Triumphrat

Bbogie

I had the same problem with a Kawasaki concours. I took a deep well standard socket and put it in a lathe and turned it thinner. Quick easy job if you know someone with a lathe.

idjk

When you go to put the new plugs in ,I have found a short piece of split fuel line gives good feel to get it started straight b4 the socket goes on,also a good strong magnet is helpful if socket comes off and drops and is hard to reacquire with extension

Garyhjd

I use fuel line to get the spark plug started (learned that working on Alfa's) then tighten with the spark plug socket.

The Ace Hardware socket also fits, tried it as well, kept the craftsman less cost not made out of country.

gary

IrlMike

my 2 cents ...

bought a spark plug socket, good quality, even has +metal+ spring clips inside to hold the plug, ground it down with angle grinder to fit hole (actually did this years ago for a different brand of m'cycle, but had to get the grinder out again for the Tbird!)

this is a 1/2 drive socket, so I fit a 3/8 drive adapter & a 3/8 universal joint (no other kind- you'll get the bike wrong way up & still be laughin' )

this gives just enough height to attach a ratchet bar (3/8) & enough 'flexibility' to remove or insert any of the plugs....

polex

I bought CRAFTSMAN 50728 18mm spark plug socket.
I noticed that the rubber cams cover gasket adhere to the socket in the spark plug cavity, preventing a free socket movement.
I think that It should be very difficult to remove the socket after mounting the spark plug.
I have a new NGK spark plug but I still use the Champion spark plug because I didn't found yet the right 18mm socket.
The Champion spark plugs require a 3/4" socket for removing.
Is the external diameter of the model# 43330 smaller than model# 50728 ?

tornado TBS

I have 2 different 18mm sockets from Sears, both the laser etched, and the non, and one from Ace, and one from Auto Zone, none of which fit in my '98 TBS...eventually broke down and bought the original from BikeBandit.com that comes in the tool kit ($18.50 ish) Never thought about shaving it down though, i'll bet that would work well! Also, as far as retrieving the socket once the plug is installed, I found a pair of 90 degree needle nose pliers work great.