1
Wanted & For Sale / Re: Paddock roller starter
« Last post by Topdad on Today at 09:15 »Nice idea John but as where I'm situated is as flat as billiard table not an option 
View or Hide Header -->
Recent Posts
2
Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Iridium Spark Plugs
« Last post by jhg1958 on Today at 08:16 »Wow so much about the humble spark plug but I suppose it is a part close to all our hearts and toolbox.
They are key to engine performance and any leakage of the HT current will cause problems. Cleaning old plugs will help to remove material that fouls the plug but probably not to a point where they will be as new. Wire brushing is the most basic type of cleaning although not very good.
I was looking for spark plug cleaning equipment and found this, so our problems are as old as the combustion engine.
Thanks for the info about iridium plugs. I am about to change the plugs on my Honda Deauville and the spark plugs are a bitch to replace so I will buy a couple and forget them for a few years. Not expecting better performance but easier maintenance.
I will keep my wire brush for now. I have had fouled plugs on trips and pleased to have my little brush with me (and a couple of spares).
John
They are key to engine performance and any leakage of the HT current will cause problems. Cleaning old plugs will help to remove material that fouls the plug but probably not to a point where they will be as new. Wire brushing is the most basic type of cleaning although not very good.
I was looking for spark plug cleaning equipment and found this, so our problems are as old as the combustion engine.
Thanks for the info about iridium plugs. I am about to change the plugs on my Honda Deauville and the spark plugs are a bitch to replace so I will buy a couple and forget them for a few years. Not expecting better performance but easier maintenance.
I will keep my wire brush for now. I have had fouled plugs on trips and pleased to have my little brush with me (and a couple of spares).
John
3
Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Iridium Spark Plugs
« Last post by BagONails on Today at 01:22 »There was a time back in the nineties when DFI/electronic ignition and computerised engine management all came together with Euro and Californian (CAFE) emmision standards and lead free fuel to vastly clean up the way IC Engines run. At the same time spark service intervals started to increase until by the noughties 60,000 miles was about standard. Spark plug tech also improved in response to these demands and I think iridium plugs started to appear around the same time so its horses for courses. Not a waste of money in a modern engine maybe as NGK gives the life expectancy of their iridium electrode plugs as 100,000km and that is probably a conservative number... In a BSA though, most probably not worth it!
Generally speaking our plugs really don't wear out but they do foul. Due to variable running conditions (air/fuel ratio, ignition timing scatter, unburnt fuel and oil etc. etc.) our dirty old engines will slowly or sometimes very rapidly deposit carbon on the electrode ceramic insulator and the spark will track to earth instead of making a bid for freedom across the gap. Most of the time this occurs down in the well away from the tip and no amount of wire brushing will do any good. There used to be spark plug cleaners which basically sand blasted the tips but I've not heard of anyone doing this for years. An iridium plug will foul up just as quick as a standard plug.
Standard plugs are relatively cheap, toss it and fit a new one seems to be the go like so many things these days.
More info here or in your own country's equivalent site.
https://www.ngk.com.au/products/spark-plugs/
Generally speaking our plugs really don't wear out but they do foul. Due to variable running conditions (air/fuel ratio, ignition timing scatter, unburnt fuel and oil etc. etc.) our dirty old engines will slowly or sometimes very rapidly deposit carbon on the electrode ceramic insulator and the spark will track to earth instead of making a bid for freedom across the gap. Most of the time this occurs down in the well away from the tip and no amount of wire brushing will do any good. There used to be spark plug cleaners which basically sand blasted the tips but I've not heard of anyone doing this for years. An iridium plug will foul up just as quick as a standard plug.
Standard plugs are relatively cheap, toss it and fit a new one seems to be the go like so many things these days.
More info here or in your own country's equivalent site.
https://www.ngk.com.au/products/spark-plugs/
4
Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Iridium Spark Plugs
« Last post by Joolstacho on Today at 00:32 »Iridium = waste of money?
I learnt that iridium plugs were designed specifically for V6 car engines, where the plugs in the rear bank were very hard to get to, so the Iridium plugs were developed particularly to be longer lasting, (not better performing) therefore fewer (difficult) plug changes.
Discuss?
I learnt that iridium plugs were designed specifically for V6 car engines, where the plugs in the rear bank were very hard to get to, so the Iridium plugs were developed particularly to be longer lasting, (not better performing) therefore fewer (difficult) plug changes.
Discuss?
5
Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures / Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Last post by berger on Today at 00:05 »hehe worty if you didn't find glitter on the sump plate i wouldn't worty worry about what might be in the spin on filter 
6
Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures / Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Last post by Greybeard on 30.03. 2025 22:37 »I fitted a mudflap to the front mudguard. Exciting, eh?
7
Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures / Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Last post by Worty on 30.03. 2025 22:07 »Made all the final preps on both bikes today. Checked the sump gauze for bits on the GF. Was alarmed at first when I saw a decent collection of debris (don't panic Bergs), but when I checked, it was bits of gasket (no metal bits at all, not even glitter although the spin on filter may have collected something). Checked for end float on the crank by trying to shift it from side to side via the sump plate hole - no discernable movement. Before it went for the Bergs rebuild I could shift it from side to side with a very worrying clunk 
Checked all the oils, primary chain tension, nuts and bolts and finished with a spit and polish - all ready to go. Also gave the Kwaka a good rub down - just a nice day to come round and I'll be away!
Checked all the oils, primary chain tension, nuts and bolts and finished with a spit and polish - all ready to go. Also gave the Kwaka a good rub down - just a nice day to come round and I'll be away!
8
Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Iridium Spark Plugs
« Last post by trevinoz on 30.03. 2025 21:51 »This is all interesting.
I had the plugs changed in my Ford Falcon recently. The original were still in it and were working fine but I thought that after some 230000 km it was time to change.
They were Iridium and the replacements are NGK @ about $20 each.
I had the plugs changed in my Ford Falcon recently. The original were still in it and were working fine but I thought that after some 230000 km it was time to change.
They were Iridium and the replacements are NGK @ about $20 each.
9
Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures / Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?
« Last post by berger on 30.03. 2025 21:48 »i went out on betsy and now i have decided to have a butchers at the dynamo brushers in the near future, she used to charge at about 1800revs and now i find she sometimes charges at 2500 then kicks in a better charge at 3000 revs so 
and it is many many years ago since the dynamo was converted to 12 volt and i haven't touched it since so investigation will commence this week.
and it is many many years ago since the dynamo was converted to 12 volt and i haven't touched it since so investigation will commence this week.10
Wanted & For Sale / Re: Paddock roller starter
« Last post by chaterlea25 on 30.03. 2025 15:33 »Hi All
I live at the top of a hill, it has its advantages in situations like this
John
I live at the top of a hill, it has its advantages in situations like this
John