Took the GS425 out for about a 5 mile ride. Pulled the plugs and this is what they look like. I think I'm a little running lean which is ok but what confuses me is why the center electrode is either fouled or dark. Would hotter plugs help?

Actually I think I runnig rich is from this plug chart...

Best advice I can give is get new plugs and try a plug chop. Just pulling out the old ones won't really tell you too much.

Do you know what jets are in the carbs now? Any changes to the intake, valves done recently and within spec, etc?

Lean?    Doesn't look like lean to me.

Black, sooty looking, dry, indicates too rich....like running with choke on, or checking plugs right after warm up with choke on.....

They are not 'wet' , are they??

Yes the outside of the ground electrode looks light color..but its the black inside that concerns me...too rich...

I'm not sure that 5 miles is long enough ride to get good color on plugs.......I mean its like 5 minutes to warm up with choke on...making black on plugs, than only 5 or ten minutes running without choke...not enough time to get lighter color due to correct mixture once choke is off..

Maybe you need to run for an hour or more then check plugs...

Cookie

They are not wet. I had to start it with choke on for about 5 minutes. Then took it for a ride and then left her idle for about 10 minutes.

I'll turn in/adjust the air/mixture screw to see if I can lean it out a little.

Quote from: Big Rich on October 21, 2011, 09:04:38 PM
Best advice I can give is get new plugs and try a plug chop. Just pulling out the old ones won't really tell you too much.

Do you know what jets are in the carbs now? Any changes to the intake, valves done recently and within spec, etc?

It has pods and straight pipes and those were new plugs.

I haven't rejetted yet since I only have a few more weeks of riding left and was hoping to get by with minor adjustments until rejet.

What is plug chopping?

Google it for a much better explanation than I can type out on my phone, but basically it's how you check to see if each jet is the correct size.

Quote from: Big Rich on October 22, 2011, 06:17:17 PM
Google it for a much better explanation than I can type out on my phone, but basically it's how you check to see if each jet is the correct size.

Just googled it. That's cool and the first time I've heard of tha method. Will give it a try when she's all assemble. Thanks.