Spark plugs

[chris50cc]

I know this would make better sense in the workshop section but i know i'll get more posts here and i need as much help as possible.

I have a Gilera Dna 50. There is a little red cap which connects the spark plug to the bike by just popping/clicking into place. Now the cap, which is attached to a cable and goes into the bike,has lost its thread and won't grip onto the spark plug. I know its not the plug itself because i bought a new one today and tried it.

What i wanted to know is:

Will i be able to replace the cap/cable?
Will it be expensive?
Will i need a mechanic to do it?

All help welcome!

Thanks!
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[swampy]

Yep they are easy and cheap to replace. Ask your local dealer for a plug cap for whatever bike you have. Then unscrew the cap from the HT lead, and screw the new one on. Are you sure that you need a new cap though ? You say that thread has gone, normally plug caps dont screw onto plugs, just push fit. If you have just replaced the plug before the problem, have you unscrewed and removed the little plug connector on top of the plug ? A lot of bikes dont need this on their plugs, and they wont fit into the cap with them on..
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[stinkwheel]

The bit you are referring to is called the 'plug cap'.

First off make sure you haven't made a basic mistake, some are designed to push on over the top of the thread on the spark plug, others are designed to press on over a small metal bead that is first screwed on the top of the plug. Check the old one, if it has a metal bead on top of it, you might need to transfer this to your new plug (it should unscrew)

Replacing a plugcap is a piece of piss. They usually just screw straight into the end of the cable (called the HT or "High Tension" lead) by means of a course threaded screw inserted up the middle of the insulation. There is then a rubber boot that fits over the join to keep the water out.

If you unscrew the old plugcap, you should be able to take it to any decent motorbike (or indeed lawnmower repair) shop and say "Can I have one like this please." They should then sell you an NGK plug cap for about £2.50 which you take home and screw back on. It is worth snipping the bottom centimeter off the HT lead before fitting a new plug cap to give good contact.

If the motorbike shop doesn't have them or says they can't get them, they are not a decent motorbike shop, try somewhere else, they should have four of each size (you get different lengths fro different engines) in stock if they are worth their salt.

NGK plug cap
https://www.monkeybike.co.uk/acatalog/NGK_plastic_plug_cap_med.jpg
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[chris50cc]

Yes i did remove the little metal bead.

Thanks for the help
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Live to the max
Live for the moment
Live forever!!!