does this plug say rich to you?

[JimmyR]

Tuning my carbs again right now. I think it's running rich in the low revs - lots of bogging and spitting just off idle. Trying to perform plug chops but as I haven't done this before don't really know what bits to read!

[tom203]

Did you happen to stumble across this on Basscliff's campus?

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/faqs/faqread.asp

[JimmyR]

Yes I have seen that but my plug doesn't really exactly match any of the pics. I was hoping that an expert here would recognise the tune of my carbs from my pic. I know it's mainly black but the tongue bit is grey now, whereas it used to be black before I changed the pilots.

Thanks for the link though!

[koolaid_kid]

I would say that is very close. Try turning the mixture screws in 1/2 turn and do another chop.

[JimmyR]

thanks! I feel I'm getting close.

[tkent02]

That plug is showing rich, but what was the engine doing right before the plug was pulled?
Is that black from idling? Cruising gently along? highway cruising or a full throttle blast?

That will determine which adjustment you need to change.

[Nessism]

Rich for sure.

To do plug chops you need to run the engine in the various mixture ranges for at least 1 min steady. For example, run the engine on the pilot circuit for one min, stop and pull the plugs right away.

[JimmyR]

Well my issues are all at just off idle so that is where I stopped the bike. Higher revs are really good. In fact when I was riding I found the only way to ride smoothly without hesitation and coughing was to keep revs over 4000. I kept the bike in the trouble zone on my way back to my garage - it comes off a rear lane so I keep the revs down along there anyway. So I think the pic is a pretty good indication of the problem area of my bike.

So I think now I have a good idea of where my pilot should be - now to drop the needles one click and see how that goes. Thanks heaps guys.