| Author | Message | ||
     Jersey_thunder |
does anyone run iridium spark plugs? and why? jt | ||
| Buellistic |
"NO" You can buy CHAMPION SPARK PLUGS at Wal-Mart ... | ||
| Buellbozo |
Hey Ya'll. This is my first fuel-injected bike. I'd like to hear from others about the following... My 99S3T has 10R12 plugs in it. Gutted airbox, V&H, race ecm with no tps reset. Engine behavior is as sweet as I could ask for. It starts, idles,has crisp throttle response and just plain pulls. I'm thrilled. It does not pop, spit, backfire or in any way exhibit the usual signs of a lean condition. I understand that a TPS reset can only make things better and will get one "someday". Having said all that for background, here's my question... Both before and after the above changes, my plugs are just plain whiter than I'm used to seeing on my carbureted bikes. You know... that nice shade of beige that says "a little rich, but happy". No signs of blistering or detonation, just white insulators except where facing the intake valve where its a smudge darker. Is this normal? Because DDFI holds mixture so close to ideal? Would #11 plugs be prudent for long rides? Opinions welcome.Please chime in. Thanks.  | ||
| Blake |
Sounds great to me! If it runs well, it is good to go!  | ||
| Buellbozo |
Thanks for the response, Blake. I know I just got lucky with the TPS. I did do all the changes at once, fired it and with minimal warmup and no blipping, immediately ran several miles steady state in fourth. I'd like to think that maybe I helped by not giving it a chance to get confused. Gotta get used to this electronc mc stuff. Guess I'm just a Luddite after all. | ||
| Blake |
You and me both. I'm jazzed about the new Direct Link stuff though. | ||
| Buellbozo |
Any other comments on my Questions?? How 'bout it "heavy hitters"... I've got an expiring mind, and I want to know. Thanks. Greg | ||
| Steveford |
I would have the TPS reset if it was my bike. | ||
| Buellbozo |
Steve, Thanks for responding. My local H-D dealer can't/won't do it. Next closest dlrs. are far enough to make getting the SW from Al about equal expense. Lack of experience with FI and such slows me as well. Could someone please respond specificly about acceptable, normal spark plug appearance in your bikes with DDFI? Thanks again. | ||
| Sparky |
I can't comment on acceptable, normal spark plug appearance because I run TorqueMaster spark plugs. These are anything but acceptable or normal looking, but they work great and last a long, long time. However, the answer to your question about color revolves around the art and science of reading plugs. The art is knowing exactly how to do a plug chop and the science is knowing what to look for. Basically reading plugs is done to help tune an engine for performance but it can also help determine the general health of an engine. I think the latter is what you are interested in. So what matters here is to accumulate a lot of miles on the plugs, say a thousand or so, and then look at them. I don't know what your riding habits are, but if you baby the engine lots, they could still be whitey white, and if they are after all those miles, and the engine runs normally with no pops or sneezes, count your luck stars and don't change a thing. | ||
| Buellbozo |
Thanks Sparky. My concern is "is it SAFE for my engines health".I probably ride easier than most. Occasional whacks to near redline in 2nd and 3rd is enough to give me "the GRIN". No burnouts, and no wheelies-well not counting those sweet little 2nd gear jobs that pop up now and then. Thanks again for taking the time. | ||
| Steveford |
Light brown front, whitish tan rear is what I normally see. | ||
| Bomber |
Bozo -- coming from a points and carb background, I was shocked to see the color of plugs on, first, electronic ignitioned bikes, and then later, on electronic ignitioned and FI bikes -- they are consistantly lighter in color than what I was brought up to look for -- that said, it seems to be OK -- the reason, as it's been explained to me by my knowledgeable betters, is that the e-ignition tranfers more energy across the plug gap (all things being equal) and the FI (when properly set up) holds the air-fule ration much closer to ideal than a carb will if it's running well, and not pinging, grin on, sir! | ||
| Buellbozo |
Thanks Ya'll!!! Its really nice to get advice you can count on. I've got all the bits to do the oil pump gear next. Feats dont fail me now!!! |
