Hey everybody!
I have no clue about anything sparkplug related and i need your help. I bought a GS500 a few months ago and i have been learning maintenance and mechanic skills as I go. Now it it time for me to re-jet the carbs and i figure i will change the plugs while i am at it. The ones on it now are starting to rust a bit.
The bike after the jetting this weekend:
1990 GS500
Full Yosh system
K&N Lunchbox filter
Buddhas appropriate Jets
17xxx miles
Which Sparkplugs should I buy and use? I hear this and that about iridium and stuff but i really need a good schooling on it...
My price range is about 30$ shipped.
Thanks for all your help guys and gals!
Sheepo
Normal Spark Plugs
Spark plugs will periodically need to be gapped, which ensures that they are creating the hottest spark possible and therefore burning all the fuel in the cylinder. Spark plugs are also very good indicators for a number of problems that can occur with combustion. If read properly spark plugs can show if you are burning oil, running too rich or too lean of a fuel mixture, and even if your engine is igniting the fuel before the spark plug discharges. This page has a number of pictures which can help you diagnose engine problems by the appearance of the plugs.
Iridium Spark Plugs
Iridium plugs, made by NGK, offer benefits over ordinary spark plugs but also require special care. Iridium plugs create a hotter spark and last longer than normal spark plugs, so once installed you probably won't ever have to replace them. They should not require maintenance but will suffer from the same problems as normal plugs if the engine's combustion isn't tuned. Some users recommend revving the engine above 8000 periodically to burn any non combusted fuel off of the plugs. This is recommended particularly if your bike frequently runs with the choke on.
http://www.dansmc.com/sparkplugs1.htm (http://www.dansmc.com/sparkplugs1.htm)
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/apps/motorcycles/make4.asp?id=3013&type=ir (http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/apps/motorcycles/make4.asp?id=3013&type=ir)
From the wiki...
Thanks for the info. I was wondering about nkg's, too. Maybe I'll have those put in when Suzi gets her 4k mile tuneup hopefully next week. (No, I won't ride her. Centuryghost will take her to the dealer for me.)
Cool man thanks for the info. Any particular performance gain from Iridium? or just longevity? As of now im considering the conventional.
Quote from: Sheepo5669 on January 20, 2011, 07:31:31 PM
...Any particular performance gain from Iridium? or just longevity?...
I doubt it would provide any performance gains you would notice through seat of the pants testing...though no doubt some forum member will be along shortly to claim they add 5 additional horsepower or something... :icon_rolleyes:
Longevity would likely be the best reason to buy them. If it were me I would only spend more money on iridium spark plus if I planned to keep the bike for a long time. The normal plugs I bought two years ago seem to be holding up fine.
cool thanks a lot. Normal plugs it is.