Vaquero sparkplug life - Page 3

ballbreaker · 04-06-2019, 03:01 PM

Copy that Dragon Lady. My new plugs came in yesterday and I will install soon. Thanks to all that have replied with opinions.

mike07nad · 04-06-2019, 08:29 PM

Ok - I installed my new plugs and set the gap at midway of range in manual. Now sometimes it does not start as good as it did with the old plugs. It's almost like it's flooded out. It runs fine when started, gets some of the highest MPGs I've ever gotten. I need to see what the gap on the old plug was to see how near the gap I set the new ones at.

Oh and I put Antisieze and some slippy stuff (can't remember what I used) on the insulator of the plug to help the boot split on.

Any thoughts on why it wouldn't start as good?

DragonLady58 · 04-07-2019, 02:42 AM

Well, could have cracked plugs, you know that UPS, Fed Ex, and the like sometimes like to play football with the packages....
Pull your boots off, wipe the top of the plug off with alcohol on a rag and wipe out the inside of the boot, too. If whatever lube leaves a trail down to the metal case...it could possibly cause misfiring. Some lubes conduct really well causing a short.

Also, make sure your boots are engaging good and fully seated with the sparkplug wires. Did your metal ends come off inside the boot when you pulled the boots off? Sometimes, you have to take to boot apart and tighten the connector up if the boots were really stuck to the plugs. You should feel the metal up inside the boot engaging on top of the plug when you put it on. If not, somethings wrong....
Also, wait till its night, crank your bike up, let it sit on its side stand, and look around your plug boot for arcing.
Is it running rough? Is it missing? Look at the # on the plugs and make sure they sent you the right ones....sometimes the moron fills in for folks at their job site.
Pull your plugs again, and make sure no anti-seize got on your electrodes.....they should run as good or better than the ones you took out if properly gapped!
Hope this helps....

mike07nad · 04-07-2019, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

Well, could have cracked plugs, you know that UPS, Fed Ex, and the like sometimes like to play football with the packages....
Pull your boots off, wipe the top of the plug off with alcohol on a rag and wipe out the inside of the boot, too. If whatever lube leaves a trail down to the metal case...it could possibly cause misfiring. Some lubes conduct really well causing a short.

Also, make sure your boots are engaging good and fully seated with the sparkplug wires. Did your metal ends come off inside the boot when you pulled the boots off? Sometimes, you have to take to boot apart and tighten the connector up if the boots were really stuck to the plugs. You should feel the metal up inside the boot engaging on top of the plug when you put it on. If not, somethings wrong....
Also, wait till its night, crank your bike up, let it sit on its side stand, and look around your plug boot for arcing.
Is it running rough? Is it missing? Look at the # on the plugs and make sure they sent you the right ones....sometimes the moron fills in for folks at their job site.
Pull your plugs again, and make sure no anti-seize git on your electrodes.....they should run as good or better than the ones you took out if properly gapped!
Hope this helps....

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this.

I'll have to take it back apart again and check things out.

On the 1700 the plug is way down in a hole and the plug wire snaps into the plasti-chrome head cover. I'm gonna guess the plug wire end is about 3 inches long with a rib that seats in that cover. I was unable to feel when the plug wire snapped onto the plug - I did get them seated in the cover.

The rear plug went down in the hole just fine - It stayed in the spark plug socket until I threaded it.

The front plug slipped out of the socket and fell into the hole - then I put the socket in to thread it. Maybe I hit the electrode or something when it went into the hole.

As for the Anti-seize - just a find little film on the threads with a little 1/4 inch brush.

It will be hard to get it dark anywhere that thing is running since I put in the LED headlight bulb - I'll listen for ticking. I'm an old snowmobiler - had my share of spark plug ticking in back in the day.

Again - thanks for the list - I'll start the process.

Mike

DragonLady58 · 04-07-2019, 10:50 AM

Yea, dropping that plug business end first down in the hole isn't good....thats why I Use the 3/8s gas line on the plug. Cut yourself 2 pieces, 1pc. 4" long & 1pc. 6" long....push the top of the plug into the hose to where its pretty snug....stick it into the recess and screw it in. I do this on all plugs. You should be able to screw the plug almost all the way in....
Then, finish off with socket, extension and torque wrench....Thats important for heat transfer of the plug....
Use whichever length that will hold plug good and will stick out of the recess enough for you to grasp it good and turn comfortably with your fingers.
After its in, pull the hose straight & gently twist, should slide right on off.
Don't go shoving it up in the hose to the hilt, just push it into the hose till its held firmly. The whole idea is to use the hose as a plug socket & extension, and you won't be able to screw it in hard enough to damage the threads.
If the hose wants to bend slightly if you cut it off a roll....soak the hose in some really hot water, reverse the bend till its straight and let it cool off....should stay straight....or find a piece of formed 3/8' line and cut from that. Your favorite auto parts store will help you out....
I have a collection of them for different bikes....

