What are my plugs saying?

Did a plug chop after doing a valve clearance spec adjustment. What exactly are they telling me? Plugs aren't new, They probably have 500 miles on them over the course of 3 years. so they might not be the best to read. But its a start for now? New plugs in the next few weeks!


Plug 1:


Plug 2:


Plug 3:



plug 4:



Plug four was carbon fouled before the run. I leaned out the pilot screw on the 4th carb to clear up the carbon. the picture is the end result. I put about 5 miles on the plugs, took it to 60mph at 5k rpms, killed the power and clutch coasted to a stop and this is what they looked like.

 

You''re running on the edge of too Lean.
Mine look like that sometimes.
I have found them greenish-yellow.
(High-speed glazing)

No. 2 looks way too Lean.

1, 3, & 4 are "On the Lean-side" and should be brought-out about the width of a Dime.

 

Edit: Stupid question figured it out.


I brought 1, 3 and 4 out a dimes width. 1, 3, and 4 were all the same turn out distance from bottomed out. Number 2 was a 3 dimes widths too tight, I aligned the 2nd pilot screw to match that of 1, 3, and 4 as you said 2 was too lean. It's getting dark and I can't do another plug chop tonight. But i will post my results when I get a chance to take her out next.

 

I've turned up the volume all the way on my computer and I still can't hear them saying anything! I've got to get a new battery for my hearing aide I guess!!!

 

Since the last chop I got 4 new plugs, did the adjustments and now All the plugs are reading a light gray color! I'm cutting the power at about 5k in 4th crusing speeds, not heavy acceleration.

I pulled over twice to check the plugs, both times reading grey, backed out the pilot screw the width of a dime each time and I'm still seeing gray on all 4 plugs. Can anyone post a pic of a healthy plug? All mine seem to be way to lean. Don't wanna blow my baby up!

 

These are what the ones I pulled when I last changed Plugs.

I like 1, 2, & 3.

The 4-Hole got tweaked about a half a Dime IN.

 

Looks like I need to keep backing them out. Mine aren't even close to that.

 

I hear them saying, "Help! Help! put me back in and I wan to to go ride!

Chris.

 

I'm starting to get frustrated now. I've backed out nearly 1/3 of a turn and I'm seeing no noticeable color change. They are all a light gray still. I expected to see some sort of change with how much I've backed them out. These new plugs are weirding me out. Would opening the gap to the higher end of spec do anything?

 

Hey Rick, are the insulators in your plugs that same tan color all the way through or are they darker past the threads?

 

Brown Paper Bag colored.
A light tan.
But, the bike is "Using Oil".
Her spot in the garage is perfectly clean.

 

How much ethanol they putting in the gas in PA ?

 

Remember you're tweaking the IDLE mixtures. Then doing plug chops when you're running on the mains.

That's why you're not seeing a major difference with the tweaking.

 

The Sticker above the Regular Gas selection button at most Pumps in MA says "Up to 10-Percent"

 

This... plus I run 93 octane in the bike. Its hard to find pure dino fuel. Its a good 30 min trip

 

I run Shell Premium.
I pay the vig.

I doubt I could be in a state of Fine Tuning any better than she's running at the moment.

I don't feel like I'm wasting the money.
But, I have learned to adjust to the times.

Back in '75, ... Sunoco "Dial-a-Grade" 260 was 79-Cents a Gallon.
Couldn't squeeze 3-Bucks in if you rolled-in on fumes.

Last time I gassed-up, ...
$3.99 9/10ths.