Trying to find an obscure Champion spark plug.

[patz]

C53, for use in a 2 stroke single cylinder motorcycle engine. The Champ web site says all the Pep Boys shops carry it. No other chain stores listed. The Champ site lists an internal 692 number for the plug.

The pdf manual calls for the same plug with no alternative. The discussion forum (a tiny version of Pelican) that has info on the motor, takes an admin to approve my membership and that can take a few days. Yeah, I can wait but prefer to get the matter settled. I don't need it now but plugs can wear quick on a high performance engine like this.

Pep Boys says there is no listing for it and getting them to research it or call the rep is like pulling teeth. I spoke with the manager and he said he would look into it but I get the feeling he was just trying to get me off the phone.

eBay has 1 or 2 European listings for 12 USD plus cross the pond shipping. Cross references for other manufacturers are just as obscure. Even when I can get a pic they all have the wrong reach or have a flat bottom like for 2 stroke outboard motors.

I will attempt a few vintage MC shops that were closed on Sunday and cross my fingers on Champ or the manager coming thru.

I will call Champ on the 800 number on Monday but was wondering if anyone has any ideas.

[fanaudical]

What's the motor?

Did you try the NGK site for a cross-reference?

[patz]

Moto Morini. and yes, the NGKs gotta WTF comment on every number. Here's the link to the cross references.

Champion C53 - Alternative spark plugs

[patz]

Welp, Champion was worthless.

[chris_seven]

I used to run a 1600 HF Fulvia with Champion R61 plugs.

The car was an incredibly fussy starter and I always carried at least 2 spare sets of plugs.

We eventually fitted NGK equivalents and 90% of the problems just went away.

[9146GUY]

How many do you want. I have 16 of them, 5.00 ea. + ship
PM for details

[patz]

Money sent via PayPal, thanks. Would love to hear how you had those plugs sitting on the shelf. They don't seem to be a wildly popular item. But glad you had them.

I never had a harder time trying to find what I thought was an easy part to procure from a large manufacturer. Champ had them in the warehouse but no retailer was willing to order them even with prepayment.

Once again Pelican comes thru!

My application is a Moto Morini, 2 stroke 50cc race motor.

[fbarrett]

Just had a similar problem finding the right NGKs for a Mazda rotary engine. None of the five nearby "auto parts stores" had them, but one could get them in four or five days. Got on Amazon and found them immediately, at a better price, too.

[patz]

Well, good for you. My search was as thorough as yours but much more so. The plug was "in" the Champion warehouse but Champion would not sell it to me. Retailers didn't even have it their books and unwilling to call Champion to order them. eBay, Amazon and every source found no listings or equivalent cross references to other manufacturers. There were new old stock listings but in Europe.

No one seems to want to go out on a limb to help a customer anymore. Very frustrating. I'm just glad 914/6 guy was able to help out sell some from his stash.