Spark plug change 2006 Honda Shadow 750cc Aero

Decided to save myself a little bit of money and change the spark plugs myself on my 2006 Honda Shadow 750cc Aero.  

As usual when changing spark plugs I got out my sockets, however, I discovered that there wasn't enough clearance to get them in there.  Thinking that perhaps it was because the plugs were metric, I spent $50 on a new metric socket set only to discover that those didn't fit either.  So I called up Honda and they said that I needed to buy their spark plug wrench, which I did and it worked.  So first thing to do is pick up one of those from your local Honda dealership if you haven't already.  I believe that it was called a 16.5 Spark Plug Wrench that apparently is supposed to come with the bike when you buy it new from the dealership (I bought mine used).

Here are the tools that you will need:

1. 16.5 Honda spark plug wrench
2. 17mm wrench
3. Gapper
4. 4 new spark plugs NKG DPR7EA-9

Next is to take off the spark plug caps.  There are four of them, two of them are easy to take off, the other two are more difficult, but I was able to get all four of them off with a little finangling and without having to take the gas tank off.  

Now take the spark plug wrench, put it down the cavity, and fit it onto the spark plug.  

Now take your 17mm and loosen the spark plug.  I'd suggest to use the box-end of the wrench as shown here.  The spark plug wrench from Honda is not made out of a solid metal so it's easy to bend with an adjustable wrench which is what I did at first.

Take out the old spark plug.

Next take your new spark plugs and make sure that they are gapped properly.  The owner's manual says to gap the plugs at 0.03-0.04 inches (or 0.8 - 0.9 mm).  

Now put in the new plugs.  The spark plug wrench has a rubber grip inside it so it hold the plug while you are trying to get it out and when you are putting a new one in.

When tightening the plugs, according to the manual you are supposed to turn the plug a 3/4 turn after it seats, loosen it again, and then tighten a 1/8 turn after it seats.  I did this and it seems to be working fine.  I believe this is to avoid the plugs loosening later.

Also, there are a few other options for spark plugs than the one that I used.  See here the other options recommended in the manual.