mike07nad · 04-09-2019, 07:46 AM

DragonLady58 Thanks again for your insight. Yesterday I added another sysmptom - I turned on the AM radio. I mean the AM radio that used to be usable. All I got was Popping and clicking. I wonder if these the new plugs are Not Resistor plugs. Hmmm... Now I have to find time to tear it apart and tinker with it. Just so you know - It was 70+ degrees here yesterday for the first time since last fall. I chose to ride. It still runs OK, Didn't have any problem starting yesterday. I'll continue my search on a rainy day. Note - my wife forced me to ride. Thanks again.

mike07nad · 04-14-2019, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike07nad

DragonLady58 Thanks again for your insight. Yesterday I added another sysmptom - I turned on the AM radio. I mean the AM radio that used to be usable. All I got was Popping and clicking. I wonder if these the new plugs are Not Resistor plugs. Hmmm... Now I have to find time to tear it apart and tinker with it. Just so you know - It was 70+ degrees here yesterday for the first time since last fall. I chose to ride. It still runs OK, Didn't have any problem starting yesterday. I'll continue my search on a rainy day. Note - my wife forced me to ride. Thanks again.

Well I started looking through my manual to see what the GAP should be after checking my old plugs which were at .043in. Then I found the problem. Under specifications it states - Spark plug gap = 1.0 - 1.1mm (0.031 - .035 in) Then back on the Electrical system Spark Plug Condition Inspection page is says Spark plug gap = 1.0 - 1.1mm (0.039 - .043 in). Someone in the Kawasaki Editor Department missed that one.

I reset the plugs at .042 and all is well - Starts better. It was raining so I didn't ride it. But I think we're gonna be good.

Thanks to all who helped.

Peg · 04-15-2019, 01:42 AM

I'm not sure why you just didn't set the gap to 1.0 - 1.1mm in the first place Mike?

mbarr10 · 04-15-2019, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Well I started looking through my manual to see what the GAP should be after checking my old plugs which were at .043in. Then I found the problem. Under specifications it states - Spark plug gap = 1.0 - 1.1mm (0.031 - .035 in) Then back on the Electrical system Spark Plug Condition Inspection page is says Spark plug gap = 1.0 - 1.1mm (0.039 - .043 in). Someone in the Kawasaki Editor Department missed that one.

WOW, Nice catch. Good to know stuff

mike07nad · 04-15-2019, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peg

I'm not sure why you just didn't set the gap to 1.0 - 1.1mm in the first place Mike?

I'm one of those old guys who thinks that SAE is the right way and that this Metric conversion is just a fad and I'm not gonna give up. Hey has any one seen my 10mm socket?

To be honest - I'm gonna have to go look at my feeler gauges and see if I turn them over they have Metric on the Other Side - Never Looked. Actually I was amazed I had a set of feeler gauges. Actually I'm amazed I could spell gauges without using spell check.

mike07nad · 04-15-2019, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbarr10

WOW, Nice catch. Good to know stuff

This morning I even checked the Soft Copy I have on my Computer and sure enough
Page 2-14 (Wrong) Page 1-40 (Correct)

mike07nad · 04-15-2019, 06:51 AM

The sad part is - In some conversation the other day I quoted someone the Spark Plug Gap Spec - I even gave them a screen shot of the manual. Wonder who that was?? Hmmmm. I'm sure it was on FaceBook. One of the 4 or 5 Vulcan/Vaquero/Voyager/1700 pages I belong to.

RACNRAY · 04-20-2019, 09:09 AM

Down here in S. Fla there are not many 1700's anymore...I used to have them coming outa my ears, and I kept plugs in stock even tho these plugs go 50,000+ miles easily.

I still have 2 sets of plugs that need new homes, so I'll let them go for $27.00 a pair including ground shipping to the 48 states.

RACNRAY

**smokier** · 04-21-2019, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

Down here in S. Fla there are not many 1700's anymore...I used to have them coming outa my ears, and I kept plugs in stock even tho these plugs go 50,000+ miles easily.

I still have 2 sets of plugs that need new homes, so I'll let them go for $27.00 a pair including ground shipping to the 48 states.

RACNRAY

I'll take a pair/set Ray. I will PM you... Paypal, right?

