When do I change spark plugs
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 97
Likes: 7
From: Netherlands
They are cheap and easy to replace.
I generally change mine every 6 months - regardless of how much distance I have on them. At the end of spring, and then the end of fall. I ride pretty much all year though.
But if yours look a little off, change them. Also, if they are black in color, it can mean you're bike is running too lean.
Best of luck!
I generally change mine every 6 months - regardless of how much distance I have on them. At the end of spring, and then the end of fall. I ride pretty much all year though.
But if yours look a little off, change them. Also, if they are black in color, it can mean you're bike is running too lean.
Best of luck!
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Yep, black typically indicates rich, though it may also be oil fouled or flooded if it's wet and black.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
spark plugs are the most over changed part of engines.
Why ?
1. because they are cheap
2.most anyone can do it
3.anytime there is a real or perceived problem = change the plugs.
actually new plugs can mask another problem.
wrong mixture, new will run for a little while. the problem is still there.
oil foul, wrong heat range, bad wires.etc ..are more examples
there are a lot of stripped plug holes due to wrong torque. wrenching etc.
spark plug companies make millions off do it your selfers.
not to mention machine shops and helicoil companies.
In reality they last a very long time , My wifes buick calls for plugs at 100,000K
My 91 sporty has had one change in 23 years, due to a broken insulator.
(yes that solid mount does vibrate)
back in the points/coil/battery days new plugs were required because of weak fire, etc . once a plug got a little dirty miss. bang, cough.
in todays world the modern electronic ignitions are much much superior.
But old habits , old mechanics are hard to convince.
and don't forget "they are cheap"
Why ?
1. because they are cheap
2.most anyone can do it
3.anytime there is a real or perceived problem = change the plugs.
actually new plugs can mask another problem.
wrong mixture, new will run for a little while. the problem is still there.
oil foul, wrong heat range, bad wires.etc ..are more examples
there are a lot of stripped plug holes due to wrong torque. wrenching etc.
spark plug companies make millions off do it your selfers.
not to mention machine shops and helicoil companies.
In reality they last a very long time , My wifes buick calls for plugs at 100,000K
My 91 sporty has had one change in 23 years, due to a broken insulator.
(yes that solid mount does vibrate)
back in the points/coil/battery days new plugs were required because of weak fire, etc . once a plug got a little dirty miss. bang, cough.
in todays world the modern electronic ignitions are much much superior.
But old habits , old mechanics are hard to convince.
and don't forget "they are cheap"
spark plugs are the most over changed part of engines.
Why ?
1. because they are cheap
2.most anyone can do it
3.anytime there is a real or perceived problem = change the plugs.
actually new plugs can mask another problem.
wrong mixture, new will run for a little while. the problem is still there.
oil foul, wrong heat range, bad wires.etc ..are more examples
there are a lot of stripped plug holes due to wrong torque. wrenching etc.
spark plug companies make millions off do it your selfers.
not to mention machine shops and helicoil companies.
In reality they last a very long time , My wifes buick calls for plugs at 100,000K
My 91 sporty has had one change in 23 years, due to a broken insulator.
(yes that solid mount does vibrate)
back in the points/coil/battery days new plugs were required because of weak fire, etc . once a plug got a little dirty miss. bang, cough.
in todays world the modern electronic ignitions are much much superior.
But old habits , old mechanics are hard to convince.
and don't forget "they are cheap"
Why ?
1. because they are cheap
2.most anyone can do it
3.anytime there is a real or perceived problem = change the plugs.
actually new plugs can mask another problem.
wrong mixture, new will run for a little while. the problem is still there.
oil foul, wrong heat range, bad wires.etc ..are more examples
there are a lot of stripped plug holes due to wrong torque. wrenching etc.
spark plug companies make millions off do it your selfers.
not to mention machine shops and helicoil companies.
In reality they last a very long time , My wifes buick calls for plugs at 100,000K
My 91 sporty has had one change in 23 years, due to a broken insulator.
(yes that solid mount does vibrate)
back in the points/coil/battery days new plugs were required because of weak fire, etc . once a plug got a little dirty miss. bang, cough.
in todays world the modern electronic ignitions are much much superior.
But old habits , old mechanics are hard to convince.
and don't forget "they are cheap"
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
spark plugs are the most over changed part of engines.
Why ?
