Spark Plug Issues

[1971_AMC_GUY]

Okay so I need input for recommended plugs. I replaced my plugs with the NGK plugs that it had in it. Bike run for a few and died. Pulled the plugs and almost no spark. Pulled one of the plugs off of an old Yamaha and tried it, beautiful spark. What would you guys recommend as far as a good plug? I am not happy with NGK DPR8EA- 9.

[adidasguy]

Sounds like you got a bad set of plugs.
The Powermadd's are nice and not too expensive. They are great for cold weather starting.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OP9YTC/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When weather is a little warmer, my favorite is Brisk but at $17 each you might not want to go that route.

[1971_AMC_GUY]

well cold weather starting really isnt an issue here. unless you consider 40s or 50s cold. I must have gotten a bad set. are nipps worth the money?

[adidasguy]

Once I had new plugs put in. In a couple weeks the bike started to run bad. One cylinder cut in and out. After some work, I found it was a defective plug. So it is possible you got bad plugs.

Iridiums are nice.
Brisk really have nice power and I love them except when it gets really cold (really low 40's and below).

Everyone has opinions on plugs. Some say there is no difference. I have found there is a difference.
The Pulstar plugs make my GS's run like crap. A premium plug that is worse than stock.

I suggest the Powermadd or Brisk plugs. Nortwestrider had Brisk plugs in Dora that went to the arctic circle and back. Over 6000 miles.

[Donnie]

The right plug for the right condition makes all the difference in the world, right Adidas? 

[adidasguy]

Absolutely. Also a good battery.
Fortunately here we have the luxury of lots of GS500's and a wide assortment of plugs for testing.

Two other things that make a big difference:
1. Proper valve clearances (with exhausts on the loose side like everyone here suggests)
2. Clean carbs! Especially the pilots and the choke ("starter system" as the Suzuki manual calls it)

[Donnie]

Adidas, speaking of batteries. What brand and type have you had the best luck with?

[adidasguy]

Adidas, speaking of batteries. What brand and type have you had the best luck with?

We use Shorai batteries here. Any LiFe battery is a little sensitive to cold (below 40* F) so sometimes need a momentary attempt to start then wait 20 seconds for the battery to warm up. If you think you drained one, wait 10 minutes then go again. They have great recovery and can be cycled deeper than other batteries. They are $140 or so.

Others have suggested good sealed batteries.

Avoid anything you have to add acid into and avoid unknown brands or el-cheap-o's just to save $10. A battery is extremely important (unless you are skilled at push starting or at the top of a hill).

There are lots of good choices for batteries. We never have use a battery tender for the Shorai's. They hold a charge for up to a year.

We do have a Ballistic balanced charger for LiFe batteries (balances the 4 cells in the battery) and occasionally use it when we are working on (or building) bikes, starting them a lot, but not running them long enough to keep the battery charged.

Keep in mind: "If you need a battery tender you need a new battery"

However, if it is extremely cold, a tender will keep any battery warm and any battery when warm will have more power. Then the start-wait-start-wait-wait-wait-start-vroooommmm  has always worked for us when it is near freezing.

[Donnie]

Thnx Adidas, as always the go to guy for good advice. For the last 4 years I have refurbished the same cell type battery from Lowe's for under $40.00 each spring in my 1000 by draining the acid and putting in a solution of baking soda and water and placing on a trickle charge for about 1/2 hr. then draining it and  putting in new acid. Needless to say the acid is really cheap and I have never had any let downs. But this build of my gas saver gs 500 will be running a few extras and I have doubt that it will be as reliable. Time to come into the new age of batteries! Old school guy getting new tech. Never to old to learn!   

[adidasguy]

I believe you just made my case.....

....each spring in my 1000 by draining the acid and putting in a solution of baking soda and water and placing on a trickle charge for about 1/2 hr. then draining it and  putting in new acid.....

I'd rather just jump on and ride and not have to think about or ever do all that battery maintenance every year. After a couple years, your time and costs have exceeded the price of a better battery.
There is new tech but old ways are not always bad. I prefer real pipe  organs over electronic. Silent movies are fun. Old black & white Twilight Zone is better than anything new.....
So buy a new battery and watch old silent movies with some real popcorn!

I just remember that SUZI is entering her 3rd year with her Shorai and that battery was on my shelf for 9 months (I forgot about it) until I found it when her OEM battery died after 14 months. I just popped it in and never even thought about charging it after it sat unopened in the box for 9 months. Suzi started right up.

[Donnie]

Our appreciation for the tried and true things from the old School might be telling our age but like they say about wine,,, So here's to the wrinkles and the grey in our wiskers...  Adidas!

[radodrill]

There is new tech but old ways are not always bad. I prefer real pipe  organs over electronic.

Amen to that.  I recently heard and toured the largest operational pipe organ (Wanamaker grand court) and have heard/seen quite a few organs in Europe.  Bach's Toccata & Fuge in D-minor just doesn't sound right on an electronic.