PLUGS FOR VALK??

[BIG--T]

OK, After reading the manual I need to change plugs. What do most of you run? I know on my VTX those NGK Irridiums are expensive, around $80.00 for 4! So I've been buying Bosch 4419s which are good plugs and only $6 ea. at Autozone.

Any ideas on the Valk that I can get at an auto parts store?

Thanks

[Chillerman]

At the top of this page click on the yellow shop talk.  Go to Jeff K's generic parts and you will find what you need.

[Bone]

When I got my Valk every one on this board said stay with the NGK. After the odometer hit 70k I bought a set of NGK DPR7EA. I had put 50K miles on the plugs that were in the bike when purchased. Ran the same but I felt better.
Stopped at Autozone and the guy said I should go to a motorcycle shop when I gave him the plug numbers. Told him I would and went a half mile to Advanced Auto and bought them for $15.

[Valker]

That generic parts list is a great asset! That said, I have 125,000 on my Valk and am on the second set of plugs.

[gordonv]

I bought iridium plugs for all my bikes, GW GL1100, Shadow ACE T and the Valk IS, becuase I could get a great price online from Advance Auto Parts, $7 ea.

The VT1100T and the GL1500 use the same plug so I bought 10. Concensus on the forum is the Valk doesn't need new plugs, ever, so I'm waisting my money, so I was going to save them for the ACE T instead. I haven't gotten around to install them in any of my bikes, since the Valk is down, and I haven't gotten back into riding since the accident, now pending a new job and helmet or spring weather to come, before I do.

NGK DPR7EA-9             IR   DPR7EIX-9   Advance Auto Parts # 7803

[Chrisj CMA]

Forget all them fancy xpensive ones.  NGK stock specks OEM plugs available at Auto parts places for as little as $2 a pop change tham every 60 or 70K miles.  And if you are going by the book, I think they want you change them at 12K..........if you have less than 20K on them and shes running normal, just forget agout it! 

[BIG--T]

WOW, SURE BEATS $20 A POP! i DON'T GET IT, THERE'S PEOPLE WITH 70,000 ON THE FACTORY PLUGS AMD THE MANUAL SAYS TO CHANGE THEM @ 8,000!!

[bigdog99]

i still have the original plugs i changed at 69,000. they looked almost new.
i will probably use them if and when these news ones ever fail.

[fudgie]

I tries the E3's and they sucked. Had the Delco spitfires years ago and liked them. OEM's now and they are good.

[Steve K (IA)]

Forget all them fancy xpensive ones.  NGK stock specks OEM plugs available at Auto parts places for as little as $2 a pop change tham every 60 or 70K miles.  And if you are going by the book, I think they want you change them at 12K..........if you have less than 20K on them and shes running normal, just forget agout it! 

 

[Thunderbolt]

only problem I have ever had is when I forgot I had left the choke on and fouled out a couple.  NGK DPR7EA9

[Tundra]

Save your money...stock is fine NGK DPR7EA9. I have checked them numerous times when my Valkyrie was new to me and I couldn't keep my paws off it. Never needed changing, except for what I caused by tinkering with my carbs, that didn't need tinkering either. The Valk is gentle on plugs

[gordonv]

Advance's site was down, they just sent me an email with a discount code for $20 off an order of $50 or more. Good till Mar 14th.

I don't know if this is a one time code, so the first person who NEEDs it, and will use it now can email me, and I'll forward it to you. If it can be used for more than one purchase, then I'll post it here. If not, I'll remove the offer when it's used. gordonv1 @ telus.net (just remove the spaces).

[BIG--T]

With all you changing your plugs at 70,000+ miles, I wonder why the manual says to change them @ 8,000 miles? I've got a little over 8K and don't know whether to go with the NGK extended plugs #DPR8, or standard #DPR9? I don't live in a cold climate.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Bone]

I would pull the plugs each season and check the gap. Wipe the outside of the plug and torque them using a tiny line of anti-seize. I have read that you don't want to cover the threads of the plug they need to ground just use a tiny straight line it has worked for me. They looked good each year I know that doesn't mean they are working 100%.  Finally changed them and couldn't tell any difference but I felt better.

[BIG--T]

When I got my Valk every one on this board said stay with the NGK. After the odometer hit 70k I bought a set of NGK DPR7EA. I had put 50K miles on the plugs that were in the bike when purchased. Ran the same but I felt better.
Stopped at Autozone and the guy said I should go to a motorcycle shop when I gave him the plug numbers. Told him I would and went a half mile to Advanced Auto and bought them for $15.

I hope $15 was for 6! But if not, is still cheap compared to my VTX that requires NGK Irridiums @ $80.00 for 4 which is ridiculous!! 

Without having to look at the manual, I believe it said the 7EA was for cold weather? BTW, does anyone know why the manual says to change plugs at only 8,000 miles?? Don't make any sense when a lot of people like you on this board replace them @ 70,000+ miles!! Sounds like Honda greed to me!

Thanks

[Blackduck]

6EA for cold weather, 7EA for normal use and 8EA for extended Hi speed running.
Cheers Steve

[BIG--T]

6EA for cold weather, 7EA for normal use and 8EA for extended Hi speed running.
Cheers Steve

Hi Steve, I know it says 8 for extended high speed- whatever that  means. Unless I misread, my manual said 9 for standard.
 
