Spark Plug changing is easy?..

[jam]

As I said in my earlier post a 16mm plug socket from Teng tools will definitely fit, as I've one here which I tried, as well as the original Kawasaki tool from the tool kit, some other plug sockets are unsuitable as the wall thickness makes the socket too wide to go all the way down. The Teng socket has a rubber grommet inside to grip the porcelain part of the plug so you don't need a magnet to retrieve the plug.
Toms questions are perfectly valid as he's doing an aircraft course rather than a bike specific course, but the plethora of opinions expressed tend to cloud the issues and give rise to further questions, when a simple concise answer is often all that is needed.
Many forums suffer exactly the same thing when someone asks a perfectly reasonable question and gets inundated by replies often contradicting ones at that.

[deej]

good technical answers as ever jam

is it a case of the socket will fit but not with the extension bar, i know that was a problem i had on one of my older bikes and ended up buying a different bar just so i could change my plugs

unfortunately for you tom we don't do a manual for your bike as that would really help you out

keep tinkering matey,its good to see someone young working on their bike and if you get the chance at your age get on a course whilst you can,us old gits are just jealous we havent got the time or money to do one

[Milky]

but the plethora of opinions expressed tend to cloud the issues and give rise to further questions, when a simple concise answer is often all that is needed.
Many forums suffer exactly the same thing when someone asks a perfectly reasonable question and gets inundated by replies often contradicting ones at that.

got it in one

[Milky]

good technical answers as ever jam

is it a case of the socket will fit but not with the extension bar, i know that was a problem i had on one of my older bikes and ended up buying a different bar just so i could change my plugs

unfortunately for you tom we don't do a manual for your bike as that would really help you out

keep tinkering matey,its good to see someone young working on their bike and if you get the chance at your age get on a course whilst you can,us old gits are just jealous we havent got the time or money to do one

haha thanks mate yeh i'll keep messin with it.. i cut and threaded some wackin great bolts for some crash bungs i bought in the workshop at college today with me tutor.. fit spot on. so i guess i already am using some of my tutors experiance on my bike and not just posting it all up on here straight away! . but yeh i'll take on board what you've all said and let ya'll know what happens thanks, Tom.

[jam]

Try using a short 3 inch or so extension but get a wobble bar extension rather than a fixed one, it will give you enough leeway to get them out.
As regards a manual, google repairmanualclub and join it, you can then download one manual per day free of charge, and they have manuals for both the ZXR400H and the ZXR400L. It is a very useful resource, if you upload a manual then your download limit is increased.
If you have any problems Tom let me know and I'll point you in the right direction. If you have access to a lathe at college then it is feasible to get any 16mm spark plug socket and turn it down in the lathe in order to get it to fit down the plug hole. I've done it myself on a couple of occassions to make sockets for removing Bandit 12/Gixxer diaphram clutches etc.
Most experienced spanner wielders have got a selection of tools that they have modified over the years to cope with certain situations, I've got many tools that I have either made from scratch or modified to do a job with, and they are invaluable. Start building up a collection of tools now whilst at college, some colleges have a scheme with Draper giving a discount of around 50% for students on certain engineering based courses. Draper expert series are a good enough quality for everyday use. Ask your tutor if your college runs the scheme and if not then why not. I used to run the scheme at one of the colleges where I taught, and it benefits students hugely as they start out on their trades.

[bikemad]

And its also worth bearing in mind not to tighten the plugs too much either. Its a LOT less than you would imagine. If you do it too tight, you end up stripping the threads, and end up in a whole load of trouble. Check the manual for the correct tourqe setting, and use a tourqe wrench.