Colortune Stripped Spark Plug threads

So I have a stripped #3 spark plug head. I was using my colortune and on the last plug, as I finally got the mixtures correct, I went to remove the colortune and it became stuck after a few turns. Well fast forward, and now I have a colortune with 'melted' threads and a far gone spark plug thread. I've only had the colortune about a week and the ceramic outer insulator near the sight glass broke on my first install. Considering my investment thus far and the cost of the colortune I patched it with electrical tape and went through a round of tuning and it performed well enough for me to decide to roll with it. My first round of adjustments were too lean so I went at them again today. I did three carbs at idle with a BIG shop fan blowing directly on the motor and had a break of a couple minutes inbetween. On the last one this dilemma occurred and now I am out colortune and sparkplug, though I may have finally nailed the mixtures. :?


So here is where I need advice. I have changed the oil twice since acquiring the bike and although I could do it again and pull the top half of the motor and switch it with the housing from a parts bike, I dont know what I'm doing with removing the cams and chain and whatever else I'll run into.

I came across a thread suggesting the insert and tap kit and it looks to be far less of a headache than taking apart vital components and hoping I get them right with limited tools and space to work on it.

Do I use the kit or bite the bullet and do the swap? I'm mechanically experienced but I don't exactly have the facilities to do the swap operation in any quick or clean manner.

 

i got my #2 spark plug hole helicoiled, cost 50 bucks and good as new.

 

Dont get a helicoil insert , get a time insert, the are a solid insert , better than a helicoil for sparkplug thread repair. The advantage is that they offer a better heat transfer than helicoils, which , I am told, actually have the same effect as changing the heat rating of the sparkplug by one step . I have had it done on my xj650 and xj900 projects at only $25 each. Any specialised head service will do ,and probably recommend it, rather than helicoils. cheers, Murray

 

I believe NAPA sells an plug insert kit you can do yourself if you feel up to the task.

MN

 

+1!

 

gee, i will keep that in mind, (not getting a helicoil insert) its done over 20 000k;s since i had it done (helicoil), everything is running perfect, if only i had got a time insert(solid insert), i must be on borrowed time., lol

 

I,m not saying that a helicoil wont do the job,just that a time insert will do it better, cheers, Murray

 

gday murray, hows your weather down there, just got out for the 1st ride this week, (been wet), sorry to hijack

 

Has anyone thought about the possibilty of using Champion Spark Plugs anti-seize? I don't know if they STILL make it, but I do have a bottle. A word of caution... this will short out your plug, use it on the threads only.
(It's a black liquid in a little bottle with a brush in the cap)

 

I use regular anti-sieze compound.

 

Loctite C5A Copper colored antiseize is really good, along wth Fel-Pro Moly 50 (black stuff). This stuff works great on the bike and for car applications like disk brake bolts and lug nuts where temperature is an issue (on cars). You will be amazed at how easy and quick a disk brake change will go using this stuff, but it works really good on motorcycles too!

 

Virtually every bolt that goes into my bikes have either antiseize or non pernament loctite, makes things so much easier in the long run,
Cheers., Murray