thrown away ... really ?

[The Gecko_imp]

Another - related - question. When yo check your sparks after some 10,000 miles and they look as good as mine always seem to ... I put them back in with the initial torque. But of course the washer got compressed when the spark was first installed, and the torque should be increased (right ?)
Of course I wouldn't do this 5,6,7 times or more to the same spark. Now, just buying new washers for the sparks (IF you could find them) isn't worth it. So what do you do ? Not check the sparks, not re-use them, or increase the torque ?

(( user manual p.67 doesn't give torques, it quotes the old style 1/5 turn after it seats, etc. but to be honest that Honda procedure doesn't make a lot sense to me, not for old sparks, not for new. ))

[the Ferret]

I never check torque on a spark plug. Just snug them up.

[The Gecko_imp]

I never check torque on a spark plug. Just snug them up.

Don't wonna sound smart-a...
As long as you ride low rpms and temps (which most of us do on the CB1100 I guess), that can't cause any problems. But at 8000 rpm and high exhaust temps this could cause ... something when the gasket isn't tight enough ?
Or am I overly cautious ?

[Cormanus]

I once owned a Suzuki T250 two-stroke. Great bike. One dark night heading out with some mates on a camping trip, I got to the top of a hill and there was an almighty bang. A spark plug had blown clean out of the engine.

A mate towed me to our destination. There were no motorcycle shops, but I was referred to a small-engine repair man who wrapped a piece of asbestos rope around the thread and reinstalled it. Worked well until I could have it properly repaired.

[The Gecko_imp]

I once owned a Suzuki T250 two-stroke. Great bike. One dark night heading out with some mates on a camping trip, I got to the top of a hill and there was an almighty bang. A spark plug had blown clean out of the engine.

A mate towed me to our destination. There were no motorcycle shops, but I was referred to a small-engine repair man who wrapped a piece of asbestos rope around the thread and reinstalled it. Worked well until I could have it properly repaired.

AMAZING Corm, how come you are up that early in the morning ?
Did you know that the Wright brother's early engines didn't have or need sparks at all ?

[the Ferret]

I never check torque on a spark plug. Just snug them up.

Don't wonna sound smart-a...
As long as you ride low rpms and temps (which most of us do on the CB1100 I guess), that can't cause any problems. But at 8000 rpm and high exhaust temps this could cause ... something when the gasket isn't tight enough ?
Or am I overly cautious ?

Don't wonna sound smart-a...
As long as you ride low rpms and temps (which most of us do on the CB1100 I guess), that can't cause any problems. But at 8000 rpm and high exhaust temps this could cause ... something when the gasket isn't tight enough ?
Or am I overly cautious ?
Guess that is a legitimate concern Gecko. There is a torque spec for every nut and bolt on a motorcycle. Then you can get into the argument for dry thread torque vs wet thread torque lol. I also don't torque to spec oil drain plugs, or oil filters or axle nuts, or handlebar clamps etc. I doubt most people do. I do own a torque wrench but rarely use it. I think if you were working on internal engine parts, cranks, cam journals, engine cases etc it would be wise to follow torque specs. I worked in motorcycle shops for 17 years, never have seen a mechanic use a torque wrench on a spark plug. Not saying no one does, but I've never seen it.

I dont want to give you bad advice, so ignore it if you choose and follow your own conscience