Getting the plugs out of an XJ700 MaximX

Afternoon guys

Not been on here over the winter as after a two week convelesing after an operation last November the bike wouldn't start & it got so cold I've been using the car for work! LOL

Basically got pissed off at the bike so walked away until recently. I've cleaned my carbs out with the help found here on the forum, cleaned & checked the peticock, got a new inline filter, rescued the peticock filter from inside the tank! & now before I finally fit the carbs, I am going to check & probably renew the plugs.

Would like top ask a couple of questions on this subject .....

Are the XJ700 plugs the larger or smaller plug socket?
I am under the impression they are the larger size socket, but my plug socket won't fit down between the rocker covers to even try to fit down into the block Even borrowed my mate's Snap-On plug socket which was slightly thinner walled than my one, but it still won't fit in

Do I need a special plug socket? or do I need the style that come in bike OEM tool kits?

It's been driving me mad & would like to change the plugs, so any assistance (as usual!) would be greatfully received.

Thank you in advance ..... Babylon

 

While I am not familiar with the X models, I have looked at the one I have and you will need the smaller socket. The X uses smaller plugs. I'm going to assume your mate set you up with a 14mm plug socket which is too big for your bike. But I must confess, I don't know the exact size you need. Might t be the 12mm or even the 10mm. Best of luck!

 

The sparkplug socket that comes in the Bikes' tool roll fits perfectly.

 

The plugs are 12mm thread.
Most of the plugs take an 18mm socket and my craftsman 3/8" drive fits down the hole no problem.
I have had some plugs that take a 16mm socket also.

I have had debris fall down the hole when working on the bike to prevent the socket from going down onto the flats but that doesn't sound like your problem.

 

There you go. "12mm" plug, takes an 18mm socket, just like the 550s.

 

Here is a link to everything you need to know about the Maxim X sparkplug socket.

http://www.maxim-x.com/sparkplug_socket.html

 

I think Spark Plugs need Standard Plug Sockets or Deep Sockets.

Plug Sockets come in 5/8ths - or - 13/16ths.

NGK - Bosch and Champion are 5/8ths. Standard

AC/Delco - Autolite and others make 13/16ths.

Metric Sockets might slip or round-off a Hex point.

 

Cheers for all the advice guys

Also special thanks to FelixMCC ... I'll be taking advice from there (as well as everyone's here!) and if i can't beg, borrow or steal something that will do the job this weekend I have found a UK stockist for the Motion Pro thinwall long reach sparkplug socket

Any futher ideas or solutions to this job will be posted up to help anyone else

Wish me luck this weekend getting the bike back on the road and if I hit any other problems, I'm sure you'l see my pleads for advice here on the forum to help me get back on two wheels as I'm getting soft driving the car to work every day with heating & a radio!!! LOL

 

Good luck, I found a thin wall 18mm socket at the local auto place that fit in. Make sure to have a 3" extension on it, too. Six inch will work on #1 and #4, but will be too long for #2 and #3.

 

Cheers for the advise on the extensions fella 8)

I have both lengths in the tool box!!!