spark plug problem

[dannie_10]

hi wonder if someone could help .... have recently bought bike .... only had a month and in this time twice now I can't get it started ....it coughs and splutters but does eventually start ...... seems to be that the spark plug has worked itself loose...could anyone tell me if this is a common problem with an older (1993) nsr125... .maybe with the vibration? please use laymans terms as i haven't got a scooby doo about bikes .... hope to pass advice on to boyfriend or brother ..... all help appreciated

[Scooby]

Doubt it's 'worked loose'. More likely not been nipped down properly in the first place. Have a look at the plug, if you doubt it's in good condition get a new one for what they cost, tighten it down as much as you can hand tight, then just nip it down a tad with a plug spanner.
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A big enough hammer fixes anything!

[dannie_10]

thanks ...will pass advice on to my mechanics *laughs*

[stinkwheel]

Sparkplugs have a compression washer on them (a kind of squashed down metal tube in effect) which squidges down when you tighten the plug, if the plug has been in and out a few times, this washer can become permanently squashed down which tends to make the plug prone to coming loose.

When tightening up a plug, be carefull not to overtighten it as the metal it is screwing into is pretty soft, stripped threads here are a major pain in the arse! As a general rule, you screw it in 'till it is finger tight then give it 1/4 of a turn using the plug spanner (more accurate than using a torque wrench that, angular wassizname tightening)
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Worth mentioning that it is best to not tighten the spark plugs up in a hot engine as that would make it easy to overtighten / undertighten the spark plug.

Spark plugs working loose is not that uncommon on some 2 strokes, so just keep an eye on it.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[freestyler_onli]

My bike wont start full stop. Some old bloke reckons it might be the sparkplugs. Is he right?

Ie- how can i tell if they're the cause of the problem.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Quite possibly the spark plugs. Cannot really say without more details, but plugs are a common problem and are cheap and easy to replace.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[freestyler_onli]

I hope so. I just cant figure out why it wont start.