1. because they are cheap
2.most anyone can do it
3.anytime there is a real or perceived problem = change the plugs.
actually new plugs can mask another problem.
wrong mixture, new will run for a little while. the problem is still there.
oil foul, wrong heat range, bad wires.etc ..are more examples
there are a lot of stripped plug holes due to wrong torque. wrenching etc.
spark plug companies make millions off do it your selfers.
not to mention machine shops and helicoil companies.
In reality they last a very long time , My wifes buick calls for plugs at 100,000K
My 91 sporty has had one change in 23 years, due to a broken insulator.
(yes that solid mount does vibrate)
back in the points/coil/battery days new plugs were required because of weak fire, etc . once a plug got a little dirty miss. bang, cough.
in todays world the modern electronic ignitions are much much superior.
But old habits , old mechanics are hard to convince.
and don't forget "they are cheap"
Why ?
1. because they are cheap
2.most anyone can do it
3.anytime there is a real or perceived problem = change the plugs.
actually new plugs can mask another problem.
wrong mixture, new will run for a little while. the problem is still there.
oil foul, wrong heat range, bad wires.etc ..are more examples
there are a lot of stripped plug holes due to wrong torque. wrenching etc.
spark plug companies make millions off do it your selfers.
not to mention machine shops and helicoil companies.
In reality they last a very long time , My wifes buick calls for plugs at 100,000K
My 91 sporty has had one change in 23 years, due to a broken insulator.
(yes that solid mount does vibrate)
back in the points/coil/battery days new plugs were required because of weak fire, etc . once a plug got a little dirty miss. bang, cough.
in todays world the modern electronic ignitions are much much superior.
But old habits , old mechanics are hard to convince.
and don't forget "they are cheap"
He states: 2008 xl1200c sportster. currently at 8500 miles.
There is a lot of rust starting to build up on the nuts of the spark plugs.
Why someone would try to "clean-up" a $4.00 set of 6 year old rusty plugs defies logic and basic mechanical common sense.
It's certainly time for him to remove the RUSTY plugs to check their condition. Reinstalling used plugs with a rusty steel base into an aluminum head where threads can easily be damaged would be foolish IMO.
All newer vehicles, like your wife's Buick, which are designed for 100,000 miles plug changes, are running much more durable and expensive iridium plugs. The whole reason for this is that spark plugs in many newer vehicles today are almost impossible to get to to replace. Some vehicles actually require the motor to be dropped to change them.
Just my 2˘
Doesn't really matter. But id buy a tube to have on hand. Not the little packet thay are usually sitting by the register. Grab some latex or rubber gloves too. Never hurts
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
You make some valid points, but this thread was about the OP's "new to him" used bike.
He states: 2008 xl1200c sportster. currently at 8500 miles.
There is a lot of rust starting to build up on the nuts of the spark plugs.
Why someone would try to "clean-up" a $4.00 set of 6 year old rusty plugs defies logic and basic mechanical common sense.
It's certainly time for him to remove the RUSTY plugs to check their condition. Reinstalling used plugs with a rusty steel base into an aluminum head where threads can easily be damaged would be foolish IMO.
All newer vehicles, like your wife's Buick, which are designed for 100,000 miles plug changes, are running much more durable and expensive iridium plugs. The whole reason for this is that spark plugs in many newer vehicles today are almost impossible to get to to replace. Some vehicles actually require the motor to be dropped to change them.
Just my 2˘
He states: 2008 xl1200c sportster. currently at 8500 miles.
There is a lot of rust starting to build up on the nuts of the spark plugs.
Why someone would try to "clean-up" a $4.00 set of 6 year old rusty plugs defies logic and basic mechanical common sense.
It's certainly time for him to remove the RUSTY plugs to check their condition. Reinstalling used plugs with a rusty steel base into an aluminum head where threads can easily be damaged would be foolish IMO.
All newer vehicles, like your wife's Buick, which are designed for 100,000 miles plug changes, are running much more durable and expensive iridium plugs. The whole reason for this is that spark plugs in many newer vehicles today are almost impossible to get to to replace. Some vehicles actually require the motor to be dropped to change them.
Just my 2˘
my point was to the general/routine changing of plugs.
(btw to change plugs in wife's buick , it requires removing of top motor mounts,
rotating engine , then contribute a pound of flesh for each of the six plugs...lol)
ride safe , ride often
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