04-06-2019, 03:01 PM	#31
ballbreaker Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: canada Posts: 487	Copy that Dragon Lady. My new plugs came in yesterday and I will install soon. Thanks to all that have replied with opinions. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-07-2019, 02:42 AM	#33
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	Well, could have cracked plugs, you know that UPS, Fed Ex, and the like sometimes like to play football with the packages.... Pull your boots off, wipe the top of the plug off with alcohol on a rag and wipe out the inside of the boot, too. If whatever lube leaves a trail down to the metal case...it could possibly cause misfiring. Some lubes conduct really well causing a short. Also, make sure your boots are engaging good and fully seated with the sparkplug wires. Did your metal ends come off inside the boot when you pulled the boots off? Sometimes, you have to take to boot apart and tighten the connector up if the boots were really stuck to the plugs. You should feel the metal up inside the boot engaging on top of the plug when you put it on. If not, somethings wrong.... Also, wait till its night, crank your bike up, let it sit on its side stand, and look around your plug boot for arcing. Is it running rough? Is it missing? Look at the # on the plugs and make sure they sent you the right ones....sometimes the moron fills in for folks at their job site. Pull your plugs again, and make sure no anti-seize got on your electrodes.....they should run as good or better than the ones you took out if properly gapped! Hope this helps.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Last edited by DragonLady58; 04-08-2019 at 03:50 PM.
	0

04-07-2019, 10:50 AM	#35
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	Yea, dropping that plug business end first down in the hole isn't good....thats why I Use the 3/8s gas line on the plug. Cut yourself 2 pieces, 1pc. 4" long & 1pc. 6" long....push the top of the plug into the hose to where its pretty snug....stick it into the recess and screw it in. I do this on all plugs. You should be able to screw the plug almost all the way in.... Then, finish off with socket, extension and torque wrench....Thats important for heat transfer of the plug.... Use whichever length that will hold plug good and will stick out of the recess enough for you to grasp it good and turn comfortably with your fingers. After its in, pull the hose straight & gently twist, should slide right on off. Don't go shoving it up in the hose to the hilt, just push it into the hose till its held firmly. The whole idea is to use the hose as a plug socket & extension, and you won't be able to screw it in hard enough to damage the threads. If the hose wants to bend slightly if you cut it off a roll....soak the hose in some really hot water, reverse the bend till its straight and let it cool off....should stay straight....or find a piece of formed 3/8' line and cut from that. Your favorite auto parts store will help you out.... I have a collection of them for different bikes.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by DragonLady58; 04-08-2019 at 03:51 PM.
	0

04-15-2019, 01:42 AM	#38
Peg Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Coast, North Island, New Zealand Posts: 1,375	I'm not sure why you just didn't set the gap to 1.0 - 1.1mm in the first place Mike? __________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like wrinkles in the duct tape '02 1500 blonde Nomad (Sold) '97 800 burgundy Classic (Sold)
	0

04-20-2019, 09:09 AM	#43
RACNRAY Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SOUTH FLORIDA Posts: 1,210	Iridiums for sale Down here in S. Fla there are not many 1700's anymore...I used to have them coming outa my ears, and I kept plugs in stock even tho these plugs go 50,000+ miles easily. I still have 2 sets of plugs that need new homes, so I'll let them go for $27.00 a pair including ground shipping to the 48 states. RACNRAY __________________ "TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY"
	0

04-06-2019, 08:29 PM	#32
mike07nad Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palmyra, Pa - Near Hershey Posts: 426	Ok - I installed my new plugs and set the gap at midway of range in manual. Now sometimes it does not start as good as it did with the old plugs. It's almost like it's flooded out. It runs fine when started, gets some of the highest MPGs I've ever gotten. I need to see what the gap on the old plug was to see how near the gap I set the new ones at. Oh and I put Antisieze and some slippy stuff (can't remember what I used) on the insulator of the plug to help the boot split on. Any thoughts on why it wouldn't start as good?
	0

04-09-2019, 07:46 AM	#36
mike07nad Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palmyra, Pa - Near Hershey Posts: 426	DragonLady58 Thanks again for your insight. Yesterday I added another sysmptom - I turned on the AM radio. I mean the AM radio that used to be usable. All I got was Popping and clicking. I wonder if these the new plugs are Not Resistor plugs. Hmmm... Now I have to find time to tear it apart and tinker with it. Just so you know - It was 70+ degrees here yesterday for the first time since last fall. I chose to ride. It still runs OK, Didn't have any problem starting yesterday. I'll continue my search on a rainy day. Note - my wife forced me to ride. Thanks again.
	0

04-15-2019, 06:51 AM	#42
mike07nad Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palmyra, Pa - Near Hershey Posts: 426	The sad part is - In some conversation the other day I quoted someone the Spark Plug Gap Spec - I even gave them a screen shot of the manual. Wonder who that was?? Hmmmm. I'm sure it was on FaceBook. One of the 4 or 5 Vulcan/Vaquero/Voyager/1700 pages I belong to.
	0