How To: Honda CRF300L/Rally Spark Plug Removal 4K

[@SlipperyJack60]

I took my CRF300L for a swim the other day and had to get the spark plug out at the side of the trail. I took the seat, side panels and fuel tank off which allowed me to get to the plug quite easily. I didn't disconnect the tank, just swivelled it 90 degrees which allowed access. If your socket doesn't extract the plug, use the HT lead to get it out. And, it takes a lot of turning to get the plug out, there's lots of threads. A note for anyone who's been doing submerged riding, take the air filter out and remove the 500ml of water, dirt and gravel out of the air box. Take a rag with you, it makes it much easier. If there's water in the cylinder, it won't turn over so don't think that the battery's flat. Get the plug out and turn the engine over and watch all of the water shooting out of the top. When no more comes out, shove the plug back in, connect the lead, and it should just start up after a few coughs. This was my first time getting the plug out, and it was pretty straightforward. It took about an hour in total from swimming to re-starting. Not too bad, and less than a breakdown recovery van. The worst part is getting the bloody seat off with my rear carrier complicating it. However, the rack allows me to carry all of the tools.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks! Sounds like it worked out. I do think it’s a little more accessible on the L with the smaller tank, but it’s still a challenge to do trailside after a swim. Good work on sorting it in an hour!

[@charliem5332]

You do us all a great service making these videos. Thanks.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I suffer so others can have a laugh at my expense 🤣, I mean so others don’t have to! Just kidding, someone asked a genuine question a few months ago and I was curious. It just took me a while to find the time to do it. You’re welcome

[@mrsilbo6499]

What a monumental pain that was! Much easier on the old air-cooled trail bikes.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Indeed. Though having done it once and knowing what moves (and what doesn’t…) I expect it’ll be quicker next time. The bodywork doesn’t help, but as it’s only needed every 16000 miles, (or when it’s been swimming) and takes 10-15 minutes to do, it is a pain, but only a small monument.

[@CeigeNUT]

I know this comment is a year late of video release but I just want to let you know that your videos are much appreciated and very professional. I can't express my appreciation more enough than a thumbs up and a subscribe to your channel. Thank you very much for the third person view of the R&R of the spark plug. Wonderful mate!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Glad I could help!

[@fabiopunk1661]

looks like a nightmare. luckily service intervals are very long. useful video as I rush now to get a thin wall 16 mm swivel socket. thanks

[@tonyrdr7207]

Very informative video showed me a different way to do it. I drowned the bike recently on the Cape Yorke old telegraph track, which is known for deep water crossings. I used a dr650 tool kit spark plug remover with a 10 mm socket welded on top and loosened the securing bolts on the gas tank. If you have another person with you it is easy enough for them to hold the gas tank for you. Unfortunately I was alone at the time so the bike was leaned over in a rock ledge and used my soft luggage to prop it up out of the way. Even with the tank out of the way it is not easy to do but you can get away with a much shorter tool and the bike being leaned over will throw out the water easier. Not a fun job at all. I will also try your method also and see which works for me better in the comfort of home when I get back. Yes it is a pain but considering how many things they got bright it is a minor problem that will get easier to do with practice. Great video thanks again

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks Tony. I’d seen one other video with some folks taking the seat and tank off an L to get to it, but they skipped the removal bit in the video. I guess you need both side panels off to get the tank off? Or can you pull the tank off the side panel velcro without removing the panels? Perhaps I’ll have a go at that when my official Honda spark plug tool shows up! Great that you managed to sort it and get home. I probably do a bit too much solo riding and sometimes wonder ‘what if?’

[@tonyrdr7207]

@@PeakMotorcycles you can cheat a bit and only take the top screws and plastic clips off like I did. No need to remove the side panels completely. I also have made the mod cutting the mounting bracket so the seat can just unclip and slide out with out tools. Your Amazon tool looks good for my purposes. Do you have a link??

[@intipunku8281]

I hope the L is slightly easier. I'll have to look at my tool kit now. Not sure I've got anything long enough. Highly informative. Thanks

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I think it will be as there's much less bodywork to remove (though I didn't include that in this video), and the tank is narrower. The engine, frame and radiator position are the same though, so I don't think those parts would differ, but it might be easier to get the socket in from the top. Good luck!

[@martincyr7259]

Thank you Andre for taking the time to make this precious and informative video. Your videos on the Honda CRF 300 Rally have been very helpful and educating to learn how to maintain and modify this bike at home. Keep on doing what you do so well. Much appreciated! Cheers from Montréal!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks, though I’d like to think others are mostly learning from my mistakes! Happy to keep making them if it helps 😁

[@steveh100]

Ooooof.... going to have to have a go at that- I can only dream of crossing rivers so big to drown the bike, thanks Andre- leading the way with the 300 maintenance videos.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I reckon it’s easier the 2nd time with the right tools! And once you’ve done it, you can take the bike swimming!

[@matthewbennett8635]

Very helpful. Thanks. It is harder than I thought and trailside, even more so. I'm going to need more tools!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

🤣 or avoid deep water. Or keep it upright in shallow water!

[@ferkuzuel]

Thanks for sharing and taking the time to share this video,I just removed and reinstalled the spark plug from my 300l and it should be very similar on the rally, it was relatively easy if you remove the four bolts that attached the gas tank then move it to the side, then remove the spark plug getting to it from the top, I didn't have any flexible extensions, but that may make things even easier Cheers

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks! I guess not having the Rally bodywork helps. You have to remove that on both sides to get to the tank and remove it, so I think tank removal is a bit of a bigger job on the Rally.

