Spark Plug Question
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Dexter, MO, USA
Spark Plug Question
I just bought my first bike an 06 XL 1200 custom with 2800 miles on it. I was attempting to take it out for the first time (another problem in the other thread I posted) and it ran out of gas. I got some gas and put in it and it still wouldn't start. After running the battery down trying to start it and recharging it and trying again I decided to check the spark plugs to see if it was firing. The spark was very weak so I bought a new set of plugs and it started up almost instantly. My question is if that is normal to have to replace plugs with so few miles on them? The plugs I pulled out looked like ones I've pulled out of cars with 100,000 miles on them. Do motorcycle plugs just have a short life expectancy?? Is there anything else I should check that might cause this problem? With the new plugs the bike runs perfectly.
Plugs just get weak. Could be manufacturing or some other variable.
I suggest buying Harley plugs. The ignition system is made to work with a 20 ohm plugs. A plug with less than 20 ohms will affect the ecu's ability to sense knock or pre-ignition in the cylinder.
There are only 2 things in a Harley that are of the utmost importance to have oem and that's the spark plugs and oil filters.
I suggest buying Harley plugs. The ignition system is made to work with a 20 ohm plugs. A plug with less than 20 ohms will affect the ecu's ability to sense knock or pre-ignition in the cylinder.
There are only 2 things in a Harley that are of the utmost importance to have oem and that's the spark plugs and oil filters.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
No thats not normal at all. When I had my sporty the plugs looked new after 5k miles.
You need to give more info on the bike, as well as an introduction so we can help you better. The first thing you want to buy is a service manual.
What mods have been done to the bike? Describe what color the plugs were and what the looked like. Where they wet?
You bought a bike that has been sitting most of its life so you are going to have to address that issue. The first thing you should be doing (after buying the shop manual) is to buy new tires on it...I don't care how much tread is left. Your tires are going on 7 years old and they have been sitting on concrete.
You need to give more info on the bike, as well as an introduction so we can help you better. The first thing you want to buy is a service manual.
What mods have been done to the bike? Describe what color the plugs were and what the looked like. Where they wet?
You bought a bike that has been sitting most of its life so you are going to have to address that issue. The first thing you should be doing (after buying the shop manual) is to buy new tires on it...I don't care how much tread is left. Your tires are going on 7 years old and they have been sitting on concrete.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 52
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From: Dexter, MO, USA
No thats not normal at all. When I had my sporty the plugs looked new after 5k miles.
You need to give more info on the bike, as well as an introduction so we can help you better. The first thing you want to buy is a service manual.
What mods have been done to the bike? Describe what color the plugs were and what the looked like. Where they wet?
You bought a bike that has been sitting most of its life so you are going to have to address that issue. The first thing you should be doing (after buying the shop manual) is to buy new tires on it...I don't care how much tread is left. Your tires are going on 7 years old and they have been sitting on concrete.
You need to give more info on the bike, as well as an introduction so we can help you better. The first thing you want to buy is a service manual.
What mods have been done to the bike? Describe what color the plugs were and what the looked like. Where they wet?
You bought a bike that has been sitting most of its life so you are going to have to address that issue. The first thing you should be doing (after buying the shop manual) is to buy new tires on it...I don't care how much tread is left. Your tires are going on 7 years old and they have been sitting on concrete.
The bike is stock except for the exhaust which appears to be after market. The plugs were both completely black on the ends. They were a little damp with gas but not enough where it should have been flooded. As for the stock Harley Plugs are they an absolute necessity? The closest Harley dealership is over an hour away and because of work its nearly impossible for me to get there while they're open.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
Is there a plastic cover still around the side of the air cleaner? Are you leaving the choke on to long? You should start it with full choke, after it starts push it in half way, and push it all the way in as soon as it will run on it's own. A lot of people leave the choke on too long and it will foul out the plugs.
Harley plugs are meant for the bike but other plugs won't hurt...just order some online
Harley plugs are meant for the bike but other plugs won't hurt...just order some online
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I just bought my first bike an 06 XL 1200 custom with 2800 miles on it. I was attempting to take it out for the first time (another problem in the other thread I posted) and it ran out of gas. I got some gas and put in it and it still wouldn't start. After running the battery down trying to start it and recharging it and trying again I decided to check the spark plugs to see if it was firing. The spark was very weak so I bought a new set of plugs and it started up almost instantly. My question is if that is normal to have to replace plugs with so few miles on them? The plugs I pulled out looked like ones I've pulled out of cars with 100,000 miles on them. Do motorcycle plugs just have a short life expectancy?? Is there anything else I should check that might cause this problem? With the new plugs the bike runs perfectly.
The factory Service Manual calls for your plugs to be replaced every 10,000 miles. The Harley branded plugs are made by Champion, the xref # is RA8HC. And yes, the RA8HC meets the Harley 20 ohm spec. and they're about $1.50 ea. at most auto parts stores.
FYI - I have 84,000 miles on my bike running the RA8HC's, no problem.
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