Hello all, I have a 2008 xl1200c sportster. currently at 8500 miles. Yes 8500 miles I don't get to ride much as I live in rochester ny, rains and snows most of the time.

Anyhoo, There is a lot of rust starting to build up on the nuts of the spark plugs. Any reason I should change them now than later? how many miles should your spark plugs be changed?

Has the technology changed in spark plugs that would benefit me to change them this season?

I only ask because my first car when I was a kid needed new spark plugs and if I remember it took me hours to get them out because of the rust, don't want to run into the same issue on my bike.

 

service interval says 20k replacement, inspect every 5k. take them out and see how they look. if not satisfied, buy some new ones

 

I would change them. Mine is easy on plugs and would go 20K easy but you do not want to let them stick. The key is the fuel injection and modern electronics. Replace them ever 10K with just the lightest film of aluminum anti seize and a dab of silicon lube in the end of the cable boot.. Use a Harley plug for the best corrosion protection. Probably $6. You do not need to take them out just to look. If it's not missing, they are truly OK as far as firing. 10K on my two examples.

 

Change them whenever you feel like it. Theres no reason not to. It's $8 max and stupid easy. I change mine pretty often... mainly out of boredom. But, it also helps you get a look at how things are gping in you cylinders.


Just don't crossthread the plugs. Be sure to torque them correctly. Don't over do it. Last thing you wanna have do is helicoil your heads.

Go to harley's main website and register your ride. You'll get acces to your bikes manual.

 

take em out, inspect , check gap. wire brush the outside, put them back in

 

When in doubt, throw them out. They're cheap and easy to change.

Plugs are available at your local auto parts store, <$2.00 ea.

NGK - DCPR7E
- or
Champion - RA8HC

gap them @ .040"
apply a thin layer of anti-seize (also from the auto parts store) to the plug threads before installing.

 

+1. Too cheap to sweat

 

no way you should go 20k miles, I replace mine every 5,000, they are cheap, (sparks plugs - $6, gallon of fuel - $4),, When I replace them they are at about 0.042" GAP Which is starting to get out of tolerance, I had to change them the other day, the bike was running like total crap, vibrating so bad that bolts were coming loose..my bike is carbed but still don't hesitate to change them, I bet if you change them after 8500 miles your bike is going to run noticeably better. atleast every 5,000 clean & re-gap them

 

extremely dumb question, but what anti-seize should you use? can you provide an example brand/model??? i don't wanna put the wrong stuff on the plugs

thanks

 

Permatex: http://www.permatex.com/products-2/p...bricant-detail