Anyone swap coil retaining bolts for Allen heads?

[barts]

While changing plugs a week ago, I found the bolts that retain the ignition coils on top of the plugs annoying to remove with a box end wrench; there are a lot of turns, and there's no clearance above for a socket, let alone a universal or ratchet. This is particularly true on the right hand side of the bike; the frame seems a little closer there. It occurred to me after getting everything buttoned up that replacing the bolts with Allen head fasteners would allow me to use a ball end hex adapter, extension and ratchet, making this job go faster. Has anyone tried this? I don't want to take it all apart again to see; if it seems plausible I'll get some fasteners before the next plug change interval.

- Bart

 

[Don in Lodi]

No reason it won't work. The only thing I'd suggest is to go stainless steel. Limit rust issues in the tiny little water reservoirs.

 

[Juan]

Retain the hex bolts and use a ratchet box spanner.

 

[2daMax]

I use a flexible head ratchet 10mm wrench. Flexible allows an angled approach of the wrench to the bolts. 10x easier to remove n install the loctite laced bolts.

 

[jmcgilroy]

+1 on 2daMax's suggestion. I just finished replacing the plugs and even though I own just about every tool known to man it was a PITA. My ratchet end wrenches are straight and (as 2daMax pointed out) the pivot style would have done the job nicely. I think I'll go out and buy a set.

 

[EricV]

Retain the hex bolts and use a ratchet box spanner.

This would be my suggestion as well. Cheaper to buy the correct tool than to buy new bolts. BTW, go in from the front for that throttle side coil bolt, it's a lot easier. I find that once loose, I can remove them by hand, just using the wrench to break them loose and perhaps a couple of turns, then for the final tightening. YMMV