Spark Plug Gap...

[buellzebub]

Just received my service kit from Motorworks and decided to give the NGK BKR 7EIX 2667 Iridiums a try; they're the ones with the 'needle-fine' electrode. Does anyone know what the correct gap should be? Bike is a 2000 R1150GS, single spark.
Many thanks.

Mick

livin' the dream

 

[Tarka]

What does one's manual say ?


Mind you,I've never known plug gaps to be anything other than 0.6mm-0.8mm.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Gap them the same as normal plugs - the NGK ones come pre-gapped at 0.6mm.

Andres

 

[The Grey One]

Just received my service kit from Motorworks and decided to give the NGK BKR 7EIX 2667 Iridiums a try; they're the ones with the 'needle-fine' electrode. Does anyone know what the correct gap should be? Bike is a 2000 R1150GS, single spark.
Many thanks.

Mick

livin' the dream

Just fit the things! Life is too short to worry about it. The gap will be fine unless you have dropped them from a height-in which case throw them away and buy some more.

John

 

[buellzebub]

Thanks John, I know what you're saying!
However, I'm a bit fussy and like things to be 'right'. The manual does indeed say 0.8mm, but that's for a standard 'fat' electrode plug. As these have the 'needle' electrode I wondered if they should have a different gap.
Thanks Andres, you're probably right.
Mick

livin' the dream

 

[The Grey One]

Thanks John, I know what you're saying!
However, I'm a bit fussy and like things to be 'right'. The manual does indeed say 0.8mm, but that's for a standard 'fat' electrode plug. As these have the 'needle' electrode I wondered if they should have a different gap.
Thanks Andres, you're probably right.
Mick

livin' the dream

I started using NGK plugs in 1978 (in cars) after having problems with another make. I did check the gaps at first but soon gave up. The Japanese might not always make the best but they are good at consistency, every plug I checked had the right gap. From then on I only gave a visual check to make sure there was no damage. In 30 years we never had a bad plug. As I said life is too short-and the bike is for riding!

John

 

[ian6760]

I tend to use my thumb nail, it must be somewhere between 0.6 - 0.8 mm

 

[buellzebub]

I tend to use my thumb nail, it must be somewhere between 0.6 - 0.8 mm

Ah, but assuming you are British how do you know you have a metric nail, depending on when you were born your nail may well be imperial and calibrated in thou!

Mick

livin' the dream

 

[ian6760]

Ah, but assuming you are British how do you know you have a metric nail, depending on when you were born your nail may well be imperial and calibrated in thou!

Mick

livin' the dream

Do not fear, I was born in the 70's and unstand both, my left thumb is imperial and my right thumb is metric.

 

[Smug]

Spark plug gap is 0.8mm or 0.031". NGK plugs are normally set at this gap. 0.6mm would be too small.

 

[MattW]

I've used those plugs for years and have always just fitted them straight out of the box.

 

[uncle dick]

Just checked NGK's website and it says 0.9mm. Don't assume they will come pre-gapped. These Japanese types may be clever but they can't predict what engine their products are being fitted to.

And, whatever you do, don't use the centre electrode as some sort of levering post when setting the gap

 

[buellzebub]

Just checked NGK's website and it says 0.9mm........

Now why didn't I think of that
Sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees.... that's where this forum comes to the rescue. Thanks guys

Mick

livin' the dream

 

[The Grey One]

Just checked NGK's website and it says 0.9mm. Don't assume they will come pre-gapped. These Japanese types may be clever but they can't predict what engine their products are being fitted to.

And, whatever you do, don't use the centre electrode as some sort of levering post when setting the gap

They will be gapped at the right spec for those plugs, manufactures will specify plugs to suit the engine so the standard gap will be fine. So much angst over nothing-just fit the correct grade of plugs . The days of gapping plugs yourself went out with points and condensers

John

 

[uncle dick]

They will be gapped at the right spec for those plugs, manufactures will specify plugs to suit the engine so the standard gap will be fine. So much angst over nothing-just fit the correct grade of plugs . The days of gapping plugs yourself went out with points and condensers

John

BMW never specified this type of plug for this engine. The plug in question fits a range of engines - not all motorcycles - with different engine management types, or, indeed, points and condensers.

We're not talking huge differences in performance but if the OP wasn't bothered too much either way, he wouldn't have bought an uprated - and more expensive - plug. He asked for advice and I gave it.

FYI, I fit plugs every day, and every one is gapped. You may also like to note that some engines require the plug to be fitted with the earth electrode facing a certain direction. I suppose you won't be bothering with that either

 

[cookie]

You may also like to note that some engines require the plug to be fitted with the earth electrode facing a certain direction.

AAMOI how would you do that? shim it?

 

[The Grey One]

BMW never specified this type of plug for this engine. The plug in question fits a range of engines - not all motorcycles - with different engine management types, or, indeed, points and condensers.

We're not talking huge differences in performance but if the OP wasn't bothered too much either way, he wouldn't have bought an uprated - and more expensive - plug. He asked for advice and I gave it.

FYI, I fit plugs every day, and every one is gapped. You may also like to note that some engines require the plug to be fitted with the earth electrode facing a certain direction. I suppose you won't be bothering with that either

How right you are,Nor do I only fit them on a Wednesday whilst standing on one leg a whistling a tune! (partly, it has to be admitted , because I have never been able to whistle) The OP, as you said, asked for advice. I too gave it. My advice was based on 30 years experience in the motor trade. I ran a small garage with 3 mechanics so I guess we fitted more than a few plugs over the years. Once I started using NGK plugs and found them consistent in their gaps I saw no need for anything other than a visual check. If you really think that a difference in gap of 0.1 mm with have any effect then please just carry on measuring them, most people would not be capable of accurately measuring that small a difference anyway. My opinion is that so small a difference will have no measurable effect.

The thing about asking advice is that you hopefully get a range of opinions and can draw a conclusion that is helpful. That my opinion is different from yours does not make it wrong.

John

 

[uncle dick]

AAMOI how would you do that? shim it?

It's pretty new but Honda are using 4 different part numbers for the same plug in order for them to be correctly indexed. I saw a Denso presentation on this and they're supplying Nissan with similar products.

Current practice in race engines would be to selectively fit or to shim if there's no alternative.

 

[cookie]

It's pretty new but Honda are using 4 different part numbers for the same plug in order for them to be correctly indexed. I saw a Denso presentation on this and they're supplying Nissan with similar products.

Current practice in race engines would be to selectively fit or to shim if there's no alternative.

thanks. interesting

 

[hank]

You may also like to note that some engines require the plug to be fitted with the earth electrode facing a certain direction. I suppose you won't be bothering with that either

I always align the earth electrode with the nearest ley line to my direction of travel. This can cause issues when changing direction but it only takes two minutes to realiign them using a compass and the relevant OS map.

Running with the electrodes aligned with local ley lines I get 90mpg and I am able to pull wheelies in top gear.