the OEM ones I threw away years ago.)

I think pretty much any caps and wires on eBay will be a rip-off, unless you are going for a concours 'look'.

I prefer to keep riding, even if it gets wet, so I buy these every-other year:



from this source http://www.mikesxs.com/mikesxs-electrical.php?category_id=2.1

He also has wires that are long enough. Total bill for caps and wires with shipping - $14.00

For the electronic ignition, be sure to get the 5K [ch8486] caps. I get the part # 23-3113 and remove the little screw-on cap that comes on the top of the spark plug.

edit: Apparently the the "last" word I heard on points ignitions is that the 5K [ch8486] caps are "OK" and will not hurt anything.  I think the stock caps (metal in my case) were 5K, and the remark was: "Why fix what is not broken?".  Like I said above, I have been using these for years and it runs fine, in that regard. (rv-11/19)

See this thread from last spring on Boxerworks:
http://www.boxerworks.com/phorum/read.php?f=1&i=155013&t=155013


Clutch Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:19 pm    Post subject:

Excellent Rob! Just the advice I was looking for, with good justification.

thanks


RobValdez1979R65 Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:10 pm    Post subject:

Oh Clutch, did you read the entire thread I linked you to? I wanted to make sure you did not throw away your original wires until you scavenged the metal caps from the ends that go into the coil. You will want to reuse these on your new wires.
Are you handy with a soldering iron?
http://www.boxerworks.com/phorum/read.php?f=1&i=155029&t=155013


Clutch Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:54 am    Post subject:

yeah, I read it. Good thread (there's so much stuff to read out there). So those plug caps are just self tapping, huh? Is it like putting a terminal end on some coax antenna wire? Do you have to trim/prep the end of the wire before you start screwing the cap on? I think I can manage the soldering job, but I'm no pro at it.


BobRoller Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:01 pm    Post subject:

What about a source for the rubber boots that go on the coil outputs? I've never seen them in an auto parts store.


Emiller Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:21 pm    Post subject:

BobRoller wrote:

What about a source for the rubber boots that go on the coil outputs? I've never seen them in an auto parts store.
\

I got some at my local Napa.


BobRoller PostPosted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:26 pm    Post subject:

Thank's Ed my local NAPA (No Auto Parts Available) store has to order just about everything you need ,their display of items is pretty poor.


justinbowser PostPosted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:27 pm    Post subject:

But, you can get them - I think they are in the Belden line. Or, I just use the coil boots off the old wires.


RobValdez1979R65 Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:44 pm    Post subject:

Old boots off the coil ends is how I went, also.

You will find that silicone spray lubricant will help the rubber to rubber situations (the boots).

Clutch, no special prep is necessary to connect the wires to the caps. Just a flat, clean cut.

This is one of the easiest things I have ever done to my bike. Please don't fret!


BobRoller Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:51 pm    Post subject:

I was just wondering about availability, as after 4-5 years in this desert heat, the rubber becomes hard and doesn't seal real well after you've disturbed them.


justinbowser Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:45 pm    Post subject:

Bob, I think NAPA carries Belden and they have all the boots, etc. Also, maybe look at summitracing.com?


Clutch Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:03 am    Post subject:

I replaced the plug wires yesterday. Not a big deal, like you said Rob. I ordered the parts from MikesXS. One of my metal ends that gets soldered onto the wire has a small longitudinal groove in the bump that holds it into the coil, and therefore it is not held in as snugly as the other (sorry, no photo). Can you get replacements for these?...and not the crimp-on replacements that you have mentioned, but the solder-on ones?


justinbowser Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:38 am    Post subject:

The crimp-on coil terminals are just fine as long as you have the proper crimping tool. According to the HTK parts database there is a part that appears to be this clip (drawing looks slightly different, but you know how that goes) with a part number of 12128536120 and the coil end boot is 12118536129.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

When I saw Justin had added this thread, I noticed from my original replies' grammar, that a photo must have been in it.  So I thought, I would try my moderator powers and see if I could edit Justin's post and put the picture back.  It worked!  I also added a little section of recently gleaned knowledge...

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Rob,

With confirmation of your editing powers does this mean you have attained "Super Hero" Status?

Bill

[Justin B.]

Thanks, Rob.  I was in "mindless drone" mode when cutting from original post, pasting into notepad, theover to here.  I think I was able to keep all the emoticons straight, but...