NGK B8ES spark plug replacements: Autolite or Champion?

[mattd1205]

Has anyone tried Autolite 4054s or Champion N2C/N3Cs recently? they’re non-resistor plugs that are supposedly equivelent to the NGK B8ES and W24ES-U plugs. Any thoughts on them?

Matt

[RichDesmond]

For as long as I've owned motorcycles (40+ years) the accepted wisdom has been to use the NGKs and not any substitute.

[mattd1205]

For as long as I've owned motorcycles (40+ years) the accepted wisdom has been to use the NGKs and not any substitute.

I’m the same way with NGK. Unfortunately, they don’t carry B8ES in any of the parts stores around here anymore. It doesn’t seem like I can get them from reputable online outlets either.

[Nessism]

Someone here posted a similar ebay link to a seller with NOS ND W24ES plugs a while back. Myself, and I think, some others bought these and they are the real deal made in Japan ND's. They don't have a U groove, but that doesn't seem to bother NGK, since they don't have a groove either. Anyway, I'd get some of these before going Autolite or Champion.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/360780517093?epid=1630584072&hash=item540031cee5:g:ls0AAMXQL99Scryl

[alke46]

Last time I bought plugs was from the dealership's online partsfish. When they came in, they appeared to be NGK, but were boxed in Suzuki boxes.

IMG_20220320_183839228 by Larry Alkire, on Flickr

IMG_20220320_183821331 by Larry Alkire, on Flickr

[phydeauxmutt]

The engineering (and practical) side of me says "the plug is a couple of electrodes, separated by some ceramic, that can be threaded into a hole. As long as the heat range is correct, what difference is there in who makes it?"

The experienced side of me says "the last time I tried something besides NGK, the bike ran like crap."

Not sure whether I have any new ones available, but I have LOTS of slightly-used ones that can be cleaned and gapped.

[mattd1205]

Someone here posted a similar ebay link to a seller with NOS ND W24ES plugs a while back. Myself, and I think, some others bought these and they are the real deal made in Japan ND's. They don't have a U groove, but that doesn't seem to bother NGK, since they don't have a groove either. Anyway, I'd get some of these before going Autolite or Champion.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/36078051709...0AAMXQL99Scryl

thats a good deal! Thank you for the heads up Nessism!

[mattd1205]

Last time I bought plugs was from the dealership's online partsfish. When they came in, they appeared to be NGK, but were boxed in Suzuki boxes.

IMG_20220320_183839228 by Larry Alkire, on Flickr

IMG_20220320_183821331 by Larry Alkire, on Flickr

brilliant! That reminds me.. some of the Honda CBs and used B8ES plugs too. I guess the N600s used B8ES plugs as well I might take a chance and see if the dealer near me can get some for me.

[mattd1205]

The engineering (and practical) side of me says "the plug is a couple of electrodes, separated by some ceramic, that can be threaded into a hole. As long as the heat range is correct, what difference is there in who makes it?"

The experienced side of me says "the last time I tried something besides NGK, the bike ran like crap."

Not sure whether I have any new ones available, but I have LOTS of slightly-used ones that can be cleaned and gapped.

that’s the part that really irritates me. NGK really left us in a lurch by discontinuing export of B8ES plugs to the US without an acceptable substitute available. It would be less irritating if Denso W24ES-U plugs were available everywhere like the B8ES plugs were.

[rphillips]

Best I remember, & It's been a long time since I checked, I think the Autolite & Champions use 1 heat range to cover appx. 4 heat ranges of the NGK's & ND's.

[Forden]

I got some B8ES's online here--shipping from UK added about $10 for 12 plugs, as I recall.

https://us.gsparkplug.com/1x-ngk-cop...b8es-2411.html

Here's a useful thread from last year--it's where I got the lead for that retailer:

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/forum/technical-forums/general-maintenance/91330-ngk-plug-shortahe

[rphillips]

I was just thinking to use the BR8ES (resistor plugs) & remove the resistors from the plug caps. I just went & read read that old thread from the link above, & it kind'f said the same thing...I don't know but it just seems reasonable.

[mattd1205]

I was just thinking to use the BR8ES (resistor plugs) & remove the resistors from the plug caps. I just went & read read that old thread from the link above, & it kind'f said the same thing...I don't know but it just seems reasonable.

I considered doing the same but it seems some of the ngk caps don’t have removable resistors. Some of them are molded together and others have a slot so you can easily remove the resistor and spring with a flat blade screwdriver. The plug caps I use for cylinders #1 and #4 (VB05F) are not easily removable and the one I use for cylinders #2 and #3 can be opened with a screwdriver (XB05F).

[rphillips]

I don't remember seeing them with resistors that weren't removable, NGK nor OEM. I guess they worked too good for too long, so finally they had to fix them. I'm no electrician so never knew why I needed "any" resistors, let alone three (resistor wires, resistor plugs, & resistor caps), on my bikes ign. system anyway.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

As far as I know (which isn't much), you should only have a resistor present in 1 of the 3: Plugs, or caps, or Leads. Not 2, not 3. Somebody correct me.