Plug wires

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Jun 22, 2011 | 10:12 PM

oldairboater

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Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 7,476

Likes: 5

From: Republic of Texas

Plug wires

I have an 03 Heritage and a 98 Wideglide. This month I changed oils in all three holes and I also did the forks. I cleaned and re-oiled both K&N filters. Both bikes have been sounding a little flat to me when running. Engines just missed that sharp bark I usually hear. I run both bikes rich and decided that I would change spark plugs. Both set of plugs looked fairly good and the gap was still in tolerance. It has been at least 15,000 miles since I installed new plugs. I found that the front spark plug wire on my 98 had worn a groove where it layed across the back cylinder spark plug wire. I would have never found that grooved spark plug wire cleaning the bike because of the horn/ carburetor enrichener bracket hiding it. I went ahead and installed new wires on the Evo and new spark plugs in both bikes. The sharp bark is back. Seems I have to relearn sometimes what I already knew. Thought I would post a heads up. I will take the time to trace out the spark plug wires when I am cleaning the bike----till I forget about this time.

Jun 23, 2011 | 03:27 AM

kiwideuce

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 5,361

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From: auckland,new zealand

i just put some new red screaming eagle leads on mine.

Jun 23, 2011 | 06:01 AM

carlgrover

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 8,852

Likes: 2,494

From: Decatur, Alabama

Good tip. You're lucky that the plug wire didn't wear down to the copper and shorted out. I'm going to do my 35k maint. this weekend. I'll have to check my wires as well.

Jun 23, 2011 | 07:07 AM

WVHogRider

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 4,525

Likes: 8

From: Wheeling, WV

Figured it was time for another 5K maintenance job on mine and realized the plug wires have never been changed, (11 years old). Order the orange SE's yesterday. I also have the new plugs sitting on my work bench too.

Jun 23, 2011 | 10:15 AM

oldairboater

Thread Starter

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 7,476

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From: Republic of Texas

It was to the core. The bike wasn't misfiring but it just didn't have than nice HD cam bark. I actually over-maintain everything I own so this was surprising to me. I kick tires and check inflation routinely. Hell I even change fork oil twice a year just because I noticed a big difference in the handling on the front end of the Wideglide but not as much on the Heritage. Like everyone above I install the screaming eagle plug wires--there is a difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlgrover

Good tip. You're lucky that the plug wire didn't wear down to the copper and shorted out. I'm going to do my 35k maint. this weekend. I'll have to check my wires as well.

Jun 24, 2011 | 10:26 AM

CHOPPIN' CHARLIE

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 862

Likes: 3

From: East Tennessee

plug wires

REPLACED MY PLUG WIRES SOME TIME AGO AND FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT WITH FOLKS HERE HOW I LIKED THE SE ORANGE WIRES. NOT PREPARED FOR ALL THE BAD REPLIES FROM THE EINSTINES (sic) LAYING & WAITING. FROM A WASTE OF $$ TO BEING A DUMB ARS. I HAVE STOCK WIRES WITH 1,000 MILES ON 'EM HANGING ON THE WALL WHEN NEEDED.

Jun 24, 2011 | 09:35 PM

oldairboater

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Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 7,476

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From: Republic of Texas

I missed that thread. I don't as a habit throw away good parts and buy better till I need them. I aways try to buy better then original equipment wherever I find it when I can. No sense in replacing a defective part with one that will be defective in the same time frame as the one it is replacing. I like my stuff bullet proof and able to run. Usually I just ignore the stupid poser remarks posted by the pussified trolls that hang here sometimes. That is what I would have done if they were ragging me over spending my money on screaming eagle plug wires-----oh right. I do have two bikes running screaming eagle plugs wire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHOPPIN' CHARLIE