| Motorcycles and Twowheelers: Bike maintenance - "What You Need to Know About Spark Plugs" Friday, 21 November, 2008 | Home | Suggest a Link |
Royal Enfield Motorcycles - To India and Back
There is much to learn about motorcycle spark plugs. Actually, there is more than meets the eyes.
First, let us distinguish the important difference in spark plugs' threaded ends. They come in four diameters and lengths. They come in nominal 14, 10, 12 and 18 millimeters diameters. previously, there was a slight difference in thread configuration especially in different countries. However, the international standardization of the thread forms made it uniform. These new dimensions are now being followed by motorcycle parts manufacturers.
There can be lots of error in selecting the best motorcycle parts, especially in the case of spark plugs. The very usual error is using ¾-inch plugs in ½-inch holes. The result of doing this is horrible. When the plug threads are exposed in combustion, they become filled with deposits. Consequently, it will be hard to remove the plug without removing the whole threads.
Quite the reverse, if you use a short plug into a deep hole, the deposit will fill the hole and it will be hard to re-install the right size of plug.
The worst error is the use of overly-long plug. The exposed threads absorb a great amount of heat from the combustion process which improve the plug-nose temperatures. As a consequence, the side electrode functions as a glow plug. Early ignition or runaway pre-ignition causes higher combustion chamber temperatures that can destroy the engine.
Hot plugs come with a long insular nose. They lead heat high into the plug body before it returns to the cylinder head. Short-nosed plugs, on the other hand, have a shorter heat path. Consulting the spark plug manufacturers regarding the plug's heat range can be of great help.
This may somehow clear the cobwebs at the back of your mind regarding heat range demands. Knowing which plugs are colder or hotter may be easy if you stick to the same brand. However, it becomes perplexing when you change from one brand to another.
There is more to spark plugs than the three above mentioned aspects. There are still areas that we need to master like installation, different plug configurations and maintenance work. Nonetheless, we have to be first acquainted with these three aspects.
You must know more about spark plugs to pick the best type. Also, you have to complement your choice with your bike engine's condition. These factors are hard to acquire and do, thus, we have to instil lots facts all at once. When you get it right, you will be greatly benefited.
Do just about anything to your motorcycle, but forget the most basic and fundamental additive - Oil - and your wallet could be hanging loose for a long time.
How often you change the oil, the level you fill it up to and the kind of oil you use all make the difference between a bike that lasts and a bike that doesn't!
These are a few of the most basic tips when it comes to oil and motorcycles...
Over time and with prolonged use the integrity of the oil breaks down. Varies forces at work within
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The tachometer or the rev counter tells the speed of the engine of the motorcycle in revolutions per minute (RPM). Common nowadays are electronic rev counters that can be installed by the dealers you get them from. But for used motorcycle parts, rev counters usually come in just any wrapping without instructions or diagrams. In cases like these, you may install your rev counter with the following instructions to help you.
The very first step is to move the headlight away. This is a great help later on in avoiding some mistakes and will definitely help you finish faster. If you
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Part and parcel of owning a bike is maintaining its appearance and its capability. Nevertheless, despite making sure that the parts and cables of the motorcycle give us maximum service, we cannot but accept that they have their own warranties and lifetimes.
Unlike artwork or antiques, motorcycles are made to be used and abused. With all the elements found in the environment, a motorcycle part will definitely have its final day. When that day comes and you don't have enough money to buy new ones, why not settle for used motorcycle parts, e.g. cables? With a little tinkering and proper installation,
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The most common types of bearings are wheel bearings. Motorcycle wheels have them, so do skateboards. The bearings help give you a smooth ride.
It was no less than Renaissance man himself, Leonardo Da Vinci who described a type of wheel bearing in his studies in the beginning of the 16th century. The invention of the wheel bearing, alongside the other inventions of the rebirth, is one of the most significant heirlooms of the era that have changed little over time. Leonardo da Vinci is said to have described a type of wheel bearing around the year 1500.
If you're wondering what
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You may ask yourself, what is a motorcycle fork stabilizer and why do I need one for my motorcycle? These are very reasonable questions to ask, especially since you have expected the motorcycle manufacturer to have given your motorcycle the highest performance suspension components available. I hope to answer these questions and many more within this motorcycle fork stabilizer article.
I first became aware of motorcycle fork stabilizers from the
Cycle Solutions (www.CycleSolutions.net) motorcycle
forums. Several members of the forum suggested that this was an
aftermarket part to install on your motorcycle. Being both
curious and ignorant I asked questions. Is this
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