iridium spark plugs anyone?

[DimitriT]

I get a little oil fouling on the 550's intake side on my #1 cylinder.
Doesn't actually foul the plug but I'm wondering if the bike will
run better with an iridium plug.

I probably need to replace the valve seal.

BTW, has anyone done their valve seals with the head on?

[posplayr]

You will get some old timer negative comments about them, but my experience is they work well. Factory Pro also reports they get consistently better results. This is a cheap upgrade especially for a tired motor is fouling presents itself.

if there is any doubt, these guys know their $hit

http://www.factorypro.com/products/Denso%20prod.html

Factory Pro designs and produces the best performing, highest power, easiest to tune carb kits around and makes the EC997 dynos that can see the difference in engine smoothness.........

So.... why wouldn't we rely on the zootiest spark plugs around? Plugs that require up to 5000 LESS volts to fire than even platinum electrode plugs!
Our EC997 dynos are the only dynos that you can cost effectively buy that will actually display "engine smoothness" - We call it the FLUX factor - It's how smooth the engine is - as in 2nd gear, low rpm cruise through town -
The Denso Iridiums, time after time, will improve fuel burn consistency, delivering less handlebar buzz (when tuned properly) -

If you have the right compressor you can do the valve springs on the head. Typically you will bed to use compressed air to hold the valve up while doing it though.

This is a quality tool and works well when the head is mounted to something. A C clamp style works better for a loose head.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Universal-Overhead-Camshaft-Valve-Spring-Compressor_W0QQitemZ140316524930QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Automotive_Tools?hash=item140316524930&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Pos

[Billy Ricks]

I've heard of people using rope on top of the pistons to keep the valves from dropping too.

As for the iridium plugs our 350Z specs them. I need to run valve clearances on it, that should be fun.

[Bribird]

I am running the denso iridium plugs on my 650 and they seem to work great. No problems what so ever.

[focus frenzy]

Iridium plugs make a differance, how much depends on many factors but at the least they provide better faster start up as the tiny sharp electrode takes much less power to jump a spark.

with iridium plugs you get a fatter hotter spark and that helps reduce fouling.

[almarconi]

I installed them in my bike and they seemed to run fine. I made the mistake of trying to set the gap on them and broke the tip of the electrode off. The plug was trashed and they seem to only sell them in quantities of 4. Went bank to using the standard NGK plugs.

When I get some spare cash I want to try a set of the E3 plugs. Supposed to be very good plugs, better power and fuel economy.

[jtmcculloch]

They are expensive but last forever. My Kawasaki ZR1100 has two per cylinder, 8 total. After 32,000 miles on the original plugs they still look and run great.

[simon kuether]

I put a set in my 'S and noticed straight away that she spins up quicker and seems to run a bit "crisper".I talked to the NGK rep at the MOTO GP last year and he told me that Toyota are the Australian distributor so buying from them is cheaper.He was right , saved nearly $10 a plug.Might be worth a try over your way.I reckon they're a good thing.Cheers,Simon.

[Clone]

A slightly cheaper option to the pricey Iridiums would be the Champion "powersport" plug, it is a fine electrode plug and so far I find them to be pretty good. But I don't have a problem with plugs fouling.

[Mysuzyq]

I got a set of new Denso Iridium plugs off Craigslist, but haven't installed them yet. Almarconi, single plugs are often offered on ebay. The Denso site warns against improperly attempting to gap the plugs, saying they are supplied pre-gapped for most applications.
Tony.

[almarconi]

single plugs are often offered on ebay

Thanks for the tip..I'll check it out.

[Old Colt]

When I was racing my GS550 in the early 80s I had found the Champion Gold Paladium sparkplug. Previously I had been running Nippon Denso U groove in all my vehicles. But on my racebike the sparkplugs would foul on cold starts. When I changed to the N-2G Champions the bike started sweet hot or cold and just ran better. Now moving forward till 2002 I was a bit upset when I found I had broke off one of the outer plugs when the bike was in storage and not finding a good alternative till the Iridium plugs came along. How nice it is to have a plug with a low firing voltage that clears well in engines that are prone to loading up and will live in high output engines that other fine wire plugs failed in.
So guess what plugs are in all me vehicles now?

[skidMarkNZ]

So hang on my bike is a bastard to start, takes forever to get off the choke....

will these plugs help it warm up a bit quicker... carbs are all sparkling clean etc....

she starts on 2 cylinders.... then kicks in the 3rd.... then the 4th....purrs well once running... get a high pitch pop out of the exhaust at idle once warmed up though....

like somebody tapped the header with a spoon.

[ALB80-850]

I've hard of this type of pulg. I just put in a new set of NGK's for abut $11.00. How much do these plugs cost?

Andy

[Commodus]

I get a little oil fouling on the 550's intake side on my #1 cylinder.
Doesn't actually foul the plug but I'm wondering if the bike will
run better with an iridium plug.

I probably need to replace the valve seal.

BTW, has anyone done their valve seals with the head on?

A better plug may work, but consider simply going to a hotter plug.