Running rich?

[buffalobill]

 I had my 98 Tourer carbs cleaned/synched this spring. I had a wonderful summer of riding, bike was performing flawlessly til about 2 weeks ago. I had a set of NGK DPR6EA 9 plugs in it all summer. I noticed about the last few weeks the fuel mileage was dropping and the bike was running rich, when I accelerated the guys behind me would smell gas. I pulled the plugs and they were all black carbon, some comes off easily. I had a set of DPR7EA 9 plugs on hand so I put them in. Running better now, but the temps are dropping like a rock here in the Buffalo, NY area. What do the rest of you run for plugs. I typically ride at or above the speed limit and I ride 70 miles round trip to work daily, alot of 65 mph interstate, very few stoplights on route.
Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.
buffalobill

[Ricky-D]

If the plugs are all showing a uniformly rich condition I think the problem would be a dirty air cleaner filter or something clogging up the air intake vent on the air box.

This is of course predicated on the assumption that you have done no fiddling with the carburetors since the last dealer attention that you mention.

And additionally that you haven't done any other "mods" to the motor or ignition that would affect such a change.

***

[Pete]

+1 Ricky-d

[buffalobill]

Ricky,
 I have a K&N filter, cleaned and oiled when the carbs were done. I will open it up and check/clean again. What plugs do you run?
Thanks,
buffalobill

[RP#62]

K&N takes a very light coat of oil.  Too much oil will cause you problems.
-RP

[R J]

K&N takes a very light coat of oil.  Too much oil will cause you problems.
-RP

10-04 what the lad from AZ says.

Been there, done that and wore the T shirt once.

I did my bike like we did the circle burner.  Too much oil and I won't say what the pit crew said later............