SuzukiSavage.com - What is criteria for changing the spark plug?

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What is criteria for changing the spark plug?
10/22/10 at 09:26:29

Hey - i like to ride but am mechanically challenged. 09 s40 running well with 8200 miles on it. Here's the question - bike mechanic pulled original plug at 6,200 miles and didn't replace it - said it was still good to go. How do I know if and when I need to replace the original plug?

(the related issue here is i'm getting poorer by the day, so can no longer really afford said mechanic's service...did replace the oil and filter last week for a total cost of about $10 which is a fraction of what the shop charges so I probably need to learn to do basic maintenance on this bike if I'm going to keep riding it...)

thanks for the great input this forum provides...ciao...csr

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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: What is criteria for changing the spark plug? Reply #1 - 10/22/10 at 09:30:47 As long as its running good I wouldn't worry about changing the plug,Plugs last a long time in cars should last long in motorcycle as long as your not to rich or lean.
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EJID Serious Thumper Offline Work to ride and ride to work. Posts: 1536 Pocatello, ID Gender:	Re: What is criteria for changing the spark plug? Reply #2 - 10/22/10 at 10:07:25 Agree, if there's not a carb problem they will last a long time. These bikes are not very difficult to work on, but if you have to take it to the shop for even the small items it will become a very expensive bike.
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Yonuh Adisi FSO Serious Thumper Offline Savage Jedi (Knight) Posts: 3622 Pilot Valley NV, aka Tatooine Gender:	Re: What is criteria for changing the spark plug? Reply #3 - 10/22/10 at 10:31:11 This should give you an idea what to look for.
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28644 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: What is criteria for changing the spark plug? Reply #4 - 10/22/10 at 10:47:10 At a buck n' half a pop,... I change plugs every 10k whether it needs it or not... Big spender, heh?.. ...
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babyhog Serious Thumper Offline Find a Cure for Breast Cancer! NOW!! Posts: 3802 WV Gender:	Re: What is criteria for changing the spark plug? Reply #5 - 10/22/10 at 11:31:04 Serowbot wrote on 10/22/10 at 10:47:10: At a buck n' half a pop,... I change plugs every 10k whether it needs it or not... Big spender, heh?.. ... Dammit man, where were you when I was single?
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6056 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: What is criteria for changing the spark plug? Reply #6 - 10/22/10 at 14:44:33 Yonuh Adisi FSO wrote on 10/22/10 at 10:31:11: This should give you an idea what to look for. http://www.aa1car.com/library/reading_spark_plugs.jpg that be a good post for the tech section
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RC

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Re: What is criteria for changing the spark plug?
Reply #7 - 10/22/10 at 16:50:34

I agree with Bill these plugs should last a long time. But I also agree with Serowbot for 2 bucks or less a piece I change the plug every time I pull the tank to adjust the valves. You'll save a ton of money working on this bike yourself,It's easier than any other bike I've had. Use some of that money to buy good oil and a few sparkplugs.

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Routy

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Re: What is criteria for changing the spark plug?
Reply #8 - 10/22/10 at 17:37:38

That 3rd one from the bottom on the left looks like dirt injestion to me,.....kinda like when running a K&N window screen type filter. Shocked

And that how they looked when the Kohler Engine field Rep would void the warranty on an in warranty walker mower.... because of dirt injestion. And the underside of the valves would look the same way. And we would usually find a defective aircleaner, or most times installed incorrectly.

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Re: What is criteria for changing the spark plug?
Reply #9 - 10/23/10 at 12:46:10

I think carlos' deeper question is "How much trouble is it to change?" This bunch has been griping about changing the plug for so long the Nubies are scared to death. Carlos, get out the digital camera and take pics of where the hoses go on the carb. The rest is fairly simple, if not really easy. I take the tank off with fuel in it, but you probably want to drain it first. Set a gas can on a block or sumpthin' and run the fuel hose in there and put it on prime. And take the cap off the tank. And get a Clymers manual. Be patient and write it down and read it back as you put stuff on. Any way you want to depending on your confidence. And do this on a cool engine to keep from stripping the threads. Put the new plug in just snug. I'm sure others have other ideas how to do this, too. I think we should gripe about the bad design instead of the difficulty. But we don't gripe about the things we love. Oh, I forgot...all together class...begin by removing the seat. All Savage work begins by removing the seat.

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