More shit to contend with.

Was talking to the NGK rep today and it seems the company is ceasing production of all plug caps.

No idea why and the only explanation was that economies of scale made it no longer viable. I asked whether this was just an Australian importer thing and was told no, it was a global company thing. I dunno what we can use in their place.

Pete I’ve had a quick look up of cap no. NGK SB05E or F . Any preference which E or F . I’m going to buy a few to keep aside.

The difference between the E and F suffix relates to the type of top electrode the plug they are going on has. Either the threaded top or the *Waisted* top. From memory E is threaded, F is waisted but don't quote me on that.

Following on from this, assuming normal plugs from the factory, which of the “E” or “F” designation is the correct fitment?

E

thanks for that, got a few on order, I'm still running the stock ones so will give peace of mind to have some spares...

Ok, I’ll ask the dumb question of today. Searching the internet for these, and the images show either a ‘straight’ resistor cap, or one at a 90 degrees. Which one is required? Before I order several useless caps of the incorrect orientation, is there any such thing as two versions of the one SB05E model?

No. The SB05E is straight.

Thanks Beetle.

Largely irrelevant now, as there doesn’t seem to be any left in Aus anyway.

I bought the last ones in Oz that I know of.

While I'd happily sell them to you at retail I'd say that as long as you remove your caps by the *Correct* method of levering them up from the bottom you'll probably never need them and therefore I'd prefer to keep them for a bike that has been butchered.

Caps rarely screw up unless there is something else wrong in the ignition system. Look after the ones you have and they'll probably outlive you.

When I pass on info like this it isn't to engender panic, just to make the knowledge (As I've been told!) available.

Fair enough Pete. My bike is seldom used, and the existing caps should outlast me if treated correctly. That said, if one happened to be busted, I’d hate the GRiSO to be sidelined for want of a $10 part. I have no genuine need for these now, so will just keep my eyes open for any that come up.

Alternatives will be found. The NGK rep suggested Hitachi as a possible alternative. A quick fleabay search brings up lots of shit that *Might* work. It'll just be a matter of finding something *Reputable' to do the job.

NGK SB05E or F are still available here in the US apparently.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I don't doubt it. Whether this is NOS though is a different matter.

I may be wrong but the message I got from the NGK rep was that production of caps was ceasing or had ceased world wide.

Just a heads up. I'll be happy to be wrong.

Might be worth stocking up then if that’s the case. ngk.com is a vendor not affiliated with NGK the company, they claim that they have 155 SB05E and 661 SB05F in stock. Could be NOS but who cares...

Just reviving this thread for a moment, I came across some NGK SB05E caps and ordered some. These ones are red in colour, as opposed to black, but that should make no difference given they’re hidden anyway. So, I get them, and written on the box is SB05EC. What is the “C” designation? Will these still fit?

My guess would be it denotes the colour?

I hope so Pete, as they came from the UK which is something I didn’t immediately notice when I ordered them. The smaller details sometimes get missed when online shopping after several glasses of Shiraz……

AFAIK the only important differences are denoted by the E or F suffix which indicates the type of top on the centre electrode on the plug. It's easier to find different plugs than different caps!

I had the same trouble for the inner plug caps on my Sport (VD05EMH) - no longer available. Found 2 in Shitney and purchased same - just in case from BikeBiz - believe I got the last 2 in Oz, as they came from a distribution warehouse. These are 120 degrees. I found out through trial and error, the outer plugs caps will also fit but it is tighter than a fishes arse. Can be made to work in a pinch.

However I got onto GreenSpark in the UK and they were on backorder till July this year. These have come too - the way GreenSpark were talking about them, these were fresh stock. Widen your search, you never know...

Using the NGK CR3 for a few years. No issues. Red cap with cable.

A bit of thread mining here, but I was viewing Mr Roper’s valve adjustment tutorial topic, and the plug caps had what looked like a 90 degree angle to them in the pics. I recently bought some NGK replacement caps as spares due to the fact that they were being discontinued, and these are straight. SB05E designation. Um, is there an issue here?

Nope. You have to fold the HT lead under the lead cover, (The thing with the little badge on it.) ugly, but it works.

Ah, ok. Thanks for the quick reply.