FYI - 18mm thin-walled socket...

[StoneTriple2]

...the one we all need for spark plugs. I looked and called everywhere for a few days. After doing a search on here, I had given in to getting my regular 18mm ground down to fit. That seemed to be the only way to go. That or try to find an original tool kit for the bike.

I decided to try one more place this weekend - Pep Boys. They sell Powerbuilt brand sockets & wrenches. The Powerbuilt 18mm, 3/8-drive, deep well socket is thin-walled. It makes no mention of that on the package, but it is.

It worked perfectly. That was 6 dollars well spent.

[Roden]

I had the same problem, so I did end up grinding down a socket.

Cheers,

Roden

[screene]

I posted a load of details on here about tools I found when doing valve shims under my 'valve shim removal tool' thread, but it's disappeared.

Anyway, the point is that I found that a Teng 18mm spark plug socket also fits without modification. It works well with my Teng 3/8-in drive socket set, using the universal joint for the middle plug on the Trident. The rubber in the middle didn't grip the plug though, so I used a bit of hose for that.

I found that I had to cut down my T30 torx bit and allen key to get at the rocker cover bolt and cam shaft journal bolt at the back beneath the frame though, and use my 3/8 Teng torque wrench rather than the ratchet.

I also found that the Triumph valve shim removal tool was a complete waste of time - it's since been sold on Ebay. Removing the inlet cam was less scary than I'd expected, and big smiles all round when the bike started first time having been a pig before I'd replaced four of the inlet shims.