Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Gusable on October 01, 2022, 08:21:48 PM
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I’m tuning my bike (94 cali 1100) and looking at the plugs. I’m getting some black color more on one side than the other. Checking the service manual it says plugs are replaced at 6k. Why is that? Due to the carbs having accelerator pumps? I wouldnt think the plugs would “wear” in 6000 miles. Any thoughts?
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Maybe ... 60,000 miles, but 6K would be crazy. :grin:
It is HEI is it not ?
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Here’s the screen shot from manual. 6k replacement
(https://i.ibb.co/RQJQ8xh/C4-EA889-E-5856-4-DE3-ACC0-0802-F016-D52-F.png) (https://ibb.co/RQJQ8xh)
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Forget the manual. I can't remember the last time I changed plugs. Probably 50K or more.
BTW, here is the plug I use on bikes similar to yours. Had trouble finding them at the stores. Bought a bunch of NOS through EBAY.
http://www.guzzipower.com/Sparkplug-pehayes.html (http://www.guzzipower.com/Sparkplug-pehayes.html)
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
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My bikes run a little rich with maybe some oil fouling too. I change them out when I adjust the valves at 9-10k. I think the book says about the same. I have legacy big block V11s.
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Wow , 60,000km on motorcycle plugs , you're way more Scottish than even I . I'd probably sell it
before trying to remove plugs that have been in that long :) . Peter
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I put NGK iridium plugs in my Stelvio (CR8EIX). Similar plugs are rated for 90,000 miles in my car. Anyway, I found the ground side electrode with significant wear after 25,000 miles. And they had to be regapped to close the enlarged gap at 12,000 miles.
I'm going back to regular plugs, and simply going to replace them every service or every other service (10,000 km interval) depending on how the gap looks.
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Patrick I’m VERY interested in the Bosch 4016 plugs. From my automotive career Bosch platinum is NOT my first choice but your findings are very interesting. I’d love to run them. My plugs look “rich” and possibly some oil fouling (maybe) that’s my concern. How long can I run these plugs rich and sooty. Bike runs best with rich pilots
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I just bit the bullet and bought the 4016’s :)
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Mmm
My V-7II is coming up on 25,000 miles and I've never even thought about looking at the plugs ... Maybe I should take a peak at them ? I bought it new in 2017 and had 3 bikes most of the time , but the V7 always cranks right up and averages 55mpg with a big windshield and 40L bags on it.
It runs very lean so I'd really be shocked to see soot on them.
Does anyone have knowledge of the iridium plugs getting better fuel millage ?
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I think the platinum and iridium just last longer and supposedly are hotter to some extent.
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FWIW, I closely examine my plugs to make sure both electrodes are in good shape. If they are, I clean them, gap them, and reuse them. I also handle them carefully and don't toss them onto the bench or tool chest.
This goes back to my racing days when I used racing plugs that were not commonly available, so I couldn't just replace them willy-nilly. Not only could I not find them everywhere, but they were very pricey when I did find them.
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The small block service manuals have called for the plugs to be replaced at 6000 miles since the V7 II. That seemed nutty enough with the previous models, but especially since the V7 850 uses iridium plugs. Interesting that the V85TT uses the same plug with an 18,000 mile replacement interval.
Sarah
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If bike is running good, I leave well enough alone.
Once a year I do normal Maintenace and check the plugs.
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Mmm
My V-7II is coming up on 25,000 miles and I've never even thought about looking at the plugs ... Maybe I should take a peak at them ? I bought it new in 2017 and had 3 bikes most of the time , but the V7 always cranks right up and averages 55mpg with a big windshield and 40L bags on it.
It runs very lean so I'd really be shocked to see soot on them.
Does anyone have knowledge of the iridium plugs getting better fuel millage ?
I would think your plugs would get looked at when removed for valve adjustment.
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Patrick I’m VERY interested in the Bosch 4016 plugs. From my automotive career Bosch platinum is NOT my first choice but your findings are very interesting. I’d love to run them. My plugs look “rich” and possibly some oil fouling (maybe) that’s my concern. How long can I run these plugs rich and sooty. Bike runs best with rich pilots
You have a carb bike and not an FI system?
My 98 EVs always look a little sooty or dirty on one side of the plug.
Here's my story.
I had an Eldorado for a long time. Regina had a V50. Someone sold a Convert to me for cheap money. The Convert was a 'cobler's child' in that I ignored it and never maintained or adjusted anything beyond carb balance. It ALWAYS started and ran reliably. One day I decided to look at the plugs. Guess what I found in there? I bought more and installed into the Eldorado. Transformed the idle and increased fuel economy. I bought more and installed into the V50. Transformed hard starting issues. I have since used them in every one of my Guzzi. SPII, V65C, and two 98EVs. I never check them. They just work. Not sure about usage in newer spine frame or modern smallblocks. If I have them out for other reasons like head torque and valve adjust then I might clean a little and reset the electrode. Otherwise, ignore and ride. YMMV.
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
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Awesome! Yes it is dellorto carburetors. Someday I’d like to tune the accel pumps and the choke circuit to tone down all this fuel blast down low.
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coast range rider
I did do the valve check thing the first year I had it (2017-18 winter) the bike was getting the first service and the warrantee was still on. It was OK and I haven't looked at them since then. I had forgot how it was checking them , (put it in high gear and turn the motor).
I'm starting to feel guilty for just ridding it , but it does get oil changes with full Synthetic oil on regular 6k-mile intervals . I think I'll go to Auto Zone and get some new plugs then set the valves to see if the fuel millage goes up any ? I've got a feeling that fuel will be going back up in $$$ as the winter comes along this year !
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I liked being able to Jet my Carbs anyway I wanted to before all went injected , but don't have and carb bikes anymore. Maybe I should have hung on the that last one ? :undecided:
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I like this dellorto bike cause all I need is a cresent wrench and a flat blade screwdriver to diagnose fuel issues on side of the road. I deal with fuel injection everyday all day at work. This is fun and relaxing
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In 1994 plugs probably did need changing every 6K but plug technology as moved on in leaps and bounds since then
Iridium plugs seem to have a life of 100,000 miles so probably more than the life of the bike for most of us!
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I just did a 5K mile service on my California 1400 Touring.
(I know it's supposed to be 6K, but 5K is easier to remember.....)
I ordered plugs from Sparkplugs.com. (Thanks to whoever mentioned them on this
forum. Very quick service. O- that's a "Plug" for these guys! :rolleyes:)
The original plugs looked fine. Gap was .035" - manual specs .024" to .028".
Gap on the new plugs was .035". I set 'em to .028", put some anti-seize on the threads
and reinstalled the originals. Setting the gap was fussy. None of the spark plug tools I have would let
me narrow the gap without pressing on the center insulator - I didn't want to break that
at $7 a plug. So, I CAREFULLY pressed the ground electrode against the workbench to narrow
the gap until it was correct. Oh, and I also filed the end of the ground electrode to get a
nice sharp, square edge again.
Adjusted the valves, and replaced the air filter with a K&N. I did the latter primarily to extend
the maintenance interval. The air filter is a bit of a pain on this machine.
And just like in the manuals, it starts quicker, runs smoother, and accelerates better than before
I touched it! :laugh:
-Stretch