Hitchcocks Forum

Help !! What the hell is going on ? I recently bought a 2003 500cc bullet imported out of India in 2008 . It had only 260 k/m on the clock when I bought it January 2016 . Been in someones shed for 13 years I guess . Anyway , 5 months and 2000 k/m later I am now on my 5th or 6th spark plug ! Workshop manual tells me I need a NGK B8ES . It seems to run fine until one day it just refuses to start until I put a new plug in . Having repeated this replacement procedure 5 or 6 times now it obviously is not just a question of one faulty plug . I have also tried cleaning the plug , adjusting the electrode clearance and the only thing that helps is a new one . The colour of the plug seems ok , not too oily not too dry , nothing strange coming out of the exhaust . Once it is started it seems to run fine . I have now ordered a NGK BR8ES which one website recommended for the bull to see if that helps .God knows what the difference is between a B8ES and a BR8ES but I am just going to try it . Having said that I have come across all kinds of alternative suggestions on internet . Not to mention the "owners manual" suggests a W5DC plug . Anyone out there got any ideas ?

There are quite a few plug related threads on here all giving different advice, from my own experience I feel that modern NGK plugs have changed to suit the modern lean burn engines and soon fail in an older type, I had the problem with my Super Meteor, I changed to the Champion equivalent plug and problem sorted, also be very careful where you buy your plugs as the market is awash with cheap Chinese fakes.

I had similar problems with Thumper. (2003 Bullet 500 CC imported to DK as new in 2005.) He'd done 1750 km when I got him and he had stood still for 8 years. So, very similar history. The plug he came with was a suppressed thing, I can't remember the number, and he didn't like 'em at all..

I found an NGK B8ES and he runs fine on that. (I've bought a spare one too...) So far, I've covered over 2000 km on that plug. The number on the plug is as I wrote it.. not BR8ES but B8ES

Hope this helps and I'm sure some clever dick will be on here soon to explain the differences...

I had similar problems with Thumper. (2003 Bullet 500 CC imported to DK as new in 2005.) He'd done 1750 km when I got him and he had stood still for 8 years. So, very similar history. The plug he came with was a suppressed thing, I can't remember the number, and he didn't like 'em at all..

I found an NGK B8ES and he runs fine on that. (I've bought a spare one too...) So far, I've covered over 2000 km on that plug. The number on the plug is as I wrote it.. not BR8ES but B8ES

Hope this helps and I'm sure some clever dick will be on here soon to explain the differences...

I believe the "R" indicates a resistor plug, sorry, Dick.

What is a "resistor" plug ? Would be good to know seeing as I just ordered two ! Thanks for all the reactions . It seems like the answer is just to try different plugs . I will try the BR8ES first when they get here and then the Champion and then the Bosch W5DC which strangely enough is recommended in the owners manual ! I have only ever owned an Enfield in India before now and there one simply pays a local to sort it out for a couple of rupees . It is all together a different kind of adventure here in Europe having to figure it out oneself . Anyway , it is good to know it is not just MY spark plugs !!!

Only to add to all the above Advice That all though I had one 500 Classic Iron Head 4 speed..That was Very Fussy in the Spark Plug Dept inc New Plug Great..Clean Plug 50/50 usually NGK....My Early 90s 600 no Prob & my 350's all on NGK (Touch Wood) Never a problem....But I agree they is something Fishy in the World of Spark Plugs and Enfields...See other Posts.

Thanks Dennis, for pointing that out.. but as Muttlynco asks.. "what is a resistor plug?"

I'm aware there must be some difference due to the part numbers, explain (please) just what that differene is and why should it matter? Has it something to do with the interference factor on TV sets and such? Or something else entirely?

The 'R' in the type code stands for 'Resistor' and you don't want or need one in your Bullet. Some people mistakenly believe the 'R' is for racing, but it is definitely not. A resistor plug combined with a resistor cap will cause all sorts of ignition gremlins. Regards, Paul.

The 'R' in the plug name means 'resistor' . . . if the cap is a resistor cap (NGK is red plastic) then you need a non-resistor plug (i.e. B8ES). Likewise vice versa if the plug cap is not a resistor type then you need the BR8ES plug. If in doubt give our hosts a call in the morning.