Spark Plug Evidence

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

Been giving "Black Betty" here 110 000 km service over the last week. Apart from having no oil to use in the gearbox and CARC (note to self, don't put empty containers back into stock), i had everything I needed. Reused the rocket cover gasket for the 6th(?) time, which is awesome (use the thicker ones from the 1100 series, and not the 1200 ones which are thin, prone to split and piss on your foot while riding).

Put in some of Penrite's finest 10W60 into the bodily fluids reservoir, after doing some other bits and pieces that needed doing (dropped screw in the V; neutral light switch; side stand switch, rocker adjustments) and all looks good. Started most excellently and settled into a solid idle at 1150 rpm.

In the process, I removed 3 spark plugs (inner R/H side had been cross threaded once before and this will need some attention at some point in the near future - possibly with a top end refresh); I replaced the three I removed. here's a picture of what they looked like:

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Opinions as to their running condition? L/H on the bottom, R/H on top.

Don't worry about the rusty body, this always happens to the inner plugs.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

End-on pics please! Need to see air-fuel ring.

Thusly:

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Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

Later Mark.

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

Updated photos:

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R/H on the left; L/H on the right

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

Weird. Electrodes look lean. Hard to tell from the pic. Are they white, or light grey? There's no air-fuel ring, only carbon, suggesting too rich. How much kilometrege?

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Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

I have been thinking too rich, too, hence the questions. I think they are white rather than grey. I now have 110,000 km on the old girl.

My exhaust shows evidence of too rich, judging by the black deposits. However the last 2,000 km have returned (from the dash) 4.5 l/100 km, so consumption is pretty good and no horses have been spared in achieving this.

Damned if I know...

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10711 Join date : 2013-05-29 Age : 67

Soot could be oil burning. The high mileage Sport 12 we went through had rooted rings and buggered guides. Might be time for a top end freshen up.

Pete

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

Aye, Pete. I actually think it's running lean. This electrodes don't look happy.

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GRiSO Capo Posts : 10711 Join date : 2013-05-29 Age : 67

Tony, if you decide to hop into it I can order parts and probably have them here sooner and cheaper than waiting for the clowns at Peter Stevens to get them in.

My guess is that the rings will need replacing and the guides will need K-Lining. The valves themselves will probably go round again. A new cam chain probably wouldn't go amiss.

Pete

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

Sounds expensive Pete. Need the inner R/H plug thread recreated as well. Got a ballpark number? I might have to start saving... Like yourself, cash flow is woeful at the moment

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10711 Join date : 2013-05-29 Age : 67

Lemme do a bit of pricing up. You might be surprised.

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

Always happy to be surprised, Pete. Especially pleasantly!

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10711 Join date : 2013-05-29 Age : 67

I'm assuming that you'd be doing the work? Or at least most of it?

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

Happy to, it's what I do normally...

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

Come to think of it, I bought some bits from the old importers and I think I managed to get one base gasket (only one available). Would need head gaskets, another base gasket, rings and valve guide bits, I have a load of rocker cover gaskets which will last me many years, as the ones in it are for the 1100 and can be reused many times (don't know if I am up to 5 or 6 times - the 1200 ones are particularly shyte).

I should check and see what I have in stock first...

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

After adjusting the map for some increased richness, I must say I am happy with the results. I will do a plug pull either today or tomorrow to compare evidences.

The nasty bits of the map are no longer there, and she still "valve bounces" at red line. All good in the 'hood.

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

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Left on the left; Right on the right. Just over 300 km since looking pristine.

Comments?

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

Better. A bee's dick more fuel I reckon.

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Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

I'll go get a bee's dick from the back yard - surely there's one hanging around....

Stay tuned.

(1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, More?)

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

Baby steps from here. 1%.

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Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

I am now officially a 1%er - well my bike will be when I install the updated map. Forecast is for wet, wet, wet this week, though Wednesday looks to be a chance. Evidence will ensue...

Thanks for your guidance Mark.

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

Wow, chalk and cheese, I say. Magnificent!

Nary a pop, good all round. Me happy. Mark, I'll forward you the offending map shortly. Meanwhile, I'll take some piccies of the electron discharge devices after another 200 or more km.

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

And now...
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Thoughts Mark, other gurus...

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

Ends are in shadow. Can you retake in more light, please?

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Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 69

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More betterer? This is with around 250 km

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