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Why does this plug look like this?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
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I thought I do something nice for my "81 GS750L, so i bought it new NGK plugs.

The plug on the left is how all the ones I took out looked, the one on the right how all the new ones looked after about 15 miles of general riding...

What the heck is that white scale on the tang? The bike was (is) running well, I only replaced the plugs because that was about the only thing I didn't replace after I brought this bike back from the dead earlier this summer.

Thoughts?

Mike
 
Could be additives in the gas. Nothing to worry about I'd say.
 
Nessism said:
Could be additives in the gas. Nothing to worry about I'd say.
Click to expand...

The tanks has fresh gas with a fair amount of Seafoam in it... I guess it takes a little while to get some color on the plugs.

Thanks for the response,

Mike
 
hikermikem said:
The tanks has fresh gas with a fair amount of Seafoam in it... I guess it takes a little while to get some color on the plugs.

Thanks for the response,

Mike
Click to expand...

The seafoam my cause that effect. I have never used it, but have read that it can cause unusual running after long periods of a bike sitting.

Your porcelains are a little whiter than I would like. How hot does the engine run? It is certainly running very clean. If you don't have any heating /pinging issues, ride it.

Re-do the plug read once you have a fresh tank, without seafoam.
 
Thanks 49er,

I didn't touch any anything, you can see the "old" plug looks like it should with the correct (I think :o) color.

Bike seems to runs very well, not overly hot IMHO.

I'll check 'em again after some more miles.
 
hikermikem said:
...you can see the "old" plug looks like it should with the correct (I think :o) color.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't be bragging about that old plug. :oops:

Here are a couple of plugs that look more like what you should be seeing. Even these are just a tad on the lean side.

IMG_7651.jpg


One of them was one that CafeKid took out of his 1100G with about 2000 miles on it. The other came out of my wife's 850 with about 20,000 miles on it. Which is which? :-k

.
 
almarconi said:
TCK's is the plug on the right, the other one is from your wife's bike..that would be my guess.
Click to expand...

The one on the left is running a little hot. The right hand plug hasn't done many miles and is also running cleaner.

As a side issue, my present cage's plug life specs show a life expectancy of 120,000 kms. Now that's impressive.
 
Last edited:
The one on the left is running a little hot. The right hand plug hasn't done many miles and is also running cleaner.
Click to expand...

So then....whats the answer? Look at the worn electrode on the left hand plug, that's why I think its the one from the 850.
 
49er said:
The one on the left is running a little hot. The right hand plug hasn't done many miles and is also running cleaner.

As a side issue, my present cage's plug life specs show a life expectancy of 120,000 kms. Now that's impressive.
Click to expand...

These cheap NGK's are great plugs but not as durable as the new OE type plugs that routinely run 50k+ miles. I haven't priced the OE plugs but expect that they cost significantly more than $2.:p
 
These cheap NGK's are great plugs but not as durable as the new OE type plugs that routinely run 50k+ miles. I haven't priced the OE plugs but expect that they cost significantly more than $2.
Click to expand...

I thought NGK plugs are OEM plugs for the suzuki. That's the brand specified in the repair manual.
 
Nessism said:
These cheap NGK's are great plugs but not as durable as the new OE type plugs that routinely run 50k+ miles. I haven't priced the OE plugs but expect that they cost significantly more than $2.:p
Click to expand...

I get my plugs from my son who works for an auto store and get them for 5.75 for 4 :D
 
I think I've read here from some members that the NGK Iridium plugs will run for quite some mileage. Probably worth a search. They're definitely more than $2/plug though!

Unlike many cars today, at least replacing the plugs on a GS is not major surgery! With some of the contortions required to reach the things, it can cost $100s to have shops change your plugs (or cost you several hours). It's no wonder they spec 'em to run 100k+ miles.
 
Steve said:
I wouldn't be bragging about that old plug. :oops:

Here are a couple of plugs that look more like what you should be seeing. Even these are just a tad on the lean side.

IMG_7651.jpg


One of them was one that CafeKid took out of his 1100G with about 2000 miles on it. The other came out of my wife's 850 with about 20,000 miles on it. Which is which? :-k

.
Click to expand...

I agree here. I think the new plug looks far healthier than the old.

If the 850 is stock, the lighter plug came from it.
 
almarconi said:
So then....whats the answer? Look at the worn electrode on the left hand plug, that's why I think its the one from the 850.
Click to expand...

My assessment also. I thought I would be overstating the obvious so i didn't elaborate, but here goes.

Yes both electrodes on the left plug are showing signs of wear consistent with the stated 20,000 miles life span. The threads on this plug also show heat signs that suggest the engine runs hotter than the one on the right. By general appearances, they both look to be the same heat range plugs.

Are they both running the same grade of fuel?? Probably not the same CR. I'm picking the one on the right is higher than stock CR!!!

Nothing like sticking ones neck out, eh?
 
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OK, the left plug is from the 850 and has about 20,000 miles on it. Admittedly, it's not perfect, but it's not bad, considering the miles on it.

The plug on the right came out of TCK's 1100G. I asked him why he was changing the plugs, he said "they've been in there over 2,000 miles, so it's time to change them."

I told him that I would accept all of his old plugs to use as replacements for all the 850s that we have here now. :D

.
 
Steve said:
OK, the left plug is from the 850 and has about 20,000 miles on it. Admittedly, it's not perfect, but it's not bad, considering the miles on it.

The plug on the right came out of TCK's 1100G. I asked him why he was changing the plugs, he said "they've been in there over 2,000 miles, so it's time to change them."

I told him that I would accept all of his old plugs to use as replacements for all the 850s that we have here now. :D

.
Click to expand...
Not quite right. I said theve been in there over FIVE thousand miles that *I* have owned it, and i wasnt sure how long before that they'd been in there. But yeah, i change them way more frequently than most people. Oil too... BTW the one on the left is your wifes, the one on the right was mine... Oh damn i see you already told everyone... But yeah, if mine had that ashy what not on the end of the electrode there i would have the carbs torn apart...LOL
 
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Steve said:
OK, the left plug is from the 850 and has about 20,000 miles on it. Admittedly, it's not perfect, but it's not bad, considering the miles on it.

The plug on the right came out of TCK's 1100G. I asked him why he was changing the plugs, he said "they've been in there over 2,000 miles, so it's time to change them."

I told him that I would accept all of his old plugs to use as replacements for all the 850s that we have here now. :D

.
Click to expand...

Keep in good with TCK and you'll never have to buy new plugs again. ;)

I'm sure you don't need that many replacements for those exquisitely tuned 850's!!! If you keep their number down to 4, you should just about keep up with his discards.:p
 
49er said:
I'm sure you don't need that many replacements for those exquisitely tuned 850's!!!
Click to expand...
Well, right now that is not a problem at all. My wife's bike is the only one seeing any regular use. #2 son does not have his endorsement yet, so I am the only one using it, and I am only home about once a month, lately. My 850 is still not running. I have some other projects to complete before getting it going. :o

.
 
49er said:
Keep in good with TCK and you'll never have to buy new plugs again. ;)

I'm sure you don't need that many replacements for those exquisitely tuned 850's!!! If you keep their number down to 4, you should just about keep up with his discards.:p
Click to expand...
Well, he lucked out. There for a while he was SOL cause I only had 16v GSs, which use different plugs. Now that I have the 1000G, Rose's 550L and the soon to be restored 750B I will have LOTS of plugs for him. Although, now that I will have FOUR bikes to keep running, I might cut back on how often i change the plugs for fear of going broke...LOL
 
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