I pulled my plugs the other day with only 4500 miles on them The ceramics were white on each one. I know from various spark plug charts that tan is the ideal color and that white can indicate a hot running condition. They are the stock plugs for a 96 engine. I run SE255 cams and have a PCV.

What color are the ceramics on your plugs when you pull them? Should I be concerned about the white (Hot) indication of my plugs if the engine seems to run well?

"Thanks" in advance to those that take the time to reply.

 

Porcelain color doesn't matter...what's your ground strap look like...??

If bike's running fine - don't worry about the plugs so much...years ago w/carb (pre-EFI) it was a better determining factor for tuning...nowadays = not so much.

 

Common wisdom suggests light tan, as you note. However, if it runs well, no pinging, etc., and doesn't seem unusually hot, I wouldn't think there's much of an issue, if any. You might want to ask about your PCV map, just to be on the safe side. Check with FM.

 

addition of ethanol to gasoline as FUBAR'd old way of reading plugs... makes plugs look lean even when they are fine

 

Looks great to me. Run 'em. Same as mine.

 

Thanks Guys. Both the center and ground electrodes of both plugs were VERY clean. The engine does not ping nor run unusually hot. I run 93 octane fuel.

The original map from FM was NFG. After they sent me a new one it has been running well. That was two years ago. Perhaps it's still running a little lean. I know that some guys add a topside lubricant when they gas up. But I am also of the mind that "if it ain't broke don't fix it."