I know it sounds simplistic.... but I just cannot find the right socket for my spark plugs on my '03 Thunderbird.

I now own 4 different sockets that fit the plugs, but none of them will fit into the head.

Where did you get your plug socket? What brand is it?

I don't mean to sound stupid, I'm just naïve. I've had the bike for a little over 3 years now, and want to start doing my own basic maintenance.

A little guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Darien.

Triumph included one in the original tool kit... it's a super thin-wall socket. You can purchase the tool kit on BikeBandit or shop around for one that will fit. I've also heard of folks grinding down the sides on a regular deep-well to get the job done. Good luck!

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-Chris

This one from Sears is reported to work:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...43330&sLevel=0

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Bob

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Originally Posted by Wombat

This one from Sears is reported to work: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...43330&sLevel=0

I can confirm that this socket is OK for the Bonneville T100. Can someone say that the recess in the head on the Bonnie is the same as the Thunderbird? If so it should be OK.

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I'd give up beer, but I'm no quitter

I use the craftsman 18mm spark plug socket on the Legend and it works fine, should work on the T-bird just as well. I have the socket with the 18mm laser etched into it versus stamped, so the newer version.

Gary

hey darien , the craftsman one seems to be the one of choice , and for future reference the hinkley classic triples forum here will have your answers concerning your t-bird .

http://www.triumphrat.net/hinckley-classic-triples/

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If you love it , let it go . If it comes back to you , you've highsided ;-)

Originally Posted by Wombat

This one from Sears is reported to work: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...43330&sLevel=0

I tried to find this socket at Sears stores in Canada but I was told the Canadian version is a model 941534 (where the "9" is a superscript with a line under it). It just says 41534 on the socket.

Anyway, it is a 3/8" drive, 18 mm, 6-point deep socket and it works. It does not have a rubber plug holder like the one referenced above - I don't know how important that is.

By the way the outside diameter is pretty much exactly 24 mm and that fits just right in the plug openings of my 02 Tbird.

Rick

I use just a plain 6pt deep well 18mm from craftsman, it fits just fine, only issue for me is that my extension is a bit old, so it falls off sometimes. As for the rubber plug holder, I use a foot section of 1/4in vacuum hose fits on the end of the plug, won't cross thread, but it will start the plug and get it finger tight. Just my trick.

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Cooler than the other side of the pillow.....

The deep-well socket that's available at Ace Hardware also fits, and it's probably a bit cheaper than the Craftsman tool. One thing I've encountered, though, is that the fit is so snug that when I torque down the spark plug, it becomes very difficult to then remove the socket. I've ground mine down a bit, and will probably grind it even more since it's a major pain to have to convince the socket to come out of the hole.

Stupid? Naive? Neither, I'd say. The design of the bike is to blame. I've never come across another machine where changing the spark plugs was such a traumatic undertaking.

Try a Honda XR400. It only has one, but it is nearly impossible to get at without the OEM Honda tool.