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Spark Plug: Overheating on a Colder Plug?
- Austin440
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My understanding of this means that it is running too hot, usually indicating a lean condition. These plugs are NGK BR9ES, which is different than the factory recommendation of B7ES. Given that the B7 is a hotter plug, would the B7 come out even more white/overheated, or would it get better since it is a hotter plug? Perhaps this isn't even a spark plug issue, maybe I'm just not balancing the carbs perfectly so they're running lean. I'm not sure how to interpret this.
1981 KZ440 LTD
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- P21
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2 carbs easy try 4 of them bitches!
hope you have a fan on this motor when servicing it?
Kawasaki KZ 1000 Police (2002) P21
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- Austin440
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1981 KZ440 LTD
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- Austin440
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1981 KZ440 LTD
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- P21
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Kawasaki KZ 1000 Police (2002) P21
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Kawasaki KZ 1000 Police (2002) P21
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- Austin440
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About the plugs, do you think changing to the factory recommended plug would make a difference even though it's a hotter plug? I've been going with the BR9ES just because that's what came with the bike.
1981 KZ440 LTD
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- 650ed
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1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- MDawnz1
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The only way to read a spark plug is at FULL THROTTLE UNDER FULL LOAD !!!!!!
For ALL the other adjustments you just use your ear and the seat of your pants.
And use the standard plugs unless the engine is HIGHLY modified AND you know what you are doing.
1974 Z1a, still 903
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- Austin440
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The good news - I got it running acceptable; it can pretty easily maintain 65-70 mph in a strong headwind with the throttle not more than a 1/4 open, so in my book that's running pretty good.
The bad news - I seem to have to replace/clean the spark plugs every time I run it. After going on a lengthy ride yesterday, I started it up today and it sounded really weak. The idle got slower and slower even with the choke on (it would stall with the choke off). Eventually it stalled out and wouldn't start again. I pulled the plugs and they were entirely black and had gas on them. I Replaced the plugs with a previous set that I had cleaned and it fired right up and was back to running acceptable again. This is the second time this has happened; it runs good one day, then the next day it barely runs at all.
Am I still running lean and burning out the plugs? Any ideas?
P.S. Thanks for the tips above. I think the fan made a difference in keeping the bike cool during the tune up.
1981 KZ440 LTD
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- MFolks
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1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
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- 650ed
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Austin440 wrote: Good news and bad news.
The good news - I got it running acceptable; it can pretty easily maintain 65-70 mph in a strong headwind with the throttle not more than a 1/4 open, so in my book that's running pretty good.
The bad news - I seem to have to replace/clean the spark plugs every time I run it. After going on a lengthy ride yesterday, I started it up today and it sounded really weak. The idle got slower and slower even with the choke on (it would stall with the choke off). Eventually it stalled out and wouldn't start again. I pulled the plugs and they were entirely black and had gas on them. I Replaced the plugs with a previous set that I had cleaned and it fired right up and was back to running acceptable again. This is the second time this has happened; it runs good one day, then the next day it barely runs at all.
Am I still running lean and burning out the plugs? Any ideas?
P.S. Thanks for the tips above. I think the fan made a difference in keeping the bike cool during the tune up.
You mentioned that after a ride you pulled the plugs and they were entirely black and had gas on them. This would indicate that either the plugs are too cold or the air/fuel mixture is too rich. In an earlier post you stated you are using BR9ES plugs. Those plugs are 2 heat ranges colder than the plugs called for by Kawasaki (and are resistor type plugs which doesn't help), so it is likely that this is contributing to the plug fouling problem. I suggest you install the spark plugs that Kawasaki recommends - they are B7ES plugs (see diagram). This should help eliminate the plug fouling problem. Ed
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1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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