When I'm doing a plug chop, am I supposed to take the plugs out while the bike is hot or do I wait a while?
Plug chop??????
It's best to remove the plugs while the bike is cold,reduces the rick of galling the threads.
I use just a light drop of anti seize when I put them back in.
I'm sorry.
What I mean is kill the engine at a certain speed and coast to a stop, then remove the plug to check the color.
It gives you an idea of how lean/rich you are at a particular throttle setting.
I've read a lot of posts where people mention that they did a plug chop to help with jetting, but I've never seen the process described.
I don't think it matters but it would be easier to take 'em out when engine is cool - you will not burn your hands ;) but you propably don't want to wait like an hour or so to let the engine cool off...
just use caution when you are taking them out and especially when you are putting them back in - not to damage the threads.
cheers
KaMeL
Quote from: facepants on November 24, 2007, 08:18:17 PMWhen I'm doing a plug chop, am I supposed to take the plugs out while the bike is hot or do I wait a while?
Anything stuck to the plug (soot or whatever) shouldn't change as the engine cools. I would pull them as soon as possible just to save time, but yes ... you certainly need to make sure your "procedure" allows for handling hot parts.
BTW, I keep an 18mm combination wrench in my tank bag. It's often easier than digging out the stock toolkit to get to the spark plug tool. I also use it (in combination with a rag or folded-up paper towel) to loosen the oil filler cap when the engine is hot.
Ahh, I see now.
Unless you want to be there all day, take them out hot. Nothing wrong with that, I do it all the time on airplane engines. Be careful when you re-torque the plugs though. I also suggest a little anti-seize as ben2go said.
To do this correctly, as I've been told:
1) Run the bike at the RPM you want to check while riding down the road. Obviously mid-range and full throttle are most important. Ride for several miles on a flat, empty country road holding your speed absolutely steady.
2) Pull in the clutch and hit the kill switch at the same time before the engine speed changes. Be careful that you don't lock up the rear wheel. ;)
3) Remove and inspect the plugs
4) Reinstall, tweak the carbs if you wish and repeat.
Can't say I've done it (too laaaazy), but the local Suzi mechanic swears by the technique.