I change my spark plugs every 20,000 miles. Most of the time they look fine but I do it anyway.

Last time I changed them I only had enough Anti Seize to do one plug so I did the front and went ahead and installed the back without any. I was getting ready to meet some people that morning for a ride and told myself I'd just get a lil pack of it and put in on the plug when I got back home.

Well, that didn't happen. Fast forward to last weekend. Time to change plugs and I go to pull the rear one out and it was froze up. I'm thinking OH **** OH DEAR. Below is a pic of what came out with the spark plug when I took it out this morning.

I had two choices, buy a new/used set of heads or do a thread repair. I opted to do the thread repair. I have used Heli Coils in the past but didn't feel comfortable using one for a plug hole on one of the late model heads. Did many on Shovels with good results but just didn't think it was the best route now.

I got on the phone and ordered a "Time Sert" repair kit along with a couple extra inserts and did the repair with the head on the bike this morning. It worked fine and I am very pleased with the repair. It should last the life of the bike with no problem.

So, to make a short story monotonous. Not using anti seize gave me the worry about having to possibly buy and install a new set of heads (if I have to replace one, I'm gonna replace em both) or doing the repair.

The heads would have cost me anywhere from around $125.00 on up for a used set to $900.00 for a new set from H-D. Plus the time to replace them along with the cost of gaskets etc. I paid $160.00 for the Time Sert kit which included the extra inserts and the shipping. A little more than it would have cost to buy one used set of heads I found here on the forum and a hell of a lot more than a little pack of anti seize would have cost (about two bucks).

What I'm saying here is.....ALWAYS USE ANTI SEIZE ON YOUR SPARK PLUGS!!

 

I use it on lots of stuff. I buy the "lip stick" style tubes in both silver and gold. Very easy to apply to threads.

 

Anti seize, loctite and dielectric grease, 3 things you should never be without!

 

Cheap insurance. It's why I have a couple of tubes of it in the garage.
Wouldn't even consider swapping/changing plugs without it.

 

I'm usually really **** about **** like that but for some reason just wasn't thinking straight that morning (probably due to the night before). Never used anything way back when, gotta use it now for sure.

 

Thanks for the tip.
Would you use silver or gold on the plugs?

 

I also like to use it on oil filter threads.

 

I use the gold but not sure that it really makes that much difference.

 

Gotta ask,
When I do the plugs I always use a touch of the engine oil.
YaY or Nay?
after this I'll probably pick up some antiseize, but what says you about reg oil?

 

Gotta tell ya ,,,I don't think I've seen that before .
Not saying it hasn't Because it obviously did ,,but wow