This is a HOW-TO from the zx14ninja.com forum. It was posted by 2000Kat600 on 1/1/2008.

Well, at 10K I comited myself to finally inspect and change the sparks plugs so I bought 4 new ones online and waited (not in a hurry) for its arrival.

I already attempted once before, by the 7.5K homer service and failed miserably, then after reading some pointers here I gave it a try.

1st.- Removing all the necessary plastics. A pain all by itself, but with plenty of time you'll get it done easily. (Keep an eye on the foam separator that divides the coolant fluid reservoir in half externally) Mine fell off upon removing the L side and I had no idea WTF that was,,, it took me forever to figure it out. A clue is inside the side plastic cover but basically separates the coolant fluid reservoir externally at a 45 degree angle or so to prevent hot engine air passing thru by your left leg.

2nd.- Stick coils. They're IN for sure. I'd say impossible to remove by hand alone, use anything that could give you some leverage, carefully and gently, once they give in, they're somewhat easy to pull by hand although requires slight maneuvering off and out the engine.

You may want to displace the air suction hose between 3 and 4 and move it forward and out fo the way until you're done with the entire job.

3rd.- Using the spark plug wrench from the tool kit (It works marvelously) I found much easier to remove #1 from the left side (Always assuming a normal riding position) then #'s 2,3 and 4 on the right side. There's a whatchamacallit crap between 1 and 2 that makes it very hard to deal with from the left side.

4th.- I'd follow the following order to get the most clearance and ease of the job.

1. #1 Whole job (Easiest.)
2. #4 stick coil out.
3. #3 Stick coil out.
4. #2 Stick coil out.
5. #2 Spark plug change, replace stick coil.
6. #3 Spark plug change, replace stick coil.
7. #4 Spark plug change, replace stick coil.
8. Don't forget to replace the suction hose back that you displaced to allow clearance!!! (Yep! I forgot it AFTER I put all the plastics back!!!)

5th.- Replace all the PIA plastics, ride and enjoy. Don't forget the plastic foams separators.

This is from a rider with pathetic mechanical skills who failed to do the job at the 7.5k homer service,,, but I gotta tell you, it's much easier once you do #1 plug because you see the whole procedure and get familiar with the entire process so you'd be more prepared for more difficult to reach ones like #2 and #3.

As a final note, have you manual open on the appropriate chapter so you can see the appropriate "facing" back of the stick coils, and make sure they click and u push them all the way in.

Good luck, noobies, I hope that this helps.

_________________

-2000 Suzuki Katana 600; 135,000 miles. (First bike, still have.)
-2002 Vulcan 1500 (2nd bike, gone)
-2006 ZX-14 (3rd bike, current, got new on 12/29/2007).
All my posts are for entertainment only, no real occurrences ever implied.

* Last updated by: bgordon on 2/12/2009 @ 2:48 PM *

Thanks for the pointers BG, I'm at 10.6K and really need to get in there and get this done soon. A couple of quick questions:

Did you notice any difference at all in the way the bike performed after the plug exchange, idle speed, throttle response, power etc.? Reason I ask is that someone I know (guilty party will remain nameless) ran theirs to 20k with no issues. I hear the short change interval is more for emissions compliance than performance.

What did your gap and overall condition of the electrodes look like?

I keep hearing the coil sticks are a real PITA. What did you use to pry them off with?

Kruz

Hi, Kruz.

Actually, I've never changed the plugs myself. I found the HOW-TO above in the Google cache from the old forum site, and posted it here. Maybe someone else can answer your questions... -bg

Did you notice any difference at all in the way the bike performed after the plug exchange, idle speed, throttle response, power etc.? Reason I ask is that someone I know (guilty party will remain nameless) ran theirs to 20k with no issues. I hear the short change interval is more for emissions compliance than performance.

What did your gap and overall condition of the electrodes look like?

I keep hearing the coil sticks are a real PITA. What did you use to pry them off with?

Kruz

Hi Kruz,

The overall condition of my spark plugs-electrodes/gap were fine. To the best of my knowledge, when "reading" a plug, it's not only so much what you see on the outside but what can't be seen from the inside of the electrode (like micro cracking). The newer the plug, the more efficient the electrical system functions and the longer it lasts. ...So, that's what I heard/read from a little birdie somewhere. LOL. Could all be BS. LOL. Food for thought.

