Forum

[Alan R]

Hi Matey !!------------- short runs?,----commuting ??----the odd,occassional use ?? Give the old girl a treat, take it for a good, lengthy run, with some "top-end" speed thrown in---then do a "plug-chop" test and get a true reading of the main jet/plug condition. CLEAN & Properly-gapped points, Is the bike a standard set-up OR---have there been any changes ??? Float level check ?? (Carbon traces on the centre electrode can give tracking probs.). Have a look at the colour of the spark when tested in the open air----it should be bright blue with a distinctive "crack!!" sound. If it's looking a dull, red colour then check connections to and/or change your capacitor(condensor). My 2005 Bullet 500 Classic uses the normal points ignition with an irridium plug and a VM28mm Mikcarb via. a Caddy air filter. When did you last clean/change the air filter ????

[lee41]

Alan
Thanks for your posting use it 3 times a month some times more pleasure rides only,have tried to go for long open her up rides but get to about 30 miles have to change the plug.
nothings been modified.
looking to clean/check the carb this seems a good place to start.
when the spark plug needs changing it still has a spark but not strong enough but placing a new plug in, the spark is bright and clearly good as it starts first time when fitted.
would too much power going through the ignition system "blow" the plugs??
seems like i am not alone in this quest as i have been on other forums and other poeple had same issues with differnt bikes but to no conclusion.
regards

[Craig]

Been following this Thread (& Early ones) They is clearly a Problem with plug's....Earlier Posts agreed on the Ethanol glazing Problem and some links Were Posted to some excellent sites, also the NGK Problem & Counterfeit Plugs Problem....I Have suffered Too and believe you all!!........
HOWEVER (Spanner in the works) My 500's have all suffered ! & a New Plug NGK helps them Zooom away....My 350's Lean-burn and 96 (India) Classic NGK.."NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM" I have Tried Flea Bay Plugs & Trusted local source for both bikes.....500's Some last Months other weeks...350 some Last Years others still in......And that Inferior MICO Indian Plug thats my 15 year old spare Starts Every time......CONCLUSION! 350's rule Ok ;0)

[Howard 612]

Modern plugs ain't what they used to be. They used to be able to withstand "wetting" because of the glaze applied to the surface of the ceramic insulator, this glaze is now of a "less good"nature as most plugs get fitted into engines with E.F.I. which is apparently much less likely to wet plugs.
I would dearly love to see a "premium grade" of plug introduced which is suitable for use in older engines with carburettors.

[Beezabryan]

As Lee has tried an iridium plug with no improvement I think we can discount the plug.............The "stale petrol" syndrome is so unlikely as to be discarded, due to physical incapacity our Flash & a box has had little use this year and there was a lengthy period when I could not ride the Bullet....Both fired up fine when I got well enough to swing the kickstart. The flash has had the same plugs since 2006 & the Bullet since 2010.....It has to be something simple.............I wonder if Lees engine is an "oiler" & it is unburnt oil killing the plugs?.....

[Norm]

Howard is onto it, jetting not right wets the plug, you can't see it as wet but it will fail because as he says new plugs these days can't handle it, even thogh they have the same numbers on them. I was able to prove it by opening the throttle quickly on the crossbred going up hill and the plug would fail. Going downhill not a problem, uphill, bingo

[lee41]

Thanks for all the postings,the plug is always carbon fouling look ,will check the plug lead and conection in the dark.

have taken the carb apart and cleaned.Yet to go for a spin.
will check bobbins?
not losing oil.
going to try a champion plug as well.

will keep you informed on the progress.

[Jack]

I'm using the original Mica 2001 (indian plug)projected tip plug,no problems.Put a new
NGK in without projected tip and blah,hesitation.I'm pretty sure NZ dealer-guru
Tim Busby recomends projected tip in CI motors.Maybe something in this??
Jack

[Phil666]

mine coughs and farts sometimes on nkg plugs but runs a dream with 97RON petrol instead ....might help?

[simon]

I don't think it's so much the plugs to blame as the petrol. This modern unleaded stuff is prone to turn itself into highly conductive carbon with one chuff and the plugs are kaput thereafter. The good news is if you get he mixture right the plugs last forever (or near as damn it.) I've had the same set of L87C Champions in the Ducati for five years now. Intermittent use short trips all the worst excesses of city driving and they haven't missed a beat. Took months getting the mixture right in the first place though.