Anyway thanks and G'day!!

[Bone]

I hope $15 was for 6! But if not, is still cheap compared to my VTX that requires NGK Irridiums @ $80.00 for 4 which is ridiculous!!  

You made me curious I know my memory isn't 100%.
On 4/1/10 I paid $14.94 at Advanced Auto for 6 NGK plugs.
My independent shop wanted much more.

[Jeff K]

I run 8's in my blown bikes, It helps keep the tips there longer. Though I have been know to burn them off to a nub 

[thunderbass53]

I just installed NGK Iridium's in my 97 Std. Got them at Advance Auto at the same time I got the Laser Iridium's for my 2004 Accord. 10 plugs...about $85 total, but good for 100k miles! 

[BIG--T]

not bad for 6!! 

[John U.]

Sparkplugs.com has the NGK irridium DPR7EIX-9 for $7.83 each or 46.98 for 6. The regular NGKs DPR7EA-9  they have for 2.89 or 17.34 for 6

A couple of years ago I decided to try exotic plugs, I have the NGK irridium plugs in one Valk. I widened the gap a bit and the bike runs great. I did other things like the ECT mod at the same time, picked up a few mpg but I can't say if some of that is the plugs.

My other Valk got E3s. They are coming out tomorrow. Here in southern Delaware we've had a short break in the weather. I rode both bike a couple of times and the one with the E3s has a miss. I'm pretty sure it isn't clogged carbs, the miss sticks with me at high rpms.
I'll put the old plugs back in and see if that cures it.

[suthrncop]

Went to O'Reilly's today for a set of plugs and they (their book) recommended ngk D7EA....what is the difference in these and DPR7EA9's.....i'm spark plug ignorant

[9Ball]

Went to O'Reilly's today for a set of plugs and they (their book) recommended ngk D7EA....what is the difference in these and DPR7EA9's.....i'm spark plug ignorant

search is your friend...here's some help with the info.

http://ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/index.asp?mode=nml

what the numbers and letters mean...

http://ngksparkplugs.com/docs/tech/partnumberkey.pdf

If you have electronics and don't sue the DPR (see chart, the R is for resistor), then you will have noise interference.

good luck...

[suthrncop]

thanks

[RonW]

Without having to look at the manual, I believe it said the 7EA was for cold weather?

Same here. However, for my other bike it's like how everbody is saying according to its manual. (??)

[98valk]

I use autolite 4162 has a necked down center electrode.  I also shorten and round the corners of the side electrode so that it extends just halfway across the tip of the center electrode. Actually I do this for all my vehicles plugs.
 http://sparkplugs.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=8302

http://autolite.com/sites/default/a/uploads/en/sparkplugtypes.pdf    see #11

[Ricky-D]

I got those Iridium plugs and what a difference!

The power increase was very noticeable to me.

I think now they are starting to wear a little because it's getting harder to break the rear wheel loose when I gas it.

Got to get some new ones soon!

***

[BIG--T]

Wow I see this thread is still going from feburary! I just went with the stocker for about $2 a pop! My old ones looked brand new and were burning perfect- don't know why Mother Honda said change @ 8k. Money I guess.

Thanks ya'll

[Bone]

Mine looked new at 50k I changed them and I feel better.
The bike runs the same

[BIG--T]

Mine looked new at 50k I changed them and I feel better.
The bike runs the same

Yeah just like when you wash your truck/car and bike, they ride better! 

[valkyriemc]

XGUY, a salute to you.

"The 1st Cavalry Division ("First Team"[2]) is one of the most famous and most decorated combat divisions of the United States Army.[3]"

Thank you for your service...

[Chrisj CMA]

get the OEM numbered NGK at autozone for $2.  Down side is they are only good for 60K-70K miles then you will want to replace them for no apparant reason.  Why get them fancy ones, she wsont run any better

[98valk]

anybody have any experience with these plugs?

http://www.extremespark.com/

[Ricky-D]

I think the only real improvement that can be made regarding spark plugs is when manufacturers drill the heads for multiple spark plugs. Harley used to do that on some models and may still do that.

Multiple spark plugs speed flame propagation withing the cylinder. Voila, more complete combustion and the resultant more horsepower.

A spark plug along the perimeter of the cylinder is not as good as a spark plug in the center on the cylinder.  Chrysler had it right with the "Hemi"

***

[Chrisj CMA]

I find a very small improvement if you index the plugs as you install them.  as long as the spray is somehere in the vicinity of 6o'clock and not 12o'clock it will work a tad better

[aslondon]

Had always used std ngk's but thought I might give the iridiums a try.  Advanced Auto had them in stock, I think they wre 6.48 +-. I used the widest gap think it was .035. ECT mod, Jardine headers, std air filter, early 97 std. I am impressed. The bike has always kind of "burbled"" no missing, just kind of a strange sound none of my other Valks in 10 years had ever maded - it's now gone. I know it's too early to make a rash judgement, went for a 200 mile Saturday and my MPG was consistently right around 40 it had previously been substantially less. Lets see if that continues.

Al
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