[hardlydangerous]

Never use a regular helicoil in a spark plug hole or any major thread repair for that matter.
Sure if you strip out a foot peg mount hole go ahead and use a helicoil, but for spark plugs, oil pans, oil lines, engine blocks, cylinder heads etc use a timesert.

Ive done it both ways, helicoils years ago when i did not know any better and timeserts the last 10 years.
with heli coils it like a 25% shot of it working and never having a problem. I've had many issues with them

Use an actual timesert or spark plug timesert.
you can't even compare the quality and reliability of a repair between a solid 1 piece insert and a piece of coiled wire.

[pntrdave]

Ok, heres where I'm at after doing some checking. Thread pitch for stock plugs is 12 x 1.25 prev. owner installed 12 x 1.75. None of the parts stores around here know anything about Timeserts or where to get them. Heicoil does make a solid insert especially for plugs. Unfortunately since the PO already threaded it for the 12 x 1.75 the new helicoil made specially for plugs will not fit. My Question.... can anyone see why I couldn't drill out the plug hole and rethread it to accept the 14 x 1.25 spark plugs????

[arsenic]

timesert, you have the internet, google is your friend. No **** parts kids don't have a clue, kids that get paid $8 bucks an hour to stand behind a register and push buttons.

[tone]

I use wurth Time-sert for spark plugs or oil pans, imo using anything else means you will be doing it again soon

http://www.wurth.co.uk/cat.php?section=04&search=time-sert

[The CyberPoet]

My preference: KeenSerts... but I won't raise that issue.

You ought to be able to tap it out to 14mm without an issue as far as I know (take the head off first), but I've never done it on a Kat so I can't promise...
Or simply score a healthy head off Arsenic or eBay, etc.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[Tmod]

My preference: KeenSerts... but I won't raise that issue.

You ought to be able to tap it out to 14mm without an issue as far as I know (take the head off first), but I've never done it on a Kat so I can't promise...
Or simply score a healthy head off Arsenic or eBay, etc.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

I have used keenserts and they are pretty darn good, They have a nice retention device in them.

Tmod

[arsenic]

I don't have ANY 1100 engine parts, ebay will help you there.