The saga has ended! The new battery got it most of the way there and new plugs brought it over the finish line. It once again runs like it was new, and not like the 45 accumulated miles clunker it has become. I have to say, Honda is consistent, though. I could get to the rear plug, sorta kinda, with my ham-sized hands, but the front plug was no bueno. I got the plug wire out, but could NOT get a 14mm deep socket into the hole in the valve cover, no matter how I tried. Finally dropped the airbox or whatever it is behind the seat, and removed the seat back, pried forward the rubber guard and then, using every extension I had, I got the plug unscrewed and removed it - with a magnet. And thanks for the tip, guys, re: torquing the plugs. No doubt I would have overtightened them. Had to get the plugs from Amazon. Dealer had none, parts guy was going to call me - that was two days ago. Now I just have to remember to plug this little snowflake in every time I get out of it, lest a teensy voltage drop upsets it again. If I only knew then what I know now!
At least it's over 90 out right now, ane near 100 in my toy shed, so I got a free sauna out of it! Yay, me! Thanks again, everyone. Once again, it's hondasxs.com usewrs (and not Honda) to the rescue. Much obliged!