Testastretta spark plug removal?

[zarn02]

Alright, this seems like a stupid question to have to ask, but how does one get to the spark plugs on a 998 superbike?

I know where they are, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with the rubber boots. Just pull really, really hard on them?

(Also, rumor has it you remove them with some deep socket I probably don't own.)

[Düb Lüv]

Well there's sparkplug sockets that have a rubber bushing inside o the socket to keep the socket from falling.

Usually there's on 2 size for spark plug sockets 5/8 & 13/16

[Ddan]

Alright, this seems like a stupid question to have to ask, but how does one get to the spark plugs on a 998 superbike?

I know where they are, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with the rubber boots. Just pull really, really hard on them?

(Also, rumor has it you remove them with some deep socket I probably don't own.)

Pull on the boots, not the wire.  Twisting them will make it a bit easier. 
Something like this is worth getting:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&gs_upl=2679l9723l0l9904l22l19l0l0l0l0l706l5723l0.4.5.6.0.2.1l18l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1600&bih=751&q=spark+plug+wire+puller&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=15084050610437051917&sa=X&ei=f-hGTuK7MIG_gQfW_6i0Bg&ved=0CFMQ8wIwAg

[zarn02]

Pulled the boots, and got to the plugs. Discovered two things.

1) I needed a longer 3/8" extension.

And, after remedying this,

2) I need a thin-wall socket, as my tool is too girthy to get in there properly.

*cough*

Anyway, now I'm back to praying over it and hoping the spark plugs will just remove themselves.

[zarn02]

I don't have a bench grinder, or anything with which to easily grind down a socket to fit.

And I don't really want to buy an OEM kit, as that's $50 for a bunch of cheap tools that I already own better versions of, mostly.

[take risks]

My ducati 695 came with a little tool bag inder the seat. It had a sparkplug socket, with the rubber insert and all.

I would be happy to help if your in seattle. If not I am sure people that are local to you would let you borrow it.

[zarn02]

Thanks, but I'm in Kansas, so a bit far...

I think there might be a guy on here in KC, and maybe one or two in Oklahoma...

I'm just annoyed that I have a proper plug socket, it just won't fit in the space provided.

[zarn02]

Well, my Craftsman 5/8" plug socket does not fit.

[zarn02]

I suppose it's possible I'm being stupid in some way that I'm not aware of. I don't really know what sort of plugs are currently in the bike. They're whatever the previous owner had installed. The NGK plugs I bought are 5/8". Are stock plugs NGK, or Champion? And what size socket would they require?