Rubber baby buggy bumpers

[smokydog]

I just adjusted my valves and found that the rubber bushings that go around the spark plugs are demolished. Not the spark plug boots but the rubber pieces that go over the spark plugs before you hook the wires on. My question is do I need them ? What is their purpose? I have the valve cover back on and am ready to put the tank on and dont want to wait to order them if they are not necessary. If anyone can help and tell me whether I am ok with out them I would sure appreciate it, Thanks, Jerry

[7981GS]

No.

Daniel

[chuck hahn]

just a seal that is supposed to shed water from getting into the wires where the wire and plug cap come together..some black RTV will do the same thing.

[Allie]

It sounds like you mean the rubber seal on the spark plug boot - yes it is recommended to use them - or the RTV I suppose. It's not especially critical though, especially if you're not riding in the rain. Lots of motors used to run without any spark plug boot at all.

The good news is you can just run it like it is and pick up some NGK caps for your bike. The stock ones just unscrew right off the wire and the new ones screw right on. Both types of cap come with an upper wire to cap rubber seal, a hard cap, and a lower cap to plug rubber seal.

here's an example of one from Z1 enterprises. http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=427

[1_v8_merc]

I just adjusted my valves and found that the rubber bushings that go around the spark plugs are demolished. Not the spark plug boots but the rubber pieces that go over the spark plugs before you hook the wires on. My question is do I need them ? What is their purpose? I have the valve cover back on and am ready to put the tank on and dont want to wait to order them if they are not necessary. If anyone can help and tell me whether I am ok with out them I would sure appreciate it, Thanks, Jerry

Did you make sure to adjust the Rock 'em Sock 'em Jetpacks as well?

[tkent02]

What does the gas tank have to do with it?

[FiremanBob]

Make sure you put anti-seize on the spark plug threads or you may have the same problem I had once shortly after buying a used bike: water had got in and corroded a spark plug solidly to the aluminum head. When I tried to remove the plug, it broke. Had to remove the engine and take the head to a machine shop to remove the plug.

A few pennies worth of anti-seize can save a couple weekend of pain and $$ down the road.

[loud et]

more mystery rubber

I was not sure what rubber bushing you were talking about, but it made me think of those little square pieces of rubber/foam that are wedged between the fins on the top of the head near the spark plug area. WHAT ARE THOSE? What are they for? anti-whistle? anti-vibration? Are they necessary, I had one here or one there, but seemed to be missing some.

[smokydog]

anti vibration

I am pretty sure they are anti vibration and youll be fine without them. I am talking about rubber donuts that go over the spark plug before you put the spark plug wire/boot on. I had one of those rubber blocks down in the spark plug well and just stuck it back in between the fins where had fallen out.

Jerry