Yes, the stick coils are somewhat of a PITA to remove. I used my fingers and lightly twisted as I FIRMLY pulled up at the same time. Eventually, they will give. The hardest is removing #2 stick-coil as you are coming from the right side (per the directions above). The space is limited but workable. When reinstalling the stick coils, don't forget to add a little silicone grease (or the like to the outside/inside of the boot) and those babies will slip back on like a French whore! LOL.

Can't really comment on the running/drivability (yet). Before things get "buttoned up", I am waiting for a special 110 degree Motion Pro (air-pilot/sync screwdriver) to be delivered to perform a TBS. Hopefully, it will work because the sync screw is a bitch to get at. I needed a freakn' dental mirror to even see that sucker. LOL.

Bottom line: just follow all the directions above from the original poster "2000Kat600", have the service manual as your companion & take your time!

* Last updated by: CoolWhip on 3/24/2009 @ 7:57 PM *

Thanks for the good info Coolwhip and yes, you heard right. The more a sparkplug wears, the more high voltage stress is placed on the entire ignition system ensuring eventual failure of some critical parts. I'm just curious though cause these same type fine wire plugs are used for waaaaay more than 8000 miles on automobile applications.

Kruz

* Last updated by: Kruz on 3/25/2009 @ 9:53 AM *

Okay, I feel goofy. I've racked up 35K and haven't checked plugs yet.I haven't noticed any issues yet, but after reading this thread, I should get it done SOONEST! Off topic, a small group of friends and I are going to be visiting Deals Gap at the end of April if anyone's interested. Thanks for all the great information guys!

What is the NGK OEM spark plug number? Is it the NGK DPR7EA-9?

If and when I get to the magic Change Spark Plug mileage threshold I have the easiest yet method to change plugs (this is detailed at current college freshman level, so stay with me):

a) go to Mad Kaw dealer you trust (or mechanic who fully understands "righty tighty, lefty loosie")
b) bring plugs if you're financially challenged
c) hand bike keys to barely-hominid behind the service counter. leave location c) for home
d) wait.... wait... wait... for the call from c) above. once the magic call is received:
e) return to location outlined in a)
f) pick up service gouge sheet from hominid mentioned in c)
g) go to the parts department run by pimply faced 18 year old, or shop owner's 18 year old almost-attractive daughter (except for the waistline that matches the number of states in the U.S. inch-wise, and the REALLY unfortunate mustache thing)
h) the hard part.. hand over LOTS of Ben Franklins (unless you print them yourself which can have unexpected legal ramifications)
i) return to location outlined in c)
j) show the receipt to hominid mentioned in c)
k) wait for owner's 12 year to disappear in the back. Hear sounds of engine coming to life. Hear sudden engine roar. hear the sound of Dearly Beloved get revved to 9 gazillion RPM on a cold engine (the kid's too short to reach the ground while sitting on Dearly Beloved and as he falls off the side grabs the throttle and jerks it WFO. Just after he snicks it 1st gear.
l) hear the sudden screech as the bike rolls forward off the center stand and the rear wheel spinning at warp 9 makes contact with the pavement.
m) listen to the engine and the kid a) wail and b) get fainter as both disappear out the back door of the shop.
n) hear the sudden scrEEECH! of traffic suddenly stopping to watch a red meteor appear in the intersection, to suddenly end in a mailbox waiting somewhere (by a miraculous coincidence)DIRECTLY at the end of the ballistic trajectory.
-sudden silence.
o) shakily walk through the shop to see: Dearly Beloved wrapped around said mailbox and 4 cars sitting in the intersection, bumpers pointing at various directions of the compass.
p) fade to black as screams of: anguish (yours) and laughter (everybody else) erupt.
q) for those who hung in and are still reading this: this episode was taken from a shop I worked at in Spokane, Washington in the early seventies.
r) the bike was actually a '72 S-2 Kaw triple.
s) Thank GOD I was a read-only parts guy/spectator-

t) hmm.. maybe I'll change my own plugs again, stick coils and all...

* Last updated by: ZX14Bobo on 10/8/2009 @ 4:42 PM *