[Louis]

This is proving a little difficult...

lbrown and other well informed people have convinced me I don't want to mess about with the spark plugs on the V-Rod, because the plugs are used as an ion sensor, and using non standard ones may give a false reading, removing my knock protection at best, causing retarded ignition at worst. So I'll chuck the NGK irridiums in the bin then.

However, what plugs DO I use? It seems stock is an HD OEM part, 10R12A. Well there's no chance of finding them around here, and ebay doesn't have them either.

I very much doubt Harley make spark plugs. What are they, actually?

 

[stever975]

... what plugs DO I use? It seems stock is an HD OEM part, 10R12A. Well there's no chance of finding them around here, and ebay doesn't have them either.

I very much doubt Harley make spark plugs. What are they, actually?

The 27671-01K (10R12) that was superseded with the 32335-04 (10R12A) are made by Champion. I’ve heard the Champion number is RAX94YC but sale is blocked in the U.S. anyway. Specifications for the stock plug are:
thread diameter: 12 mm
thread reach: 19 mm
hex size: 16 mm (⅝" )
gap: 0.9 mm (0.035")

Most have found that the NGK DCPR8E (stock # 4179) works fine. It’s boxed with a gap of 0.040” but should be regapped to 0.9 mm.

 

[Louis]

The 27671-01K (10R12) that was superseded with the 32335-04 (10R12A) are made by Champion. I’ve heard the Champion number is RAX94YC but sale is blocked in the U.S. anyway.

Most have found that the NGK DCPR8E (stock # 4179) works fine. It’s boxed with a gap of 0.040” but should be regapped to 0.035”.

Thanks.

I'll go get some after lunch!

 

[ElrodontheV-Rod]

Harley sells the plugs for 3 dollars a piece.

 

[Louis]

Harley sells the plugs for 3 dollars a piece.

In the US, probably. In Portugal? "That would be a rare specialised part for an expensive imported bike sir... $20 Euros to you (each, plus tax), and we'd normally have them in a few weeks, but the importers are shut until the end of September."

DCPR8E eh? On my way...

 

[Louis]

Oh FFS. Well Jumbo no longer sell 5W50 bike oil, so all this has become moot.

Looks like the bike will have to come off the road.

(sigh).

 

[photogger]

Hey Louis - I have to go to the dealer later today. I could pick up a set of plugs and mail them to you..... Your cost would be what I pay (actual) for the plugs and postage to Portugal. Let me know, I'm willing to help out another VRodder and Photographer.

 

[gilbos440rt]

was about to make the same offer.

 

[Louis]

Hey Louis - I have to go to the dealer later today. I could pick up a set of plugs and mail them to you..... Your cost would be what I pay (actual) for the plugs and postage to Portugal. Let me know, I'm willing to help out another VRodder and Photographer.

Very kind of you to offer, but plugs (NGK DCPR8Es) were no problem. The issue is oil. I can pick that up in the UK at the beginning of September - but I use the bike every day, so not having it for two weeks will annoy me lots.

Oh well.

 

[bikerider58]

Looks like no shipping of plugs. But for future reference the small flat rate international express box will fit about 4 sets. Considering the very low 10K change interval you may want to stock up.

It may be only me, but I think the 10K change interval is WAY LOW! Does this mean that the MoCo realizes they have issues with the injections or ECM requiring frequent changes.

I installed the NGK Iridiums a week ago. Reading this post, I'll have to check Delphi technical information to see if only the OEM plugs can be used. I guess is that it is only a dealership rumor to keep you changing them out.

 

[HoneyB]

I have been running the NGK Iridium plugs, for 2 years now, with no problems. I do however have an '04 model.
I think the newer model years had a problem with them.

 

[bikerider58]

Yes, I agree that using other spark plugs won't be an issue.

http://www.hdtalking.com/diagnostics_and_fuel_injection_related/762-ion_sensing_explained.html


http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/t...cussion/118391-ngk-iridium-spark-plugs-9.html

If the ECM throws a code it may be a combination of several changes.

 

[AOW]

if you read the fine details in the service manual, it states to remove, inspect, clean, regap, and replace IF THE PLUGS SHOW SIGNS OF DAMAGE.
I pulled mine at 11k, cleaned, regapped, and reinstalled. I will be pulling them in about another 1k to read and inspect.

 

[bikerider58]

if you read the fine details in the service manual, it states to remove, inspect, clean, regap, and replace IF THE PLUGS SHOW SIGNS OF DAMAGE.

Oh, the owners manual service intervals is marked as replace, not inspect every 10K miles or 16KM.

 

[AOW]

Oh, the owners manual service intervals is marked as replace, not inspect every 10K miles or 16KM.

you are correct. I was going off the actual Service Manual instructions

 

[MY100]

That sounds like a load of BS to me....

I have run the non iridium NGK plugs for like 4 years now with no dramas what so ever.

They are plugs.... Provided they are the right temp plugs and the gap is right it cannot hurt the bike.

 

[jimlowe]

That sounds like a load of BS to me....

I have run the non iridium NGK plugs for like 4 years now with no dramas what so ever.

They are plugs.... Provided they are the right temp plugs and the gap is right it cannot hurt the bike.

I agree.

 

[Z16monte]

Pretty sure the "ion sensing" spaek control has a preprogrammed resistance value assigned to the plu. Changing brands, or heat ranges, for that matter, could trick the ecm into seeing(or not seeing) cylinder conditions that aen't there, causing to either retard timing unnecessarily or not retard timing when needed, possibly causing engine damage. No, the plugs may not cause a problem but they could contribute to it.
Ed

 

[morvegil]

I use NGK..i think they are better.

 

[HoneyB]

That sounds like a load of BS to me....

I have run the non iridium NGK plugs for like 4 years now with no dramas what so ever.

They are plugs.... Provided they are the right temp plugs and the gap is right it cannot hurt the bike.

It's the Iridium plugs that were questionable for some later model years.