NoLmtz
New member
Spent a couple of hours yesterday replacing my spark plugs and wires on my '13 STS. I used Accel wires and NGK IX Iridium Spark Plugs all ordered from BajaRon! BajaRon provides awesome response and quick ordering and quick follow-up to emails!
The day before I changed my oil, etc so I already half the panels off. Took some time to remove the remaining panels and to locate the plug locations. Ended up keeping the airbox on, just loosened it to allow for some flexibility in wiring the new wires in and around and under the airbox / engine. I'd be lying if it wasn't tedious... and it's not something I want to do a lot of, but it's done and nice to have quality items installed... and now I know my machine much more intimately!!
Took it for a spin afterwards and it seems to be running awesome. A couple of things I've noticed in the short ride I took... 1) shifting into 2nd is waaaaay smoother (attributed to the Mobile 1 4T oil I just used), 2) seems pretty awesome throttle response, and 3) noticed a couple of pops decelerating from 2nd to 1st.
Regarding throttle response... while I will disclose the roads were slightly wet, I noticed I spun the rear wheel going from 1st to 2nd, and then again 2nd to 3rd!! Don't recall ever doing that before, so I'm going to attribute it to spark plug enhancement!!
Regarding popping... I'm going to allow the bike to idle longer today and see what the computer does to register new A/F mixtures, etc. But, after researching last night, it seems that a perfectly tuned engine should pop a bit... eliminating the popping actually de-tunes the motor. But, I'd enjoy some thoughts here! (I do have an Akropovic exhaust installed) I was going to replace the vacuum tubes in this same job, but getting to the back side tube seemed impossible and will require the removal of something... and I didn't want to spend another hour doing that. The tubes seemed fine to inspection and were replaced by dealer not too long ago. I've got the new silicone tubing and will venture into this in the months to come!
The hardest part of this project was snaking the wire under the airbox. And for a technical note... the reason I was able to get the front plug out without removing the airbox was because I used a jointed socket wrench... would not be possible without one. Other notes, just be sure to read BajaRon's instructions that come with the parts and apply the thermal paste, etc. as directed.
The day before I changed my oil, etc so I already half the panels off. Took some time to remove the remaining panels and to locate the plug locations. Ended up keeping the airbox on, just loosened it to allow for some flexibility in wiring the new wires in and around and under the airbox / engine. I'd be lying if it wasn't tedious... and it's not something I want to do a lot of, but it's done and nice to have quality items installed... and now I know my machine much more intimately!!
Took it for a spin afterwards and it seems to be running awesome. A couple of things I've noticed in the short ride I took... 1) shifting into 2nd is waaaaay smoother (attributed to the Mobile 1 4T oil I just used), 2) seems pretty awesome throttle response, and 3) noticed a couple of pops decelerating from 2nd to 1st.
Regarding throttle response... while I will disclose the roads were slightly wet, I noticed I spun the rear wheel going from 1st to 2nd, and then again 2nd to 3rd!! Don't recall ever doing that before, so I'm going to attribute it to spark plug enhancement!!
Regarding popping... I'm going to allow the bike to idle longer today and see what the computer does to register new A/F mixtures, etc. But, after researching last night, it seems that a perfectly tuned engine should pop a bit... eliminating the popping actually de-tunes the motor. But, I'd enjoy some thoughts here! (I do have an Akropovic exhaust installed) I was going to replace the vacuum tubes in this same job, but getting to the back side tube seemed impossible and will require the removal of something... and I didn't want to spend another hour doing that. The tubes seemed fine to inspection and were replaced by dealer not too long ago. I've got the new silicone tubing and will venture into this in the months to come!
The hardest part of this project was snaking the wire under the airbox. And for a technical note... the reason I was able to get the front plug out without removing the airbox was because I used a jointed socket wrench... would not be possible without one. Other notes, just be sure to read BajaRon's instructions that come with the parts and apply the thermal paste, etc. as directed.
