One of the best and straight-forward videos I've ever seen. Now I can change my plugs on my 2009 V-Star 950, Second Owner with only 40,000 miles, which means it was ridden well. Air filter was almost clogged so I'm not expecting any other surprises from the Spark Plugs! Thanks again my fellow Michigander!!
Great video, thanks for the confidence boost! Picked up a 2009 950 about a year ago with only about 10K miles on it. Misses a little now and then, thinking the plugs have never been replaced! Runs great otherwise, great first cruiser for me.
I just finished a plug replacement. For the right plug loosen the 2 bolts holding the gas tank and lift the tank and push left. That will give you all the room you need including fitting a torque wrench. The left plug is easy as is. I don't know if this is relevant to you after 10 years.
Well it's 2021 now. I picked up my, new to me, 2014 VStar950 last August 2020. Thank you for the oil&filter, air filter, and spark plug procedures. Videos are perfect assistance!
You do not need to unscrew the fuel tank out of the way. You remove the plastic cover and with magnetic socket and universal joint 3/8 you remove the spark. When it is time to put it back you torque it at 115 inch lb or 13 N-m
Thanks for the video. Mine only has over 2,000 miles so I don't have to worry for a while yet. It's just hard to believe that they make everything hard to get to. A job that should only take 20 minutes now will take an hour.
Outstanding video. I just bought a 2011 V Star Tourer and love it. It has under 10,000 miles on it but I don't think the plugs have ever been changed. Many thanks for the help here!
Mach1Airspace Thanks. I kinda wish I had mine back. At least it was paid off. I traded it in at 31k miles for a '14 HD Street Glide. Also fir what's worth, if you like that bike now. Try it with a Vance and Hines slips on. It'll go in purring like and kitten and come out roaring like a lion.
Joseph Murray Cool idea. Even with stock I started it up for the GF and she said it was nice and quiet until I revved it a little. Haha. Mine was $4600 out the door and it's my first bike. Probably going to change the plugs this weekend. Thanks again.
Sure. You got a fair deal on the price. I bought mine new at $11,600 and when I traded it to HD they gave me $3200 amd a month later on their website they had it advertised at $4999.00. I feel so pimped.
Joseph Murray But they’ll settle for $4300 if it sits on their lot for a few months. Let me know what you think of your Glide. That’s a step up from the smaller V-Star.
Mach1Airspace Big step up. I love the added power of the 103" (1676cc) and love the Bluetooth infotainment system. The only thing i wish HD would have done is to soften the rear suspension. If you hut a pothole the wrong way your spine is going to feel it. I'm looking into getting new rear shocks that's supposed to dampen road shock a lot better than OEM components.
Well that was fun! You don't need to disconnect any wires but I alway disconnect positive (+) from battery to be sure. The issue I'm having if anyone can relate is the mono shock adjustment isn't moving in either direction at this point. I've seen others try and say it was difficult with the crappy wrench length we're given.
stumbled onto this video, excellent tutorial. I have to change mine this season, and its a little more involved than it was on my old vstar 650. On that bike I didnt have to lift the gas tank. thanks again
Thanks for the comment. Only thing I would have done differently is I wish I had some old fuel line laying around to help me hook onto the plug and pull it out.
You missed a couple of important steps . First make sure the plug well is free of dirt and debris before removing plug . Then , before the plug wire install , you should always use die electric grease inside the boot . Torque is usually about 5 to 10 foot pounds , which is less than you would expect . Use a torque wrench and you'll see . Also , you can buy sockets that are made to hold the spark plug , making for easier removal and installation . Just some helpful tips that I've learned over the years .
This was great! I just bought a pre-owned 2011. Nice to see you don't have to take the tank off completely. How often did you say? Seems the manual shows a lot more miles before changing. Thank you!!
Mike Mike The owners manual says every 8k miles but I find that a big waste of money especially since I use NGK's. The first time I changed them at 8k miles, there was absolutely no difference between the old plug and the new one. I now just visually check them every 10k - 12k miles. How many miles does yours have?
Thanks, No, I haven't done anything about throttle syncing or anything. This bike is fuel injection so I don't have to worry about a choke or carburetor.
8 years later and is this video is still helping others.....thank you.
Well 3 years later and you help another owner of a 950. thanks
you're welcome
One of the best and straight-forward videos I've ever seen. Now I can change my plugs on my 2009 V-Star 950, Second Owner with only 40,000 miles, which means it was ridden well. Air filter was almost clogged so I'm not expecting any other surprises from the Spark Plugs! Thanks again my fellow Michigander!!
Sucks for me, I bought a 950 yesterday and for $3,000 it didn’t even make a 50 mile trip home 😢 and supposedly only has 1,846 miles on it!
@@timvalenti2818 Tank speedometers/odometers are the easiest for crooked people to manipulate ( change out completely ) .
I use a short piece of fuel hose to get the plugs started. Easy to pull off once you get them started.
Great video, thanks for the confidence boost! Picked up a 2009 950 about a year ago with only about 10K miles on it. Misses a little now and then, thinking the plugs have never been replaced! Runs great otherwise, great first cruiser for me.
