Spark plug torque
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 525
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Spark plug torque
So I was checking my plugs today since it was too windy to ride. Went to remove the rear plug and it took hardly any pressure to break it free so I checked the torque on the front one. 6ft/lbs. Hmmmmmm. I'm wondering how that effects how the bike runs. They both looked ok. Maybe just a little on the lean side. I did retorque both of them to 16ft/lbs. as per the service manual.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 127
About ten years ago I had a spark plug almost back out all the way on a Harley. It was so far out that it had to be firing up in the hole, not anywhere down near the combustion chamber. I found it when I was washing the bike as I was blowing water out of the fins with an air hose. I had just came back from a day long ride on the interstate and it ran like a scalded dog the whole trip, even with the backed out plug. So I doubt if it had any ill effects on performance. Now if it came all the way out of the threads to the point where the compression washer was not holding, that would be another story.
Decided to resurrect this old thread rather than start a new one. I'm new to Harley owning and learned a lesson about spark plugs. I replaced the OEM plugs with NGK at 40k and tightened them per the instructions from NGK (1/4 turn). A week later I re-checked the plugs and they were just finger tight so they got torqued to Harley specs. I had noticed my bike seemed noisy but after torquing the plugs the bike got a whole lot quieter. Sure got my attention.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
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From: Mountain Top, Alabama
One hand snug with a short ratchet works for me.
All my plugs get the feel, never had one loose or fallout.
All my plugs get the feel, never had one loose or fallout.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: new caney, tx
Same here
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 601
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From: Pinellas County, Florida
Here is what I copied and tacked on my garage wall
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/hdtorquevalues.htm
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/hdtorquevalues.htm
