[bikefree]

My bike didn't come with the toolkit. I understand that I need the spark plug wrench. The dealer can't find one. How do I get the standard spark plug wrench or what can be used instead?

Thanks

 

[Midnight]

I haven't really looked at my tool kit, but on past bikes, there was nothing special about the spark plug tool. Is there a reason why you (or anyone) needs the Suzuki provided tool?

My metric socket set has a spark plug socket which I always used on my other bikes, as it was better than the tools they came with.

 

[greywolf]

The Strom toolkit spark plug wrench folds in the middle. I know of no other tool that will get the front plug off without removing the radiator.

 

[BillZ]

The spark plug wrench is specific to Vstrom because of the way the plugs are mounted in the cylinder head. My wee has two plugs per cylinder but I can't say is this is true for all Vstroms. The plug wrench is critical to removing the plug because it loosens and holds the plug while you remove the plug from the head. I tried it other ways and I am sure that you could fabricate something else to do the job, but I just used the standard kit wrench because I believe that you would end up building the same type of tool. The space on the leading cylinder is very tight to get the plug removed.

I'd start at your local boneyard and then go to Craig's list or ebay for the actual wrench. However, there are more qualified and vastly more experienced DIYr's on here that can advise you. Greywolf is the voice of sanity as well as one of the leading authorities and most anything that can be known about the VStrom. Good luck...:beatnik:

 

[bikefree]

This is my first time replacing sparkplugs on my strom, but I have read on this forum that the front sparkplug on the 07 and later stroms is hard to get to and the stock plug wrench seems to work best.

Love to know if I'm wrong and I will just use my own sparkplug wrench. I just didn't want to get started without the needed tools.

 

[PTRider]

Tool Assembly, Bike Bandit #1033137, $74.85 (gulp).

The plug can be replaced without the Suzuki tool, but it is more awkward to do so. Consider iridium lifetime plugs.

 

[greywolf]

If the radiator is removed, any properly sized spark plug wrench will do fine. Take the radiator off when doing a valve clearance check at multiples of 14,500 miles, replace the plugs with Iridium CR8EIX plugs and never take them out again.

 

[honest bob]

I am a firm believer in removing the rad that is in your way when you try to remove that front plug, then pretty much any extension and socket will fit in the space. If you have the maintenance manual you can follow the instruction in it to shift the rad back or remove it. It will take an extra hr. for first timers but you won't flatten a bunch of the rad fins:headbang:. You also get to verify a bunch of electrical connecters while your at it.:thumbup:
While your at it here is a couple of tips. Those deep tunnels that contain the spark plugs can also contain dirt. If you don't get it out before you remove the plug from it's threaded hole, you may allow dirt to fall into the cylinder:yikes:. Your bike has a drain hole for those deep tunnels and it probably needs to be opened up. Debris eventually plugs it and it won't drain very well if water gets by the cap seal on the plug wire. Once the drain is open (accessible from behind the lower plug, you remove the lower plug and you can see it, but you have to plug it's hole to prevent dirt from entering it too) you can force the dirt out of the deep tunnels with compressed air after removing the plug wire & cap seal from the plug.

 

[bikefree]

Thanks for all the input. I'll take out the radiator and install the iridium plugs. This will leave only the valve check for the mechanic.

 

[farmerlou]

Thanks for all the input. I'll take out the radiator and install the iridium plugs. This will leave only the valve check for the mechanic.

After doing all that work, you may as well go ahead and check the valves. If they check out okay, you are home free. As you pull the valve covers off, gently pull the gaskets out of the covers and lay them on the head of the cylinder. This way you will not have to re-cement them to the engine. Just be very careful to work them back into the valve cover upon re-installation. Make very sure they are back where they belong before wrenching the covers tight.

 

[PTRider]

...then look very closely at the covers when you first start the engine to check for oil leaks. This can best be done with the seat off and the tank raised.

 

[bikefree]

I pulled back the radiator and was able to change the spark plug easily with a standard socket wrench. Replaced all four with iridiums and the strom has a bit more pep.

Pep is good. :thumbup:

Thanks for all the input.

 

[biker128pedal]

The Strom toolkit spark plug wrench folds in the middle. I know of no other tool that will get the front plug off without removing the radiator.

I just use a 3/8" drive socket wrench, short extension and spark plug socket. Just pivot the lower part of the radiator forward. I'll have to try the toolkit wrench next time. Have not taken the wrench out yet. :yesnod: