Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Spark plugs look alright?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 2, 2016 | 06:04 PM
  #1  
jeff6898's Avatar
jeff6898
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Valdosta, GA
Default Spark plugs look alright?

Can anyone look at these plugs and give your opinion on them as far as to lean, rich ect? I am guessing they need to be changed.





 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2016 | 06:13 PM
  #2  
Tampa Fatboy's Avatar
Tampa Fatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Default

The one plug/pic I'd be concerned with, maybe just the camera and lighting. I change mine every 5K regardless.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2016 | 07:21 AM
  #3  
nhrider1's Avatar
nhrider1
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 55
From: Londonderry, NH
Default

Originally Posted by jeff6898
Can anyone look at these plugs and give your opinion on them as far as to lean, rich ect? I am guessing they need to be changed.





Looks pretty rich to me.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2016 | 08:09 AM
  #4  
racerkvn's Avatar
racerkvn
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 316
Likes: 54
From: North Alabama
Default

Jeff, they look absolutely normal to me for a stock Harley. More than likely it was the back cylinder that had the "whiter" strap, wasn't it? I'd slap you a new set in it and keep on riding.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2016 | 09:42 PM
  #5  
langwilliams's Avatar
langwilliams
Elite HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 302
From: Lorain Ohio
Default

I was thinking a little rich. Mine are a little worse than those. I may try to see if I can drop the needle in the carb a little to clean mine up a little.
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2016 | 12:00 AM
  #6  
OldEnuf2NoBtr's Avatar
OldEnuf2NoBtr
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,165
Likes: 1,910
From: Doghouse... mostly
Default

You want your plugs to be kinda/sorta more on the brownish side.
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2016 | 12:21 AM
  #7  
JesseDyna's Avatar
JesseDyna
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 317
From: CA
Default

Wire brush, gap and reinstall.
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2016 | 06:54 AM
  #8  
Hey Man's Avatar
Hey Man
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,287
Likes: 7,773
From: West Central FL
Default

They look a bit too fluffy-black. Probably should look a little closer to these.

 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 4, 2016 | 07:20 AM
  #9  
Tampa Fatboy's Avatar
Tampa Fatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Default

Originally Posted by Hey Man
They look a bit too fluffy-black. Probably should look a little closer to these.

+1...perfect example. Seldom see that though, you've got your scoot dialed in.
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2016 | 08:54 AM
  #10  
bad tappets's Avatar
bad tappets
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
Default

No, your plugs don't look right; too much carbon build up. You don't say whether your bike is carb' or EFI. Excessive carbon build up can be caused by a motor running too rich, low rpm operation, and not enough wot operation. Also, the white ground makes me think you need a hotter heat range plug. Check the heat range of the current plugs against the factory spec, and replace with correct heat range or go hotter if the current plugs are stock match. Check for rich AFR, make sure air filter is clean, and run that thing at higher rpm. Never hurts to open it up full throttle and take it close to redline at least once a ride, keeps carbon build up down.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:01 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE