Almost had a stroke (not really)

[the Ferret]

The CB spark plugs are crazy expensive on the 'net. I'll bet they're insanely expensive at the dealer. I quit buying filters at my dealer since they started charging $20 a pop for an oil filter. That's also why I went with the reusable K&N air filter. All those little bits and pieces add up quite quickly Especially when you're maintaining more than one bike.

I do like using oem parts on my bikes. Could probably save a few bucks using aftermarket stuff, but I have never had an issue with oem quality

Here are some of the prices for the CB stuff

Air cleaner $62.99
Front brake pad set $ 70.99 x 2 ... $ 141.98
Rear brake pad set $ 38.99
Spark plug. $ 18.99 x 4 ... $ 75.96
Oil filter $ 12.99 (x 3 ... $ 38.97)
Chain lube $ 14.99
1 gallon of GN4 10w30. $ 23.99
motion Pro spark plug wrench $ 19.99

Now they do give me a small discount on that, so I am not paying full retail on the parts thank goodness, but equivalent to buying from one of the online vendors I think.

Those parts will be consumed in the next 15,000 miles (just over a year for me on this bike) plus in that that time I will need 2 more gallons of oil and a set of tires. Whew!

Glad I've dropped from 6 bikes down to 2

[redbirds_imp]

In your list Mickey is a spark plug wrench. Do our CB's require a non-standard plug wrench? Have not inspected my plugs yet but they look pretty easy to get at.

Maintaining a bike can be expensive at times but they're less costly than many other hobbies. Scuba diving cost me far more than maintaining a bike.

[the Ferret]

The spark plug wrench is a thin walled 14 mm with a rubber gripper inside and the ability to use either a ratchet, or a 14mm box end wrench to loosen and tighten the plugs. It was reported by one forum member who has pulled his plugs

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1682

with this wrench you do not have to remove the fuel tank to remove the plugs. He did say he loosened the back of the tank and propped it up, and removed the outside plugs first. I have not had mine out yet, and might not for awhile but wanted to have plugs and wrench on hand just in case.

These plugs are very long and narrow and deeply set in the head. Threads are 26.5 mm long ( just over an inch long). Dealers do not seem to be stocking them so if you need them, they will have to be ordered.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Ouch! Besides oil changes, I don't do much else. Everything gets so expensive with motorcycles these days, that justifying a bike as a cheap, and economical alternative to cars is getting hard to sell. It's truly becoming something for the enthusiasts rather than the practical and thrifty person, as it used to be.

You're absolutely right it's getting hard to justify as a cost savings. (But that doesn't stop me from telling my wife that! ) It's only an economical alternative to a car IF you get rid of a car and replace it with a motorcycle. Even then you're not on easy street after you spend the 10 or 11K on the bike and then the expensive rider wear....For most of us it's more like a hobby and doesn't replace any car for various reasons like family size, need to transport items, weather, winter, etc.

[HikerToo_imp]

I just did a quick check at Motosport since that's where I ordered oil nad filter lately. Gets me mad that a local dealer where I am a customer can not match...
Air Filter $55
http://www.motosport.com/motorcycle/oem-...10-mej-981
Pad set $62
http://www.motosport.com/motorcycle/oem-...ke-caliper
Spark Plug $17.00
http://www.motosport.com/motorcycle/oem-...08-mgc-003

[the Ferret]

I just did a quick check at Motosport since that's where I ordered oil nad filter lately. Gets me mad that a local dealer where I am a customer can not match...
Air Filter $55
http://www.motosport.com/motorcycle/oem-...10-mej-981
Pad set $62
http://www.motosport.com/motorcycle/oem-...ke-caliper
Spark Plug $17.00
http://www.motosport.com/motorcycle/oem-...08-mgc-003

and free 3 day shipping on orders over $49? That's a pretty good deal especially if your local dealer isn't willing to cut you a little discount on parts, and since dealers don't stock this stuff anymore anyway, that requires 2 trips to the dealer, 1 to order and 1 to pick up. Might as well have it shipped right to your front door.

[redbirds_imp]

The spark plug wrench is a thin walled 14 mm with a rubber gripper inside and the ability to use either a ratchet, or a 14mm box end wrench to loosen and tighten the plugs. It was reported by one forum member who has pulled his plugs

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1682

with this wrench you do not have to remove the fuel tank to remove the plugs. He did say he loosened the back of the tank and propped it up, and removed the outside plugs first. I have not had mine out yet, and might not for awhile but wanted to have plugs and wrench on hand just in case.

These plugs are very long and narrow and deeply set in the head. Threads are 26.5 mm long ( just over an inch long). Dealers do not seem to be stocking them so if you need them, they will have to be ordered.

Thanks Mickey.

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

If I recall, our spark plug is used on a lot of Yamahas.
My mem'ry could be faulty on that tho
We pay good money to enjoy our sport. It's worth it. Tires, mounting and balance, plugs, synthetics (some of us), filters - air & oil, non-ethanol (some of us), accessories (OMG!!! thats an expense!), gear (holy cow, more $$$$. Insurance!
I don't care though. It gives me so much pleasure it's worth every penny or (hundreds of $$$$ it seems)

[pw363_imp]

I almost had a stroke just reading this..

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

I just ordered a K&N air filter last night. It's cost is almost identical to an oem.