fork oil, now atf

[cycletip]

If y'all could see how different manufactures make their product you'd relate better to the problems you had back in the day.  With the much improved ignition systems spark plugs have become a thing of the past in so much as constant replacement or even fussing with them at all.  Marketing had more to do with sales and popularity than anything.  When it comes to OEM with a manufacture it often came down to country of origin or what manufacture would be willing to test with the OEM to be standard placement from the factory.  This position often set-up the replacement after market as well to some degree.  OEM testing was and still is very important to insure temperature within the cylinder head.  Different electrode metals are used today due to the high energy systems can generate and to reduce degradation over time since manufactures have extended warranties and to a greater extent complying with EPA B.S. All that said, I still keep a few extra plugs on hand.  For my RD's : )         

[Norm Keller]

Fred posted:

"I ve had a few classic bikes in my shop through the years. I have to admit that my memories of these machines are always better than the reality. Old bikes are great to look at but give me reliable, smooth, quiet, trouble free and great performance any day. Fred"

 

 

Thanks for the chuckle, Fred. I also own that shirt and enjoyed the profound nature of the post.

[Buddy Eckles]

If y'all could see how different manufactures make their product you'd relate better to the problems you had back in the day.  With the much improved ignition systems spark plugs have become a thing of the past in so much as constant replacement or even fussing with them at all.  Marketing had more to do with sales and popularity than anything.  When it comes to OEM with a manufacture it often came down to country of origin or what manufacture would be willing to test with the OEM to be standard placement from the factory.  This position often set-up the replacement after market as well to some degree.  OEM testing was and still is very important to insure temperature within the cylinder head.  Different electrode metals are used today due to the high energy systems can generate and to reduce degradation over time since manufactures have extended warranties and to a greater extent complying with EPA B.S. All that said, I still keep a few extra plugs on hand.  For my RD's : )         

[Horton Oliphant]

Heck, that function was built in on Bultaco Alpinas! The ignition was grounded through the stop light bulb so when you stepped on the rear brake you could get a pretty good shock if your boots were wet. Al Henderson A13 Iowa On 9/11/2015 12:42 AM, Mike Frey mike21b@... [DSN_KLR650] wrote:

This thread about 2-Strokes brought back memories of my first daily ride, a 1974 Kawasaki 175 F7. Despite Electronic Ignition which always made a fat blue spark, the plugs lasted only a couple hundred miles before they'd foul and the engine would stutter and blubber. The heads on most bikes back then had a 2nd hole, for either a compression release or a spare spark plug. I used mine for a 2nd plug.

Once, while riding down Main Street, the misfire started, The bike was blubbering down the street, in gear. Without thinking, I just reached down and yanked the plug boot to move it over to the spare plug. You can guess what shocking event came next!

Mike

[Buddy Eckles]

Heck, that function was built in on Bultaco Alpinas! The ignition was grounded through the stop light bulb so when you stepped on the rear brake you could get a pretty good shock if your boots were wet. Al Henderson A13 Iowa On 9/11/2015 12:42 AM, Mike Frey mike21b@... [DSN_KLR650] wrote:

[quote]   This thread about 2-Strokes brought back memories of my first daily ride, a 1974 Kawasaki 175 F7. Despite Electronic Ignition which always made a fat blue spark, the plugs lasted only a couple hundred miles before they'd foul and the engine would stutter and blubber. The heads on most bikes back then had a 2nd hole, for either a compression release or a spare spark plug. I used mine for a 2nd plug.

 

Once, while riding down Main Street, the misfire started, The bike was blubbering down the street, in gear. Without thinking, I just reached down and yanked the plug boot to move it over to the spare plug. You can guess what shocking event came next!

 

Mike

[/quote]

[Don Dodge]

Not counting an Hodaka Ace 100, my first serious enduro bike was a 250 Cooper. Loved that bike! Poor man's Maico.

Don D

[jet_doctor2002]

That was a law in Spain at the time.  The tail light had to operate in order to ride the bike.  The primary windings of the coil were grounded through the tail light.  Gotta love the series of resistors that they used to make the light brighten when you put the brake on too.  Those were the happy days of life in sunny socialist Spain......Every business was under direct control of the government.

Cheers,

Doug

[jet_doctor2002]

I have been reading through the spark plug discussion, and figured I have a few things to add.  I started using Iridium electrode spark plugs back when I was riding 50cc two strokes 20 years ago.  Iridium electrodes are an engineers dream because they are thin enough to focus the spark, yet resistant to erosion.  Because of the fine electrode, iridium plugs also are extremely resistant to fouling.  I have been able to use some weak ignitions (old Femsatronic) successfully because of this.  The concentrated spark is also more efficient at igniting the fuel charge.  This translates into more engine output and or better fuel economy.  There are many dissertations out there that prove that iridium plugs are more than snake oil such as a split fire plugs etc.  Iridium plugs are also OEM on most cars these days.  In my experience, from my weed wacker to my car, Iridium plugs mean hassle free starting(ethanol bunged up carbs excepted).  

While we are talking about fancy electrodes, it is worth noting that some coil pack engines will share a coil pack for 2 spark plugs.  The result is that one plug will have the spark jump from the center electrode to the ground electrode, and the other will jump from the ground electrode to the center electrode.  Looking at a set of worn plugs, you will see heavy erosion on the ground electrode of these plugs.  This is where double platinum spark plugs are used.  There needs to be a resistant surface on both the ground and center electrode.  Double platinum plugs are not necessary in a single cylinder engine.   

I prefer the NGK  DPR8EIX-9 in my KLR.  I buy them in a box of 4 for around $30.  When I put the 685 kit in my KLR, I had a problem with the oil scraper ring spring.  I bought the parts directly from Schnitz, and they were less than helpful at correcting the problem.   Frustrated, I installed the spring anyway.  At about the 4K mile mark of the Great Divide Ride, my KLR started burning oil.  On the final ride home from NM to GA, the bike was using a half qt of 50w every 100 miles.  When I tore the engine down, I could not believe that the plug was still firing.  There was just a hole in the ash from the spark.  My KLR never failed to start, which with that much oil going through the engine was a miracle to me.   

When I do my valve adjustment, or when I am prepping for a big trip, I install a new plug.  For a $7 dollar part, it is not worth chancing a problem.  Leaving a spark plug in too long is also an invitation to remove the threads with the plug.  Small problems can snow ball into all sorts of unintended consequences.  Considering the hassle of removing the side covers, seat, tank, along with any obstructing luggage/farkles, it is cheap insurance to replace the spark plug in the comfort of my garage.

Just my own .02. YMMV.

Cheers, 

Doug