| Author | Message | ||
     Sanchez |
Too rich? It has maybe 10 miles on it with a handful of WOT runs.  (Message edited by sanchez on November 05, 2006) | ||
| Iamike |
If that were my plug from a carburated bike, I'd say it was too lean. Normally (maybe not in 10 mi.)I'd think that it would be a light brown. The injected bikes seem to run more like what you show. | ||
| Sanchez |
Hmm, well if it looks lean, but it isn't pinging, maybe it's right where it should be? Or might there be some power gains with a fatter mix? The bike is a carbureted 2002 M2 with X1 cams and a Buell race kit airbox, headers, and muffler. I know the real solution is to take it to a dyno and pay someone to tune it, but I kind of want to see what I can do just tinkering with it on my own. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I would suggest putting a little more gas in there. It looks like the outside electrode has been heated red hot and is discolored. Too rich = ruin your plugs Too lean = ruin your top end You know, just to be safe? | ||
| Sickquad |
I would say you need to richen it up a bit. I took mine to a dyno tuner with amazing results. Would definitely do it again. | ||
| Akbuell |
I'm thinking lean. After your WOT run, did you chop the throttle(and ignition), pull in the clutch, stop, remove the plug, and then take the photo? That will give a main jet reading, and should be a light brown. If you rode back home and then removed the plug, what you are seeing is low and mid-range mixture, and it still appears lean. For the sake of your pistons, go up about 2 main jet sizes, and check WOT reading. If that's good, the mid-range and low speed will be richer; then you can fool with needle position for throttle response. A little time consuming, but the quest is rewarding. | ||
| Sanchez |
Thanks, guys. This is exactly the information I was hoping for. | ||
| Sanchez |
How's this look? It seems a bit browner.   The dealership didn't have a 205 in stock, so I only raised it from a 195 to a 200. The bike seems to run more easily with less enrichener during warm up, but that's difficult to measure objectively. On a related note, I found that the previous owner had already drilled out the plug on the idle mixture screw. It was way further out than I see recommended on this board, so I reseated it, and turned it out 2.5 turns. | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
Sanchez, I think your bike is too rich, looking at your plug and remembering that when I put my X1 cams in I ended up jetting down from stock(195) Had to put it on the dyno to make a believer out of me though. Plug readings are over rated unless your at the race track.IMHO........Charlie | ||
| Malott442 |
Lean is mean, lean hurts. Lean is fast, lean makes things burst. Rich makes you wash the walls in extreme cases, rich fouls the plugs. Plugs are 8.oo. A top end gasket set is 84.00, not including the price of jug work, pistons, rings, depending on the severity of the heat buildup. I run rich. Ever since that incident with my methanol experiment. OOPS. | ||
| Jackbequick |
Here is a page with some good photos of plugs from way too lean to way too rich: http://www.dansmc.com/Spark_Plugs/Spark_Plugs_cata log.html The plugs on my M2 always looked like the ones in photos 18 to 20. The rear cylinder was always slightly leaner (a little lighter shade of brown) then the front and I figured that was because it runs a little hotter. Jack | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
The plug chart is good for plugs you have had in for a 1000 miles+, but Sanchez's plugs only have 10 miles or so on them.(apples& oranges)Not the best way to tell about your engine(if you want to know right away). If I were going to use a plug reading to check something I had changed in an engine, I would use slightly used plugs(note the condition before) and then get a reading at 50 to a 100 miles and look for changes in the plugs. Still not as good as the dyno........Charlie | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Do you think that the accelerator pump would make it appear to be more rich than it actually is? | ||
| Oldog |
I have been looking at this for a few days sanchez I have to agree with nate I would richen it up a fair amount, Charlie the light brown or light grey ash is present and that few a miles that plug is sterile and as nate pointed above the electrode is discolored, the blue area is reaching over 600f the straw / red areas have gotten hotter yet, plugs are cheaper than pistons ... |
