As the original owner of a 1973 bonneville, having removed the plugs countless times I've always wondered what to do if the threads stripped. The suspense is killing me. BTW the videos riding through the English countryside are fascinating to those of us us who have logged tens of thousands of miles traveling through the lower 48 states looking over the handlebars of classic British iron, but will probably never see the British isles.
Hi Bob :-) stripped threads are quite an easy repair if you have the gear. I'm glad you like my ride vids, I have ridden around ten of the states in the USA all totally different to riding here at home, I think the Boston area is about the closest. If ever you get to this neck of the woods I would gladly show you around :-)
Hello John At some point this happens with every old engine. This repair I had to carry out on my bike already . I am very happy that you make some videos of your work on your bike. Thank you for your effort . Greets Uli
Hi Uli :-) thank you, if you use them they will wear out and need maintenance, it's all part of the game, the riding makes all the effort worth while. Regards John
If I keep watching these videos there will be no choice but for me to trade my old Honda for an old Bonnie. Taking the head off of a CB550 involves a lot more bleeding. Well filmed and edited.
Hi Alberto :-) I think you would love an owld Bonnie, overhead cams are a different kettle of fish but still do-able with limited gear. When ever a tool box is opened blood sweat and the odd tear usually follows, snipped off cable ties are the usual culprit for exposing your claret! Thank you, I'm getting some nice ride vids up now and in wide screen :-)
Fantastic videos lunmad. Many thanks for this and other ones. Always very informative and skilled (and fun :) . I am learning a lot ( i hope..) about brit bikes. Cheers
Hi Anders :-) thank you, I'm glad you like my vids and I am happy to show what I know, early Brit bikes are not that complicated and as long as you use common sense, and are fairly easy to repair.
Ahh the joys of owning a fabulous old Bonnie me old mate. Still sorely tempted, after all there isnt much you haven't shown to guide the less gifted back in your treasure trove of vids. I'm on the cusp of selling the Harley as its finally time to get a Bonnie at last. I can afford a Hinkley or an older 650, I just have to decide! Must have a natter soon about all that. if I go for an old one, I'd appreciate you being involved in the choice, if that wouldn't be too much of an imposition.
i've done many an insert,it's whats left behind when you do it with the head on i've always wondered about.always thought it was a bit dodgy (and yet i've done it)
Copperslip and the like do make a mess of spark plug threads. Anywhere else is fine. Maybe the current flowing to earth has some effect. After noticing the phenomenon I keep spark threads free of everything! !!!
You could be right Rhubarb, I reckon it's spark plugs and the head being different metals setting up an electrolytic reaction of some sort, the copper slip may not help the situation but is probably better than no lubrication.
well there's part of the problem as to why shit keeps breaking on her.. You gotta get the replacement badge decal for the timing cover. You can't leave it with part of the badge left it's gotta be right or it'll keep throwing a fit! :P
Hi Otis :-) you could be right there, I have a badge somewhere when I find it I will do a vid putting it on. The only problem with them is the first time you polish the case you can almost guarantee you rub half the print off!
Stripped plug hole??? Two words: Shit Happens.......... I will say however from my experience, that copper and aluminum don't always play all that well together. Most anti-seize are of a copper base.
Hi Ed long time no hear, the different metals of plug and head might just set up a reaction like the sacrificial anode on outboard motors for instance.
Hi john. I really enjoy your videos, and love the fact you mostly use spanners and not too much in the way of sockets. Very old school, top notch.
As the original owner of a 1973 bonneville, having removed the plugs countless times I've always wondered what to do if the threads stripped. The suspense is killing me. BTW the videos riding through the English countryside are fascinating to those of us us who have logged tens of thousands of miles traveling through the lower 48 states looking over the handlebars of classic British iron, but will probably never see the British isles.
Hi Bob :-) stripped threads are quite an easy repair if you have the gear. I'm glad you like my ride vids, I have ridden around ten of the states in the USA all totally different to riding here at home, I think the Boston area is about the closest. If ever you get to this neck of the woods I would gladly show you around :-)
Hello John
At some point this happens with every old engine. This repair I had to carry out on my bike already .
I am very happy that you make some videos of your work on your bike.
Thank you for your effort .
Greets
Uli
Hi Uli :-) thank you,
if you use them they will wear out and need maintenance, it's all part of the game, the riding makes all the effort worth while.
Regards
John
If I keep watching these videos there will be no choice but for me to trade my old Honda for an old Bonnie. Taking the head off of a CB550 involves a lot more bleeding. Well filmed and edited.
Hi Alberto :-)
I think you would love an owld Bonnie, overhead cams are a different kettle of fish but still do-able with limited gear.
When ever a tool box is opened blood sweat and the odd tear usually follows, snipped off cable ties are the usual culprit for exposing your claret!
Thank you, I'm getting some nice ride vids up now and in wide screen :-)
I will no doubt try an old Bonnie one day, and with your videos I'll know how to keep it in proper shape!
Fantastic videos lunmad. Many thanks for this and other ones. Always very informative and skilled (and fun :) . I am learning a lot ( i hope..) about brit bikes. Cheers
Hi Anders :-) thank you, I'm glad you like my vids and I am happy to show what I know, early Brit bikes are not that complicated and as long as you use common sense, and are fairly easy to repair.
Great video. Thanks again.
Hi Kapteen :-) thank you.
Ive also stuffed a oil soaked rag down the hole to catch any extra chips along with the greased tap.Good luck
Hi Darlene :-) I won't give it away but wait till you see it with the head off!
Ahh the joys of owning a fabulous old Bonnie me old mate. Still sorely tempted, after all there isnt much you haven't shown to guide the less gifted back in your treasure trove of vids. I'm on the cusp of selling the Harley as its finally time to get a Bonnie at last. I can afford a Hinkley or an older 650, I just have to decide! Must have a natter soon about all that. if I go for an old one, I'd appreciate you being involved in the choice, if that wouldn't be too much of an imposition.
Hi Peter :-) no problem marra, I'm sure you know which one I favour. If it was a Hinkley model it would have to have carbs! :-)
pgod1960 in
i've wanted to know about this for years
Hi Dave :-) it's a fairly easy job if you can get hold of the insert kit. #2 vid shows the kit I used.
i've done many an insert,it's whats left behind when you do it with the head on i've always wondered about.always thought it was a bit dodgy (and yet i've done it)
Copperslip and the like do make a mess of spark plug threads. Anywhere else is fine. Maybe the current flowing to earth has some effect. After noticing the phenomenon I keep spark threads free of everything! !!!
You could be right Rhubarb, I reckon it's spark plugs and the head being different metals setting up an electrolytic reaction of some sort, the copper slip may not help the situation but is probably better than no lubrication.
John, are you still with us? haven't heard anything, Please Reply,,,, Mike J.
well there's part of the problem as to why shit keeps breaking on her.. You gotta get the replacement badge decal for the timing cover. You can't leave it with part of the badge left it's gotta be right or it'll keep throwing a fit! :P
Hi Otis :-)
you could be right there, I have a badge somewhere when I find it I will do a vid putting it on.
The only problem with them is the first time you polish the case you can almost guarantee you rub half the print off!
Stripped plug hole???
Two words:
Shit Happens..........
I will say however from my experience, that copper and aluminum don't always play all that well together. Most anti-seize are of a copper base.
Hi Ed long time no hear, the different metals of plug and head might just set up a reaction like the sacrificial anode on outboard motors for instance.