spark plugs
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
spark plugs
my Spark plugs are fouled. I'm almost certain it is because I am Running lean. Gonna try to rejet next week. in the meantime Are spark plugs for cars and bikes the same? Can I just get a pair from autozone?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Yes you can cross reference them. 
Fouled?
Lean they would be white+ and the extreme they would be burning up.
If they are black to sooty your rich.
Here is a good plug reading chart.
Fouled?
Lean they would be white+ and the extreme they would be burning up.
If they are black to sooty your rich.
Here is a good plug reading chart.
Last edited by xFreebirdx; Aug 30, 2009 at 09:03 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 696
Likes: 1
From: NYC
Hey there Marine. I upgraded to Denso Iridium fine-wire plugs in my '09 1200 Custom. Essentially it goes back to the days when I owned an airplane. There are basically 2 types of spark plugs: massive electrodes and fine-wires. On a 6-cylinder aircraft, there are 2 plugs per cylinder for redundancy purposes. Regular massive electrode plugs run $25 each but would require more frequent maintenance (greater chance of potential damage by the wrench monkies) and would also foul fairly easily. Fine-wires, on the otherhand, were a little more costly ($100 each; 12 spark plugs = $1,200) but never fouled, put out a much cleaner spark allowing for better engine performance at all altitudes, increased fuel economy and provided a much needed peace-of-mind that the plugs will perform in flight. Too much going on in a cockpit to have to worry about your plugs.
I've since discovered the same on my Sportster. Starts right up every time under every condition (hot or cold), performance seems better from dead stops shifting through all the gears into highway speeds, gas mileage is better (gained about another 1.5-2.0+ MPG), no fouling and that famous Harley exhaust sounds "Harlier." I paid about $10 for each plug. Pretty inexpensive mod with noticeable performance improvements. Check out Denso's website:
http://www.densoiridium.com
I've since discovered the same on my Sportster. Starts right up every time under every condition (hot or cold), performance seems better from dead stops shifting through all the gears into highway speeds, gas mileage is better (gained about another 1.5-2.0+ MPG), no fouling and that famous Harley exhaust sounds "Harlier." I paid about $10 for each plug. Pretty inexpensive mod with noticeable performance improvements. Check out Denso's website:
http://www.densoiridium.com
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
Yes you can cross reference them.
Fouled?
Lean they would be white+ and the extreme they would be burning up.
If they are black to sooty your rich.
Here is a good plug reading chart.
Fouled?
Lean they would be white+ and the extreme they would be burning up.
If they are black to sooty your rich.
Here is a good plug reading chart.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
Hey there Marine. I upgraded to Denso Iridium fine-wire plugs in my '09 1200 Custom. Essentially it goes back to the days when I owned an airplane. There are basically 2 types of spark plugs: massive electrodes and fine-wires. On a 6-cylinder aircraft, there are 2 plugs per cylinder for redundancy purposes. Regular massive electrode plugs run $25 each but would require more frequent maintenance (greater chance of potential damage by the wrench monkies) and would also foul fairly easily. Fine-wires, on the otherhand, were a little more costly ($100 each; 12 spark plugs = $1,200) but never fouled, put out a much cleaner spark allowing for better engine performance at all altitudes, increased fuel economy and provided a much needed peace-of-mind that the plugs will perform in flight. Too much going on in a cockpit to have to worry about your plugs.
I've since discovered the same on my Sportster. Starts right up every time under every condition (hot or cold), performance seems better from dead stops shifting through all the gears into highway speeds, gas mileage is better (gained about another 1.5-2.0+ MPG), no fouling and that famous Harley exhaust sounds "Harlier." I paid about $10 for each plug. Pretty inexpensive mod with noticeable performance improvements. Check out Denso's website:
http://www.densoiridium.com
I've since discovered the same on my Sportster. Starts right up every time under every condition (hot or cold), performance seems better from dead stops shifting through all the gears into highway speeds, gas mileage is better (gained about another 1.5-2.0+ MPG), no fouling and that famous Harley exhaust sounds "Harlier." I paid about $10 for each plug. Pretty inexpensive mod with noticeable performance improvements. Check out Denso's website:
http://www.densoiridium.com
will definitely look into those Are they a regular brand at auto parts stores?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Champion RA8HC is the equivalent to the standard HD plug and about $2.00 at Autozone. They work just fine, and at that price, I just change them out every 10,000 miles. Expensive, high mileage plugs have a place in a car where access to the plugs these days can be difficult. That's just not the case on your HD.
Harley motors are NOT high tech and IMO, expensive plugs are a waste of money.
Harley motors are NOT high tech and IMO, expensive plugs are a waste of money.
Last edited by cHarley; Aug 30, 2009 at 09:25 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Dang that is lean and on the extreme side. Yuh she definitely needs some more juice. Your not running any type of programmable ignition are you? IF that bike is carbed you may wanna tap into the A/F screw. If your FI? was it mapped?
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
done a bunch to the bike but Im scared of messing with the carbeurator. I got the stage 1 jet kit a while ago off ebay but I Still havent tweeked it. I guess Im gonna have to tackle it now. Im consideering just getting it dynoed and have them jet it properly. Need $$$$$$$
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Here this place will help make it easy for you.
They have some good info and you'll know what your doing before you do it.
You need to richen that sucker up, soon, real soon.
They have some good info and you'll know what your doing before you do it.
You need to richen that sucker up, soon, real soon.
Last edited by xFreebirdx; Aug 30, 2009 at 09:57 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 696
Likes: 1
From: NYC
Are they a regular brand at auto parts stores?
Many auto parts stores carry Denso plugs but not the ones we need (IXU22 gapped at 0.040"). I bought mine from Dennis Kirk (had'em in a couple of days):
http://www.denniskirk.com
As for price, they're hardly what I would consider "expensive" ($10) especially when compared to aircraft fine-wires ($100 each) or when compared to all the extra chrome-crap people decorate their rides with and expect to get paid back for when they sell the bike.
Aircraft engines are not high-tech either, certainly not the standard air-cooled piston jobs commonly found in Cessnas and Pipers. In fact, isn't a Harley motorcycle engine just 2 cylinders of an aircraft engine?
Last edited by Brooklyn Devil Dog; Aug 30, 2009 at 09:51 AM.