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Sparkplug Longevity

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by orourcs, Jul 5, 2011.

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  1. orourcs

    orourcs New Member

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    Hey guys, how long should I expect a set of spark plugs to last on my 2006 Harley softtail?
    Thanks,
    orourcs, Jul 5, 2011
    #1
  3. whacker

    whacker Active Member

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    Someone here should be able to answere your question.....I've heard of some people running the same plugs for years, I change my plugs every year.
    whacker, Jul 5, 2011
    #2
  4. JohnnyBiker

    JohnnyBiker Well-Known Member

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    If your bike is well tuned, fuel settings are set right for your ride, plugs will last a long long time. Like Wacker, I change my plugs frequently, it isn't because I have to, but just a PM thing.
    JohnnyBiker, Jul 5, 2011
    #3
  5. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    I have a '05 Softie and I change 'em once a year only 'cause what the hell.
    Fatboy128, Jul 5, 2011
    #4
  6. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I change em about every 20,000 miles and probably still don't need it but hey, those who change every year keep the spark plug Manuf. in business. :)
    FLHTbiker, Jul 5, 2011
    #5
  7. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    On My 03 I have changed them twice & only 62K miles , still work good even after changing the top end , I just put the old s plugs in the new heads works just fine :D
    cowboy, Jul 5, 2011
    #6
  8. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I changed the plugs in my 01 carbed springer 3 years or more ago when I got it and put the old ones in my tool kit. Still going strong.
    FLHTbiker, Jul 5, 2011
    #7
  9. IW46

    IW46 New Member

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    so if i dont use H-D plugs what is a good brand to replace them with ?
    IW46, Jul 30, 2011
    #8
  10. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    Come on, drop the bucks on Harley's. What the hell. There's only 2 of 'em! :cool:
    Fatboy128, Jul 30, 2011
    #9
  11. HarleysLR

    HarleysLR Active Member

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    I know Harleys don't make the plugs but they do seem to work the best, I tried NGK for a while their ok but I went back to Harley plugs, 20,000 miles sounds about right
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2011
    HarleysLR, Jul 30, 2011
    #10
  12. IW46

    IW46 New Member

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    ok not worried bout the bucks. just not close to a store. and was wondering if i would hear that a splitfire was good or not ..... so thanks!! appreciate it
    IW46, Jul 30, 2011
    #11
  13. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    They're OK... not worth the extra bux IMO.... Champion makes the plugs for HD...here's a cross ref chart....pick your flavor....

    Harley Spark Plug Cross-Reference
    Lucifer, Jul 30, 2011
    #12
  14. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    yup, yearly..........
    chucktx, Jul 30, 2011
    #13
  15. alex the dog

    alex the dog Active Member

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    I suppose everyone will scream at me for bike abuse, but I still have the original plugs in my '08 with 70,000 miles on them. Starts great and runs great, so why worry.
    alex the dog, Jul 30, 2011
    #14
  16. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Man alex your tough , I change mine about once a year
    cowboy, Jul 30, 2011
    #15
  17. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    I'd say you have about 30,000 miles left in them...do they show any signs of wear??
    How often do you guys change the plugs in your cars??
    I put a set of Champions in the RK when I bought it 3 yrs ago...then just for chits and giggles I put a set of HD plugs in this year as an unscientific experiment...I'm gonna start a thread about what I found....
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2011
    Lucifer, Jul 31, 2011
    #16
  18. whacker

    whacker Active Member

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    I think it would be a good idea to check the "gap",if you run the same plugs for alot of miles.
    whacker, Jul 31, 2011
    #17
  19. alex the dog

    alex the dog Active Member

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    I started checking them from the beginning every 5,000 miles, and they always looked clean. Last time was at 60,000 and they still looked like new. Lucifer is right.....they probably are good for 100K.

    P.S. It's not the plugs that are so great ($2.00 ?). It's the ignition and fuel injection system that makes their life easy.
    alex the dog, Aug 1, 2011
    #18
  20. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Old plugs and weak old wires can damage coils, It's best JMO to go about half the recommended manuf miles.

    Ford said I could go 100K with my Eff Juan Fiddy, well they've changed that, and
    I eventually dropped a coil because a plug wasn't firing well, it just got old.... Coil
    had to work harder to make the spark.

    Also on the newer bikes (delphi which is 02 and up) the spark system uses Ion sensing
    to help set timing and detect knock, so you can change plugs but the wires should be HD wires or it can throw the system off causing it to run poor.

    JMO plugs are cheap, at 70K I'd change them, not because they are bad per se
    but they have an important job and good spark means good ignition, meaning good combustion, meaning good power, and better mileage..

    Plus, ya gotta keep the spark plug guys employed....
    hotroadking, Aug 1, 2011
    #19
  21. alex the dog

    alex the dog Active Member

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    Do you think there are any real humans making spark plugs anymore? Probably only the guy that unlocks the door in the morning, and the other guy that counts the cash. Ha!
    alex the dog, Aug 1, 2011
    #20
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