[@ferkuzuel]

@@PeakMotorcycles well you have to remove the side panels on the 300l as well to get to the tank, but there may be a little less screws

[@kiwiadventurer]

Timely advice Andre. Will be doing New Zealand's South Island river valleys. Thanks.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

That sounds like an amazing place to ride! Have a great trip, and stay as dry as you can🤣

[@wilson5377]

A really informative video you've done here, thanks for the demo.👍👌 Lesson learned: Toolkit completion is a definite priority.✌

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks. I hope you never need to do it at the side of a trail that crossed a river!

[@kenmoist]

Thanks. As usual you give us real world how to advice!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks! Hopefully we all won’t have to remove the spark plug from a flooded bike at the side of a trail very often, if at all!

[@0HARE]

Good work, Andre. I hope I never have to do this job. I have only ever ridden my Rally off road one time so far. We’re heading down to the Terlingua Chili Cook-Off in November. The back-country roads around Terlingua, and in Big Bend National Park are awesome. Hoping to find some fellow riders down there to hit the trails with. Will try to get some video with the GoPro. Happy Trails

[@PeakMotorcycles]

That is a good hope to have! I’ve driven to Big Bend but never ridden there. Have a great time!

[@silvioperugini5890]

very useful thanks Andre i am carrying a spark plug and a standard motorbike spark plug removal the one that un need a srewdriver perpendicular to turn it do you think it would work or shall i ditch it all at once? thanks

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I’d try it if you have the stuff already. Might be different on the L too? (Smaller fuel tank?) if you can reach it with the gear you have, then I’d use that.

[@pzchannel6444]

What a pain but most things are the first time. Thank you for sharing, sir.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

You’re welcome. And it was definitely worth trying the first time indoors! I’m not sure that would be much fun trailside and working out how to get to it.

[@wes2242]

What part number was the spark plug you installed and was it the same that came out? i just wanna make sure i dont need 2 spark plug sizes.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

It's a NGK Laser Iridium Spark Plug part number SIMR8A9. I think they are quite easy to find, or at least they are in the UK.

[@jimconradtee1684]

Have you changed your fuel filter?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I haven’t I’m afraid? Is that tricky to get to?

[@omadon99]

Make a video about changing the brake fluids and pads or maybe valve clearance check 😉

[@PeakMotorcycles]

🤣. I’ll put it on the list. Brakes I’m fine with, but probably won’t do it until mine need doing. Valve check is something I’d have to learn. And I’ll bet that’s a PITA to do, so at least there will be entertainment value for others.

[@peterbennett4948]

What a game I will stick with 1970's/80s Trail bikes 👍

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Yup. Life was simpler then 🤣. That said, after I’ve done it once, I reckon I could do it in 10-15 mins next time. It was not knowing how and having to film it that added some time for the first go.

[@peterbennett4948]

To take the carb off on a DRZ400 I had remove the rear sub frame. But on a BSA Victor is was 10 minutes side of the road job, using the bikes tool kit. That included freeing a sticking throttle slide and replacing the carb. I guess that's progress 😌

[@gs-nt6nf]

Does the OEM Honda spark plug tool work ok?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

It does. The problem is getting to the plug, not the tool. (Though when I did this video, I didn’t know there was an OEM tool)

[@mikecmp]

could you instead just pull the bracket / fan off the back of the Rad to do that?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I think it’s the hoses that limit the movement and though they can be removed, draining and refilling the cooling system would be more work. Next time I have to do it, I’ll see if there’s an easier way.

[@mikecmp]

@@PeakMotorcycles I’ll take a look too, I know on my Tenere 700 you could remove this plastic part above the engine and below the gas tank that cables clipped to, and that made it a remove one panel job to change the spark plugs. Maybe something similar is possible with the crf300

[@airadaimagery692]

Stay clear of deep water., gotcha!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Absolutely! But 16k miles will come round some time. 😁

[@neilcollinson6540]

Great video, just shows if you drown the bike on the trails and bike covered in crap, it's not a 5 minute job, better take a flask of tea with you, food for thought, can't beat air cooled bikes with spark plug looking at you.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I think, for a Rally, you could do get it out and back in 15 minutes with the tools to hand. Plus time to clear the engine. Not sure it’d be much quicker on an L. Slightly less bodywork to remove perhaps? If crash bars are fitted probably double that if not more to remove them to get the side panel off. And yes, air cooled bikes with a spark plug to be plucked make it a lot easier, though I did a thing in Bolivia a few years ago on a DR650 and on a metalled road, my spark plug came loose (it was the third day of being really bumpy). To get to that needed the 40l fuel tank and the seat taking off…

[@neilcollinson6540]

@@PeakMotorcycles sounds like a nightmare, anyway keep the videos coming, you're doing a great job 👌

[@1900nuno]

spark plug mix por

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Language?

[@johntaylor4517]

Sooooooo don't drown the bike? Haha what a pain in the arse! There is no way I would have had everything I needed to pull that plug in my standard tool kit.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

🤣 ‘Don’t drown the bike’ is one of my daily rules I live by! Or try to. And yes, a complete pain, especially if you have crash bars fitted. After posting this, someone mentioned that there is a special Honda tool for it. I’ve ordered one, so will see how that works. Access will still be a pain, but if I don’t have to carry a 300mm 3/8” extension I’d be delighted.

[@johntaylor4517]

@@PeakMotorcycles hmm I will have to look into that. I just bought my 300L so I am in the midst of putting together my tool roll for the bike. Might as well add that too!

[@garethowen61]

Hope I never have to do it, it used to be so straightforward!🙄

[@PeakMotorcycles]

You’ll get to 16k miles one day 😉. I wonder what a Honda dealer charges for that service? If half an hour, easier to have them do it, if more then maybe it’s worth a go? And yes, it did. The spark plugs are a lot more accessible on my GS 😁