Tool for checking sparks....

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Rockburner
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Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Rockburner »

Ok, bear with me on this, or call me crazy, i don't care.

Has anyone ever seen/heard of a tool/device for the following situation.

You own a classic bike,
You would like to check the sparks are working.
You remove the plug from the head, reattach the HT lead, then attempt to hold the threaded portion of the plug against the head, while at the same time trying to kick the bike over hard enough to get the magneto spinning fast enough.

Wouldn't it be far easier to have some sort of metal "double-ended-crocodile-clamp" that would hold the plug, and clamp to a fin so that the plug was held firmly off to one side, easily visible, well-distanced from the plug hole (thus reducing the chances of accidentally igniting any fuel/air mix), and with a guaranteed earth connection?

Does this exist?
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ChrisW
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by ChrisW »

Would an in-line spark checker not work for you, or do you actually want to see the spark from the end of the plug?
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Big Red »

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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

Anything which can clamp, can clamp the plug in place? The only requirement is that it doesn't damage something and can fit around things?

Big bulldog clip? Jump lead clamp (don't hold the other end ;) )?

Random thought - can you do it with a cunningly twisted bit of 230V solid core wire stripped and wrapped around the plug?
Last edited by Mr. Dazzle on Tue May 07, 2024 7:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Rockburner »

ChrisW wrote: Tue May 07, 2024 7:13 pm Would an in-line spark checker not work for you, or do you actually want to see the spark from the end of the plug?
I want to see the spark on the plug.
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Rockburner »

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Tue May 07, 2024 7:45 pm Anything which can clamp, can clamp the plug in place? The only requirement is that it doesn't damage something and can fit around things?

Big bulldog clip? Jump lead clamp (don't hold the other end ;) )?
Well, yes, but that doesn't bring the plug away from the head to be easier to see.
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Rockburner »

That's nearly what I was looking for! Thanks!

Looks like that replaces the plug, but ideally I'm looking for something that holds the plug you've got.
Last edited by Rockburner on Tue May 07, 2024 7:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Big Red »

Rockburner wrote: Tue May 07, 2024 7:49 pm
That's pretty much what I was looking for! Thanks!
:D
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by iansoady »

I have made something that soundes exactly what you're looking for and it's very handy. And didn't cost me a tenner.

Image
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

Carpeted garage is nice, not sure I'd have gone floral myself though.
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Horse »

Is the HT lead long enough to reach the petrol cap? You'd get both audible and visual indication if it sparked ;)
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Rockburner »

iansoady wrote: Wed May 08, 2024 9:55 am I have made something that soundes exactly what you're looking for and it's very handy. And didn't cost me a tenner.

Image

That is exactly what I had in mind. Got any more? :D
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MrLongbeard
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by MrLongbeard »

Not got an unloved set of old jump leads you can cut the clamps off?
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Gregor »

Can you use a car jumplead to acheive the same as iansoady pic ?
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Sadlonelygit »

Couldn't find anything about the old R&R spark plug caps, but the internet provided me with........
https://speed-line.com/spark-plug-caps/ ... light-blue

I know it's not what you want, but I can't believe they still make this shit!
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Rockburner »

MrLongbeard wrote: Wed May 08, 2024 11:21 am Not got an unloved set of old jump leads you can cut the clamps off?
no - but just found the bits I need so will be making myself one of these when they turn up. :)
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

Sadlonelygit wrote: Wed May 08, 2024 11:51 am I know it's not what you want, but I can't believe they still make this shit!
They still make color* tunes!

https://www.gunson.co.uk/products/Colortune

*that's right, no 'u'
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by iansoady »

Rockburner wrote: Wed May 08, 2024 10:50 am
That is exactly what I had in mind. Got any more? :D
I just made it out of a couple of crocodile clips I had in my extensive scrap bin(s)....

As for carpet, it was there when we bought the house. The previous owner kept a couple of old Austin 7s in there. I ditched it when I realised that, kind to my knees as it was, it was impossible to find dropped screws etc....
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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by kendo57 »

I have one i used to use on small plant , i think it was made by Briggs Stratton .
You can adjust the spark gap to test the strength of ignition.

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Re: Tool for checking sparks....

Post by maccecht »

Twist a bit of wire round the plug body make a hook on the end stick the HT lead on, hook it onto a convenient point