Forum

[Howzie]

Hello all,


Thinking about fitting a new Iridium plug to my 1959 250cc Clipper, bike runs well but just the odd time it takes some kicking over.


Just wondering if all you good people out there can tell me are they worth the effort, anybody had problems etc.


Also which would be the best BR6HIX, BR7HIX !


Best regards.


Howzie. 

[MadMike]

IMHO Iridium plugs are a con. They do no more than provide a spark when told to. their is no benefit to be gained from their use. Of course some may disagree but my experience of them suggests that any improvements claimed are more imagined than real.


Your money and your choice but frankly you should spend your hard earned cash on something more useful, or perhaps alcoholic.

[Leon Novello]

I had one in my Bullet for over 16000 kms; I only changed it because the engine needed a hotter one at the time. You won`t notice any difference except that it will last a lot longer than a standard plug, probably 20000 kms.  It`s up to you which plug you need by looking at it, if it is black and oily, fit the hotter plug; if you are not sure, get a mechanic to look at it.

[Dennis C]

To be honest I am not familiar with this bike but if it has a  magneto then don't use an irridium plug. or any kind of resistor cap or lead.


 I think the bike has coil ignition but not sure.


If you have bad starting you should look for the root cause rather than masking it.

[PeteF]

I don't think they produce a better spark but they do seem to last longer.


I would look elswhere for reasons for poor starting.

[Howzie]

Hi all,


Thanks for your swift reply, I wil take your advice & stick with what I have.


Cheers,


Howzie. 

[Beezabryan]

Iridium plugs need not be expensove, depends where they are sourced.


My experience has been slightly more reliable tickover and greater logevity. Our Bullet is a bit of an oiler and will chew NGKs, the iridium I fitted rather more than 2 years ago has outlived 3 or 4 NGKs. I am now in profit.


The Flash & a Box on the olther hand is still running the plugs I fitted in 2006 for the BSA USA Rall


My 2 drachma

[Roy]

[Roy]

I run my 1962 Crusader on a NGK BP6HS plug and it usually starts with the first kick. I removed the suppressor some while back as I found it reduced the power of the spark somewhat and it may have been faulty. Provided your carburettor is properly set these Bikes usually are easy starters.

[John R]

I have variously used normal and iridium plugs. The iridium ones are said to produce a hotter, fatter spark. When I first had my bike, because it was in poor condition and because my starting technique was poor, it would take on average 5-6 kicks to start. With an iridium plug, this came down to 3-4 tries. 


 With better technique and better fettling, this came down to 1st or second kick irrespective of plug type. I do not perceive any benefit in terms of performance or economy and wouldn't expect it- after all, as Mike nearly says, either the spark fires the mixture or it doesn't. So, they seem to last longer, and there may be an advantage if your bike is a hard starter. On a single, I would tend to give them the benefit of the doubt. If I had an XJ12 it would be a different matter!