What do you guys thing of this plug burn?

maverickma · 01:40 PM

Do you guys think its a bit too lean or about right? I think it could use a bit more fuel. Before I invest in something to enrichen the fuel figured I'd get the official pelican opinion. Thanks! Doug

nrpetersen · 06-03-2015, 01:42 PM

My opinion is it is running about right. Do you have surge?

maverickma · 06-03-2015, 01:44 PM

Nope, not enough surging to bother me at least.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

i'd like to see a tad more brown and a little less speckling.
can you give it an italian tune-up and then do a plug check?

brentw1 · brentw1's Garage

pretty normal with the standard tune which is lean
the lower plugs on a 4 spark are normally darker.

maverickma · 06-03-2015, 05:22 PM

Bradz, dare I ask what an Italian tune up is?

wiggledbits · wiggledbits's Garage

I had to look it up.
Italian tuneup - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RIQUE · RIQUE's Garage

They look too lean. Mine have a tad of brown.

maverickma · 06-03-2015, 05:41 PM

Yeah I would think there should be some tan on that porcelain. So there is room for me to richen up the fueling just a bit right?

RIQUE · RIQUE's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverickma

Yeah I would think there should be some tan on that porcelain. So there is room for me to richen up the fueling just a bit right?

Certainly, you will surely get some power out of doing so.

throttlemeister · throttlemeister's Garage

Keep in mind that there isn't a whole lot of tanning going to be happening with the current lead free fuels, not like in the past, making it a lot harder to judge fueling based on plugs. Not that it was the best or most reliable method in the past, but it was easier to get in the ballpark. Its like throwing a stick at a dart board from 50ft away.

That said, you're not going to break anything by going richer.

maverickma · 06-04-2015, 03:44 AM

Thanks Throttle. The plugs on my other rides are a just a tad more brown and they fuel near perfect. The white stuff threw me off and I could not find much info on it. I'm ordering the AF XIED today. Will take baby steps when richening the mixture. Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it. Doug

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by throttlemeister

Keep in mind that there isn't a whole lot of tanning going to be happening with the current lead free fuels, not like in the past, making it a lot harder to judge fueling based on plugs. Not that it was the best or most reliable method in the past, but it was easier to get in the ballpark. Its like throwing a stick at a dart board from 50ft away.

That said, you're not going to break anything by going richer.

This ...

I wouldn't go chasing your tail based on old school eyeball tech.

What is the objective here?

maverickma · 06-04-2015, 04:51 AM

Primarily to make sure I'm not burning too lean which can lead to problems. Secondarily, the hope is to smooth out the transition from closed to open loop and vice versa. It's a tad abrupt, but I can live with that condition if need be. Would also be nice to get rid of the occasional exhaust pop when the motor is hot. Yes the bike's TBs have been balanced and no that is not operator error (close throttle quickly).....and yes I'm aware of massive engine braking since I mostly ride twins and thumpers. Somehow an inline 3 snuck into my garage.

mreid · 06-04-2015, 04:58 AM

Interesting comments without knowing how many miles are on the plug or how they were put on it (highway, putting around town, etc.). Frankly, with today's fuels and seasonal riding, there are several potential assessments, but overall it looks fine to me.

maverickma · 05:07 AM

Approximately 3k miles, sport riding twisty farm/mountain roads (but not high RPM), speeds average 40mph. The mileage is an estimate. I put 2k miles on it since July of last year when I purchased it and the bike recently had a 12k mile service before that.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiggledbits

I had to look it up.
Italian tuneup - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

sorry, shoulda 'splained myself. italian tune up is basically revving the crap out of it for about a 20 minute ride to get it hot enough to blow all the built-up carbon out of it.

also shoulda asked mav some questions, like fuel type, what part of the country he gets it, etc.

but based on his "(but not high rpm)" comment, i'd start with the italian approach.
and i'd still like to see at least a bit of a tan on the plug.

ps: if you get an italian tune-up by a guy wearing bmw overalls, it costs a lot more.
my local shop calls it a "check ride".
they always check to see if the needle on the tach will repeatedly move smoothly through it's entire available arc.

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

LOL you don't have to go to Wikipedia to figure out Italian Tuneup! It was the topic of the week last week!

Italian Tuneup

Read the board and stay informed...

maverickma · 08:03 AM

I ordered the AF XIED this morning. I'll pull the plugs after a few thousand miles to see what it does to the burn.

wiggledbits · wiggledbits's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckcarr

LOL you don't have to go to Wikipedia to figure out Italian Tuneup! It was the topic of the week last week!

Italian Tuneup

Read the board and stay informed...

I only read some of this mostly fluff.