i was wondering how often yall change them and what kind of spark plugs yall use... see, my 99 only has 7100 miles on it but it isnt giving me any kind of throttle response and is lacking on power... being in 1st she putters up to about 3-4000 rpms before it gives me anything (and not much at that).. i was asking some people around at DFW Honda, and they said either carbs or sparks... so, i have a bottle of sea foam to see if it will clean them out some (am just gonna put in the gas tank) and if that does not give me any help then i guess im gonna take it in and get it worked on... thanks for the help in advance!!!
Swader, Some one with more knowledge than I will help you, just telling you my story. I got an '82 last year and it was not giving me what I thought it should. I think I had a mid rane problem but don't remeber for sure. I changed out the plugs and it ran great. It's hesitating now, new gremlin. I'm gonna use Sea Foam too. Haven't before, but worth a try. Is that sposed to be done regulary?
My owners manual says to change plugs every 4,000 miles. It seems excessive to me but I did. and did it again when I put the next 4k on. I use NGK's which the manual also says. They have another listed, an ND. Don't know anything about that. Some one mentioned Iridium(?) plugs in another post and know nothing about them either. Somebody will clue me or us in I am sure.
I would at the very least, pull them and see what they look like. For the $12 or so for new plugs, I would try that before taking it in. Maybe you live close enough to go to a wrench session. Second time I said that in post because I am jealous. Just want to let you know that I have no pull with the wrenchers.
2 things will help, premium octane fuel (ethanol in the fuel now makes it an option). Lastly a set of shims on the carb needles and a pilot screw adjustment.
If you are up to it I think a few shots of carb cleaner on the jets would help clean out some of the gunk as well. But, that involves getting down to the carbs. NOt fun.
Bob
Funny you should ask that question. I just changed the plugs on my 2000 Magna. The owners manual on the 3rd generation Magna says change the plugs every 8000 miles. I had over 9000 on my set of plugs and I thought she had been running a little rough and lacked the acceleration she once had. After the plug change she ran great (maybe my imagination but I swear she did). The plugs are somewhat of a knuckle buster, at least the two front ones. I stayed with the NGK.
ok well here you go!!! i did change them out with about 4oz of Sea Foam into the tank... and i made a mistake, i had 7700 miles instead of 7200.. and i also stayed with NGK, i went with the CR9EH Insted of the CR8EH... also, if you are stuck on a sunday or past 7 or 8 at night and are wanting to change your plugs, O'Reily's carries them there AutoZone does not, and are about 4.99 or 5.99 a peice... after doing this, (the changing of the plugs (taking about 25 min) and the Sea Foam in the tank(which i filled up on Premium which Greg Cothern recommended on my way home from getting the plugs and then added the 4oz when i got home before changing the plugs so it could be setting in there)) i noticed immediate throttle responce and no struggle to keep running!!! the bike runs GREAT and here is a pic of my plugs that i pulled out after 7700 miles...
The plugs look good other than being pretty lean, you want them to be tan color.
You need shims at a minimum and depending if your running stock exhaust or not you might need jets as well.
Sounds like I need to schedule another wrench session hehehehe.
hey man that sounds GREAT... and when you do, count me in!!! i WILL be there
Watch your fuel economy, keep a good record of it and when it really starts to drop (remember to average for hard riding) then change the plugs and start looking for a reason.
If you power is there and fuel economy then ride till it changes.