Other Devices: Need plug wear identification help.

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Oct 8, 2017 | 04:47 PM

Owner

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Tourer

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 265

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From: The S.E. Valley. AZ

Need plug wear identification help.

Hi I’m looking for help with identifying my plug wear. I have a 12 XL1200c with a Perf. Machine a/c, Freedom Perf- Independence Exhaust and a Cobra Fi2000 O2 tuner. I put new plugs in today (Champion RA8HC) and ran the bike for 50 miles with the following pot settings; 3, 4, 4. Cobra lists a stock setting of 3, 2, 2, so following the recommendations in the directions, I left the green pot at 3,and only bumped up the yellow and red pots by 2 settings. I’m guesstimating that this would be equivalent to needle and main jet adjusting in a carb.
With the stock setup (a/c and slip on mufflers) my plugs were browning gray which traditionally were the characteristics of a normal running engine. I know the Sportster runs on the lean side, out of the box, but the plugs showed a pretty much normal wear.
Now after my run today, I pulled the new plugs and they look a little on the lighter side. I have diabetic eye issues and my memory fades a bit, but I’m almost in the mindset that the color of my plugs points to a lean burn. If anyone with experience in identifying a normal/rich/lean burn pattern on plugs would chime in, with an assessment of what condition I have, I’d be very appreciative.
I have done an online comparison using websites with photos of plug conditions, but my eyes just can’t make the match...

Recap: bike runs great, had one or two “pops” through exhaust @about 40-45 mph but I think it may have been due to bumps in the road and the super sensitive throttle.? And these plugs have only 50-55 miles on them.

Last edited by Owner; Oct 8, 2017 at 05:00 PM.

Oct 9, 2017 | 08:18 AM

Souzafone

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Joined: Nov 2014

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From: Freetown, MA.

No more tan / brown on plugs for FI engines, they should be almost white. What you don't want to see is a build up of any kind, or scorch marks. Your plugs look perfect, I'd use less anti seize myself.

Oct 9, 2017 | 11:06 AM

Owner

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From: The S.E. Valley. AZ

Thank you Souzafone, it hadn’t dawned on me to look for “FI” plug burn patterns on the Internet. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Oct 9, 2017 | 01:47 PM

bustert

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with just 50 miles and unleaded fuel, not much run time. fuel injected or not, plugs still offer insight to the chamber. you can get coloring from fuel additives and oil deposites, not to mention heat range of the plug. as was brought out, you do not want to see blistering not specks forming.
remember to that electronics fail so look at it as a backup plan.

Oct 9, 2017 | 05:54 PM

Owner

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Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 265

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From: The S.E. Valley. AZ

I realize I haven’t put a lot of run time on the bike, since installing the Cobra tuner. Time and mileage will definitely need investing. Being in AZ, I think I’m a little “paranoid” of causing damage to my engine with the combination of high ambient temps and running the bike too lean.
Thankfully the temps are dropping this time of year so I’ll be putting in some longer rides.
My biggest concern was whether or not I was starting out “way off base” with my settings of the Cobra. I’ll check again after I put some mileage on.. I appreciate all the input you guys are offering. Thanks.