Thanks, glad it works out for ya
@@michiganborn8303 Tank odometers are the easiest for crooked people to manipulate ( change out completely ) .
I just finished a plug replacement. For the right plug loosen the 2 bolts holding the gas tank and lift the tank and push left. That will give you all the room you need including fitting a torque wrench. The left plug is easy as is. I don't know if this is relevant to you after 10 years.
Well it's 2021 now. I picked up my, new to me, 2014 VStar950 last August 2020. Thank you for the oil&filter, air filter, and spark plug procedures. Videos are perfect assistance!
You do not need to unscrew the fuel tank out of the way. You remove the plastic cover and with magnetic socket and universal joint 3/8 you remove the spark. When it is time to put it back you torque it at 115 inch lb or 13 N-m
Thanks for the video. Mine only has over 2,000 miles so I don't have to worry for a while yet. It's just hard to believe that they make everything hard to get to. A job that should only take 20 minutes now will take an hour.
Outstanding video. I just bought a 2011 V Star Tourer and love it. It has under 10,000 miles on it but I don't think the plugs have ever been changed. Many thanks for the help here!
Mach1Airspace Thanks.
I kinda wish I had mine back. At least it was paid off. I traded it in at 31k miles for a '14 HD Street Glide.
Also fir what's worth, if you like that bike now. Try it with a Vance and Hines slips on. It'll go in purring like and kitten and come out roaring like a lion.
Joseph Murray Cool idea. Even with stock I started it up for the GF and she said it was nice and quiet until I revved it a little. Haha. Mine was $4600 out the door and it's my first bike. Probably going to change the plugs this weekend. Thanks again.
Sure. You got a fair deal on the price. I bought mine new at $11,600 and when I traded it to HD they gave me $3200 amd a month later on their website they had it advertised at $4999.00.
I feel so pimped.
Joseph Murray But they’ll settle for $4300 if it sits on their lot for a few months. Let me know what you think of your Glide. That’s a step up from the smaller V-Star.
Mach1Airspace Big step up. I love the added power of the 103" (1676cc) and love the Bluetooth infotainment system.
The only thing i wish HD would have done is to soften the rear suspension.
If you hut a pothole the wrong way your spine is going to feel it.
I'm looking into getting new rear shocks that's supposed to dampen road shock a lot better than OEM components.
My name is Roberto! Thanks you helped me a lot!! I've looked at all your videos!!
Cool, thanks.
Well that was fun! You don't need to disconnect any wires but I alway disconnect positive (+) from battery to be sure. The issue I'm having if anyone can relate is the mono shock adjustment isn't moving in either direction at this point. I've seen others try and say it was difficult with the crappy wrench length we're given.
Excellent tutorial. I bought the big manual and didn't use it for this task since you did so well in teaching us how to do this. Thank you!
You're welcome.
stumbled onto this video, excellent tutorial. I have to change mine this season, and its a little more involved than it was on my old vstar 650. On that bike I didnt have to lift the gas tank. thanks again
Thanks for the comment.
Only thing I would have done differently is I wish I had some old fuel line laying around to help me hook onto the plug and pull it out.
thanks a mill for this tutorial. I have a kawasaki Vulcan 800 2001 & been trying to figure out how to remove the spark plugs
Very usefull video, you should make one on how to remove gas tank
Glad it was useful to ya, thanks for the comment.
You don't have to move the tank to change the plugs.
thanks for posting this. It is exactly the reference I was looking for before I do this myself.
Thanks for uploading
@Bendc1970A1 Your welcome. Hope it mskes it a little easier.
Excellent video. Thank you.
You missed a couple of important steps . First make sure the plug well is free of dirt and debris before removing plug . Then , before the plug wire install , you should always use die electric grease inside the boot . Torque is usually about 5 to 10 foot pounds , which is less than you would expect . Use a torque wrench and you'll see . Also , you can buy sockets that are made to hold the spark plug , making for easier removal and installation . Just some helpful tips that I've learned over the years .
Nice job Michigan!
Mark Hicks
Wells Vehicle Electronics
This was great! I just bought a pre-owned 2011. Nice to see you don't have to take the tank off completely. How often did you say? Seems the manual shows a lot more miles before changing. Thank you!!
Mike Mike The owners manual says every 8k miles but I find that a big waste of money especially since I use NGK's.
The first time I changed them at 8k miles, there was absolutely no difference between the old plug and the new one.
I now just visually check them every 10k - 12k miles.
How many miles does yours have?
Amazingly only 6,000 miles so I guess I have quite a while! Super video by the way. Any others you have that show 2011 950 tips? Thanks again.
Muy buenos tus videos, gracias desde España
Thanks for posting. I'm coming up on 8k miles on my Bolt. Mine will be similar? I'll find out in about two months.
Really clear and useful! thanks a lot
You do not need to remove fuel tank .
good job very helpful!
@markjhicks Thanks Mark.
Good video! Thanks! I wonder if you have done a carb (or Throttle injection ?) synch on your V-Star?
Thanks, No, I haven't done anything about throttle syncing or anything. This bike is fuel injection so I don't have to worry about a choke or carburetor.