Spark plugs??
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster PA
Spark plugs??
Any body running hot plugs? any thing other then NGK's.I wanted to run the new E3's in my electra glide but there short shafts and my plugs are long shaft.Can you run short plugs in them??Accel's,denso's any body
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 770
Likes: 4
From: Western, KY
Do some research on the E3 plugs. I believe they are made in China and I have heard they are having serious issues with quality. I have NGK Iridium plugs. Tell you the truth, I can't tell any difference from the stock plugs.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
I put in the double platinum tipped H-D plugs on my bike simply to not have to change them for many miles as the platinum should last considerably longer. Otherwise there is not a whole bunch of difference in performance from one spark plug to another as long as the heat range is the same.
A trick I was taught years ago on standard plugs was to use a side cutter and clip the ground back to uncover half the electrode. It helps uncover the spark somewhat and one thing I noticed on my car at the time was easier starting. I have seen plugs on the market similar to these.
A trick I was taught years ago on standard plugs was to use a side cutter and clip the ground back to uncover half the electrode. It helps uncover the spark somewhat and one thing I noticed on my car at the time was easier starting. I have seen plugs on the market similar to these.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
You never will feel a difference in plugs no matter what you use.I just stuck a set of E3's in one of my bikes,and will have to wait until next season to see how they last.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
For less than $5/pair, I run NGKs I get from the Autoparts store. I don't go in for these "better mousetrap" plugs.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
I played the normal-cooler-hotter plug game.
Check into the anti-knocj system and how it is dependent on stock plugs.
I was interested in it after I noticed the cooler differnce between the front plug vs the rear plug.
As in the case in all engines, the rear cylinder runs hotter than the front cylinders.
What you will often see is front plugs that are darker colored that the rear plugs. The rear plugs usally look closer to ideal in terms of fouling burn off.
So what did I do. I put hotter plugs in the front, and colder plugs in the back. Ran it for a while and the plugs look very close in color.
Problem. I found out that some bikes have pick anti-knock settings that is tied directly to the impedeance of the spark plug. Apparently in a engine knowck senerio, the spark gap resistance is lower and the engine compensates by doing someting.....not exactly sure what it does.
Anyway, I decided that the color differences between the front and the back was not worth the risk of screwing around with a key componet of the engine anti-knock system. SO the defual plugs went back in.
Check into the anti-knocj system and how it is dependent on stock plugs.
I was interested in it after I noticed the cooler differnce between the front plug vs the rear plug.
As in the case in all engines, the rear cylinder runs hotter than the front cylinders.
What you will often see is front plugs that are darker colored that the rear plugs. The rear plugs usally look closer to ideal in terms of fouling burn off.
So what did I do. I put hotter plugs in the front, and colder plugs in the back. Ran it for a while and the plugs look very close in color.
Problem. I found out that some bikes have pick anti-knock settings that is tied directly to the impedeance of the spark plug. Apparently in a engine knowck senerio, the spark gap resistance is lower and the engine compensates by doing someting.....not exactly sure what it does.
Anyway, I decided that the color differences between the front and the back was not worth the risk of screwing around with a key componet of the engine anti-knock system. SO the defual plugs went back in.
