Spark plug question
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 30
Likes: 14
From: Georgia
Spark plug question
Bought the bike, replaced the plugs, ran a little over 3000 miles and reached the 15k service so I pulled them to find this. Is this normal?
Am I running rich? For sure smells like it. Where should I begin?
I replaced them today and road around for an hour. Its always ran great and never had any major problems, just basic maintenance and slow warm up time, youd expect from a 30 year old bike
But i would say it runs pretty hot, Ive been reading about switching the coil/ignition module to single fire instead of dual, would that help clean these plugs up any?
Thanks for any help
Last edited by HeritageHippie; Mar 21, 2024 at 10:30 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 1,076
From: SE SC
Plugs on newer bikes tend to run "white" on the ceramic, because they are engineered to run lean (thanks EPA)
On an older bike, I always looked for a tan color on the ceramic, and nothing looking terrible on the electrode......and no soot or oil.
Those plugs look fine
On an older bike, I always looked for a tan color on the ceramic, and nothing looking terrible on the electrode......and no soot or oil.
Those plugs look fine
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 9,913
From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
IF
( thats an important if..) you pulled them correctly, theyre definitely reflecting a somewhat rich condition.
Easiest ( read: least costly) mod to try is another set of plugs that are a bit hotter.
Whatever you do, dont make the mistake of lugging the bike around, through the neighborhood for example, then pulling the plugs to read them.
Easiest ( read: least costly) mod to try is another set of plugs that are a bit hotter.
Whatever you do, dont make the mistake of lugging the bike around, through the neighborhood for example, then pulling the plugs to read them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,468
Likes: 2,517
From: Lititz Pa
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Road Warrior
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From: SE SC
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,092
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From: Poolville
I agree with John idle looks rich on those plugs.. Everything else looks pretty good though... However I wouldn't be running champions try NGK BPR5ES... And set to .038"
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Mar 22, 2024 at 11:35 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,132
Likes: 12,693
From: South Carolina
I have never had an issue with Champion plugs since I started wrenching and riding, over 50 years now.
Actually, I have never had any issue with any OEM plugs on any machine that was properly tuned.
Those plugs look fine.
Actually, I have never had any issue with any OEM plugs on any machine that was properly tuned.
Those plugs look fine.
