Changing Spark Plugs

[dank]

Not sure how often everyone changes spark plugs. The manual says 7,500 miles. My dealer said that was ridiculous and to wait 40,000 to 50,000. I'm at 39,367 and decided to go ahead. WOW! Rode 170 miles this afternoon on the old plugs, then after it cooled I had some free time and changed them this evening. They looked normal in terms of fuel mixture, but the gaps were wide and some oxidation.

(http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/maintenance/sparkplugs.htm)

The difference in engine smoothness was very noticable. Butt-dyno said better acceleration, but that may just be perception. The smoothness is real.

So, I'm not sure what the right distance is, but I won't go more than maybe 20,000 this time.

That's my two cents for those wodering when to change and if it makes a difference. Can't tell you the optimal distance, but 40,000 is too long.

[schoeney]

Good input. I was wondering when the best time would be. 20k sounds good to me.

[cactusjack]

Geez, I've never heard of a dealer wanting to actually stretch the useful life of a consumable part, unless it was coming out of their pocket. I'm surprised he didn't tell you they need to be replaced every 6 months or something. Must not be much of a businessman. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[dank]

Geez, I've never heard of a dealer wanting to actually stretch the useful life of a consumable part, unless it was coming out of their pocket. I'm surprised he didn't tell you they need to be replaced every 6 months or something. Must not be much of a businessman. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

He's a good guy. Good service and reasonable prices. College Bike, Lansing Michigan. I feel fortunate as I read about other riders' experiences with local dealers.

[dabull]

is there anything special about changing the plugs on the Nomad? or is it take out old plugs, gap new plugs and stickem in 10 minute job??

[Top Cat]

Nothin' special. Pull old ones,gap new ones and install.

[ringadingh]

I replaced mine at about 28,000 miles and they still looked liked they had a pile of miles left in them. I didn't really notice an improvement in performanvce with the new plugs other than piece of mind.

[Jared]

What's the gap suppose to be on the Nomad plugs?

[emu]

What's the gap suppose to be on the Nomad plugs?

Plug gap setting is in your owners manual ... 0.8 mm (edited because reply below caught me sleeping at the helm) ... off the top of my head. When to change the plugs ... Depends on how the plug is holding up. But why worry? A rule of thumb for me is ... Changing and gaping the plugs is part of my Spring tune up and once over. I ride about 20,000 miles between early Spring and putting her away come the first spreading of salt in the Winter. So the plugs are a once a year thing for me. BTW ... New plugs are pre-gaped pretty close to the required setting called for in the manual. I still check the gap ... I'm kind of old school ... But if you didn't know the gap setting ... just popping in the new plugs would be fine.

[moenko]

Eh, 32 mm is over an inch - that can't be right LOL

[Cajunrider]

I changed mine at 9,000 miles only because my dealer wanted me to try one step colder plugs to alleviate pinging. I kept my original plugs, they looked that good. Gap is .032" - .036". The insulators were bright white with one little spot of tan indicating how lean the fuel mixture is. According to NGK, the insulators should be tan if your fuel mixture is correct. I don't know if it is coincidence but the pinging is less with the colder plug. I'll pull one after 1,000 miles to see if they are fouling due to being a slightly colder plug.

[emu]

Eh, 32 mm is over an inch - that can't be right LOL

Pardon me, the memory is in need of a tune up plug itself ;) ... As I said that was off the top of my head ... Should have been 0.032 in. ... the mm would be .8 .... I knew there was a 32 in the mix somewhere ... ::) LOL ... Thanks for the early morning catch. ;)

[ringadingh]

I changed mine at 9,000 miles only because my dealer wanted me to try one step colder plugs to alleviate pinging. I kept my original plugs, they looked that good. Gap is .032" - .036". The insulators were bright white with one little spot of tan indicating how lean the fuel mixture is. According to NGK, the insulators should be tan if your fuel mixture is correct. I don't know if it is coincidence but the pinging is less with the colder plug. I'll pull one after 1,000 miles to see if they are fouling due to being a slightly colder plug.

I switched to the NGK Iridium plugs, and they are one heat range colder than the stock plugs. Ive put about 15,000 miles on the plugs and they are working well with no fouling at all.

[Cajunrider]

Not enough coffee yet Emu.....

[emu]

Not enough coffee yet Emu.....

You could say that again ... and louder too ... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[blowndodge]

Geez, I've never heard of a dealer wanting to actually stretch the useful life of a consumable part, unless it was coming out of their pocket. I'm surprised he didn't tell you they need to be replaced every 6 months or something. Must not be much of a businessman. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

But he did sell him 2 quarts of Kawasaki Special Antifreeze so he made a bundle off him!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[moenko]

Hehe, never mind but, perhaps an "exalt" to boost your Karma works ;)



Eh, 32 mm is over an inch - that can't be right LOL

Pardon me, the memory is in need of a tune up plug itself ;) ... As I said that was off the top of my head ... Should have been 0.032 in. ... the mm would be .8 .... I knew there was a 32 in the mix somewhere ... ::) LOL ... Thanks for the early morning catch. ;)

[trip]

I've been changing out my plugs every 15,000-20,000 miles. Just sayin'.......

[blowndodge]

You? or the dealer????!!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[dogdoc]

Dealer of course. ;-)