Teach me about plug wires

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BikeMaine
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Teach me about plug wires

#1

Post by BikeMaine »

Please. I have new plug boots.

What kind of wire? 7mm?

How do I trim/fit?
Kevin
1982 GL1100A
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elwood440
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#2

Post by elwood440 »

I can't speak about 1100, but the 1000 caps/boots just screw into the center of the wire. It looks like a wood screw in the end of the boot.

The stock 1000 coils have non-replaceable wires so the best you can do is trim about 1/4 - 1/2" off the end and install the new caps. Again, not sure about 1100, someone will be here soon to straighten me out I'm sure. Dyna or Accel coils (or neon or others) have standard connectors and you CAN replace the wires. Get 7mm copper core wire, not the carbon/resistor wire, and some crimp connectors.
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Steve81GL1100
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#3

Post by Steve81GL1100 »

There's a good write-up in Shop Talk, under Ignition. It's pretty straightforward. Get solid wires, not the resistor kind. If you got the NGK ends, the plug end may not want to jam into the OEM boots by the plugs. If not, trim the NGK logo off flush with the cap. Also, the coil end just unscrews off of the coils. This is an easy and effective job and everyone should do it. Mine would miss a lot in wet weather conditions (raining or just rained) with the OEM wires. No more with the new wire.
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brianinpa
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#4

Post by brianinpa »

I am going through the same thing with my '87, so here is the link that Steve mentioned...

viewtopic.php?t=20898
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1984 Standard - 18,000 miles - Naked... the way it should be
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#5

Post by chewy999 »

I bought some red spark plug cable off Flea-bay, and on my 1980 1100, each end simply screws in, one end into the coils and the other into the plug cap.
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anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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ericheath
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#6

Post by ericheath »

anim-cheers1 Fire engine red.
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77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
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chewy999
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#7

Post by chewy999 »

action1 action1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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BikeMaine
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#8

Post by BikeMaine »

Excellent, thank you all.

Question about copper center vs resistor tour wires. Will my radio get feedback or whatever you call it if I don't use the resistor toe plug wires?
Kevin
1982 GL1100A
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BikeMaine
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#9

Post by BikeMaine »

Another question, when buying new coils , let's say I went with Dynas, what size/model/etc?
Kevin
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wingrider
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#10

Post by wingrider »

I would guess you would want these ones for your bike...
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
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BikeMaine
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#11

Post by BikeMaine »

Chewy, You left your gas on.;)
Kevin
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chewy999
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#12

Post by chewy999 »

BikeMaine wrote:Chewy, You left your gas on.;)
That's well spotted! :shock:

To be honest I normally do. I know some advise to turn it off, especially if on the side stand, but I find I have no adverse effects by leaving it on.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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robin1731
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#13

Post by robin1731 »

chewy999 wrote:
BikeMaine wrote:Chewy, You left your gas on.;)
That's well spotted! :shock:

To be honest I normally do. I know some advise to turn it off, especially if on the side stand, but I find I have no adverse effects by leaving it on.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1


The with the CBX that I had to put a new rod in said the same thing. Rode home from work. Went to leave the next morning and it wouldn't start. About 2-3 seconds of turning the fuel valve off cost him over $1000.00.

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1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
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BikeMaine
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#14

Post by BikeMaine »

chewy999 wrote:
BikeMaine wrote:Chewy, You left your gas on.;)
That's well spotted! :shock:

To be honest I normally do. I know some advise to turn it off, especially if on the side stand, but I find I have no adverse effects by leaving it on.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
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Kevin
1982 GL1100A
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chewy999
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Re: Teach me about plug wires

#15

Post by chewy999 »

Funnily enough I get that a lot! :shock:

anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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