Unbefreakingly believeable!!!

I just spent 45 minutes typing a post explaining my saga of last night. I hit "preview" and it was just...gone!

So here's the Cliff's Notes:

I got the carbs back on after cleaning the lower ends. Only #2 gave any sign at all of firing. I pulled and checked the spark plugs to find very weak spark on 1,2, and 4, and no spark at all on 3. I'm going to replace the plugs and try again.

Does anybody know of an auto parts store that normally carries motorcycle plugs?

Thx,

 

The next time that happens to you while posting, just hit the "Back" button on your browser. You should see all of your text still in the message box. I suppose you could try submitting it again, but I always highlight all of it and copy it, then start the posting process over again and paste the text into the message box. The copy and paste ensures that you won't lose your text, even if your browser window closes.

As for the plugs, I also had some difficulty finding them locally at big chain stores. I ended up finding them by accident when I took the wife and kids grocery shopping. There was a no-name motorsports shop next to the grocery store in the strip mall; I had never noticed it before but I guess it caught my eye because I was looking for the plugs. I went in and asked for the plugs. When they said they had them I didn't even ask how much, I just whipped out my credit card. The price turned out to be cheaper than any of the online prices I saw. My point is, don't limit yourself to big stores; check the yellow pages and call around.

If you aren't in a hurry, go to acehardware.com. They don't stock our plugs in the stores (At least mine didn't.), but you can order them on the Web site and have them shipped for free to your local Ace Hardware Store. The Champion RN9YC's are only $8.60 (plus tax) for a 4-pack. That was the cheapest price I could find online. The free shipping is a bonus.

 

Vinco:

My local Advance Auto Parts carries the NGK plugs and Fram oil filter for my baby Seca.

Might want to give them a call.

Good luck!
Herb

 

VIP has NGK plugs at a very reasonable price 8)

 

Vinco:

I think your 550 uses the same plugs as my 400 (NGK D8EA).

They were $1.88/each at Advance. NGK part number 2120, Advance item #5531829.

Herb

 

Yes, I called Advance, and they do have both Autolite's and NGK's in stock. $1.88 apiece for the NGK's beats the heck out of the probably $4 each at the dealer. Thanks guys! I'll update tomorrow once I put the new plugs in.

 

If you can, get the platinum's or even better the iridium's if you have the cash.

You will NOT be disappointed.

 

I'll use this as my opportunity for soap-boxing for a minute. I would strongly advise anyone AGAINST spending the money for platinum or iridium plugs until after everything else in the engine is PERFECT. The thing is that if you're fiddling with mixtures, syncing, tuning, or having any kind of fuel issue or other issue that might tend to foul plugs, the iridiums and platinums will foul just as quickly as the normal plugs. Once that plug is fouled, it's just as worthless and useless as the normal plug is when it fouls. Then you've just thrown away 30-40 bucks instead of 6-8 bucks for a new set.

I hereby yield the remainder of my soapbox time allotment.

 

I don't think Iridium Plugs are going to do much more than a nice fresh set of Regular Spark Plugs.

I know there are some who NEED to be able to BRAG and say: "I'm running NGK Iridium's!" I Know. It's OK to be extravagant. But, they're just unnecessary; especially if your bike ain't tuned-up "Right-on-the-nose."

All those gimmick and specialty Plugs makers have advertising departments that come-up with outlandish claims, catch phrases and slogans intended to make you think they're better for you and want you to feel you need to have them, real bad.

I'm very happy running Champion's.
So's my bike.
And my wallet.

 

Here here Rick. The high-dollar/nifty slogan plugs tend to be something that Joe Everyman doesn't need. Sparklers are supposed to be "self cleaning". This occurs at higher rpm ranges at sustained cruise. If you are hopping about town, you WILL find that those nice $6-a-pop plugs load up faster 'n you can shake a stick at. And that just isn't good. I've had more that a few folks come into the shop complaining about poor performance from a fresh tune up. Pop the plugs and they are loaded sooty black because the engine never gets up to the temperatures that are needed to clean the plugs. Of course it goes without saying that these are the same folks that rust out their exhaust mufflers because the exhaust never warms up either and the condensate pools in the bottom of the muffler where it eventually corrodes through.
If ye be a short distance rider, leave the high dollar platinums and such on the shelf for someone else. My NGK BP7ES have served me well without a single fouled plug in 17 years. They also are available at most of my local parts stores at about $2 a pop.

 

OK, while we are on this subject: Champions are about the hugest big steamy pile that is out there. I was convinced to stock Champions in my shop for a while (back in the early '90's) and about 1 out of every 20 that came brand new out of the box would not fire. We would have to track down which one was dead and replace it. Also the threads are not rolled like the others and love to stick badly when they are removed during the next change, even with never-seize, and especially in aluminum heads.

OK, anybody can change. Maybe they cleaned up their act. Maybe they are just dokey now. I still haven't bought any in a long time.

NGK, Autolite, Bosch, Nippondenso - all great.

And no, the standards are just fine and seem to actually last longer then the P or I plugs do in a non FI vehicle.

 

Proven Performance From NASCAR® to Formula 1™ — and Beyond

Performance Driven™ is not just a saying. It’s the testing, the evaluation, the scrutiny of everything that might get the Champion name. And we demand that whatever you see with the Champion name on it should be the best. This includes the drivers that partner with us. This successful approach has produced the last five of six NASCAR Cup Champions, the last six NHRA Top Fuel Champions and nearly 400 wins in Formula 1 — more than all other plug manufacturers combined.

(I've never run-into a bad Champion Plug ... ever. Never!)

 

I've broken more siezed Champions... 'nuff said. Of course that was the 80s and 90s but it was enough to queer their name in my book. V-8, straight 4, didn't matter, just never trusted them afterwards. Funny Rick, our experiences seem to parallel each other from either side of the fence. I wonder if there is a connection.

 

Sounds like we both have earned our Doctorates from:

"The School of Hard Knocks"