Ok, I feel really stoopid here.

I've had this 1992 EX500 for a long time, and I had a friend of mine (or sometimes a garage) do the maintenance and tune-ups. Now I have a problem with the bike, but my friend has moved away

I can't take it to the mechanics, as it just won't start. The starter is cranking up, but it just won't start.

The bike has been hit by a car while it was parked, no damage except for a broken mirror, but there was also a big black stain on the pavement about a foot away from the bike, so I suspected the bike fell over and I had an oil leak. Even though the oil level looked ok, I added a bit of oil (it was doing some weird clanking noise when trying to start it) to be sure, but it still isn't starting.

So, I now think I have to change the sparkplugs..... But (bowing my head in shame), I have no ideas where they are (as I said, I always had someone else work on it, and I am not mechanically inclined).

Can someone give me a hint ? Are they under the lower fairing, are they under the gas tank ? What do I have to do to reach them ?

Thanks

 

they are under the gas tank. the tank will have to come off to get to them. get yourself a manuel and a cold beer and you should have no problems.

 

i'd bet it was a fuel leakage over an oil leak. that's the usual. how's the side of your tank look now that it's had fuel running down the side of it for an extended period of time?

yea... change the plugs. they are at the end of the 2 large wires that head straight down into the top of the engine. you'll most likely need to remove the tank to get at them. and maybe the hoses too (they just slide in and out of their connections. with the bike on its side oil probably seeped into the combustion chamber between the cylinders and pistons... that probably loaded up the plugs and fouled them.

so, yes, you're probably on the right track... keep an ear out for the noise.