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Shovel top end

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by joshbob, Jul 26, 2012.

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  1. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    Are all Champion plugs made in Mexico? The ones I've been using seem to be okay.
    joshbob, Aug 12, 2012
    #61
  3. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    No not all of them RA8HC(88"-96" TC's) I run in my Evo(not stock heads) are made in USA but the RN12YC that fit stock Evo's are Mexican...it says on the box where they're made....they will work ,but don't seem to last long this is my experience running them in cars...my cousin that's been running his Automotive shop for 40+years won't put them in if a customer came up with a set to put in his car...this has come from a few years back when Champion made the partial move to Mexico and they're was absolutely NO QC...I've seen enough of them and heard cuz cursing them because of comebacks with fouled new Champs...They're QC may have improved...but I ain't gonna use them to find out...YMMV:)
    Lucifer, Aug 12, 2012
    #62
  4. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Ya need to run jalapeno 106 to get the most outta the mexican plugs...
    hotroadking, Aug 12, 2012
    #63
  5. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    LOL..Jalapeno 106 runs pretty hot...but it definitely keeps your pipes clean:D
    Lucifer, Aug 13, 2012
    #64
  6. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    Well, I've got the Bosch's in and I'll try them for a while, even though the cross reference is slightly different. Today I'll see tattoo and ask him why he uses the super plus instead of the platinum ones. I'm guessing price.

    Jalapeno 106 might burn holes in the tops of my pistons. Lol
    joshbob, Aug 13, 2012
    #65
  7. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    If the engine rebuild is questionable while it's mostly apart you might as well have the whole thing gone thru once and for all to be sure it's right. If all the parts are still good if should only cost a 2 or 3 hundred to confirm the bottom end is all good.
    Bosch plugs cost a lot more than Champion and you prolly wont notice any difference..JMO.
    Good luck.
    Tommyc, Aug 13, 2012
    #66
  8. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    Price would be it.IMO. NGK are good plugs too....really a waste of money using Platinum or Iridium plugs, ya go faster because your wallet's lighter ....

    Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2
    Lucifer, Aug 13, 2012
    #67
  9. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    ON the newer HD's you gotta be careful what plug you run, the ignition system senses knock using an Ion system that includes the plug wires and plugs. Get the wrong plugs and you'll get early detonation sensing and the ECU will pull timing out regardless if there really is knock or not...

    It's a good thing though because with a tuner software you can see it, and then correct
    timing by a degree or two and eliminate the knock sensors from pulling out timing.
    hotroadking, Aug 13, 2012
    #68
  10. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    My shovelhead has a knock sensor...my butt. :roflmao:
    Tommyc, Aug 13, 2012
    #69
  11. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    yeah lol got an oil sensor too, yer jeans LOL
    hotroadking, Aug 13, 2012
    #70
  12. baggerpaul

    baggerpaul Well-Known Member

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    :roflmao:now thats funny i dont care who ya are !
    baggerpaul, Aug 13, 2012
    #71
  13. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Them jeans are more of a oil catcher
    cowboy, Aug 13, 2012
    #72
  14. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    Yup, butt, jeans and EARS are good sensors! So is finger when checking oil level. Might mention that ever since I put the Bosch plugs in it's been harder to start the bike. Where it used to take 1 or 2 kicks after warmup with no clean out, I now have to clean it out after every stop and it takes about 3 to 5 kicks with ignition on to get it going.

    I'm going back to my Mexican made RN12YC Champions. I don't care who makes 'em. Cheaper, too!

    If I have the couple hundred to spare at the time (not likely), I'll have the bottom end checked out, too. Good advice, thanks Tommy.
    joshbob, Aug 14, 2012
    #73
  15. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    If they work....they work, NGK is a good plug # BPR5ES-11 for your engine...

    Check the box on the Champions and tell us where they made them,maybe they improved their Quality Control and are turning out decent plugs now...Harley has been using Champion for their plugs for a long time...:D
    Lucifer, Aug 14, 2012
    #74
  16. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    might be the gap needs to be different on those plugs or
    you might have to change something in the sequence. initial timing etc.
    hotroadking, Aug 14, 2012
    #75
  17. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    No need to change the timing - it was the gap. Changed it and the Bosch plugs work very well now, and they claim to have better milage and last twice as long as other plugs. And they are still made in Germany. Picked up two more sets this morning. All the Champion plugs I looked at are hecho en Mexico. Guy at NAPA said people weren't too happy with them.
    joshbob, Aug 15, 2012
    #76
  18. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep you gotta get it all right to get a kicker to work well.

    If ya can squeeze out the bucks in the budget I'd shoot
    to do the engine this winter, that way you can be comfortable
    all next year riding. I know it's tough but it's better to get it
    all set right once than pay to do it twice...

    Plus we'll have another 5000 post Joshbob builds a bike engine thread
    hotroadking, Aug 15, 2012
    #77
  19. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    HRK, I'm gonna do all I can to get the motor right this winter. Money is a major impediment. Now I have to even buy my own clothes - Mac says if you can afford to sink money in your motorcycle, you can afford to buy your own clothes from now on! LOL.

    I really hope it's not going to be too long of a post!:eek:
    joshbob, Aug 16, 2012
    #78
  20. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    the wife told me the same thing josh about two years ago , darn bike parts got scarce fast & i just were jeans & T shirts , boots do cost more :D
    cowboy, Aug 16, 2012
    #79
  21. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    Cowboy, that's exactly my story. Tee's & jeans. The blue shirt I'm wearing in the picture Mac bought me a long time ago. I got enough of those to last for another 10 years. LOL. Got my riding boots resoled in June. Had to break down and buy new socks & tee shirts yesterday. But I also squirriled away some bucks for the winter rebuild.:D
    joshbob, Aug 17, 2012
    #80
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