Life of spark plugs and leads

[julianop]

How long should spark plugs and leads last?

I put in a new set of stock plugs when I bought my 2006 two years ago with around 29,000 miles on the clock. I'm almost certain the leads were still original at that time. The bike now has nearly 57800 on it, and I am sensing some slight roughness, especially when cold. Should I try new plugs? What about leads?

Also, I last rode last Wednesday evening, but starting up this Monday morning the bike was reluctant to fire. It cranked perfectly well, but took a while to "catch". It seemed to me like fuel starvation in that the firing was very weak for a while. It would "sort of" fire while the starter was running, but on releasing the button the engine would die. After coaxing it a few times (taking care not to burn out the starter) it would finally catch. There is never any hint of starvation once it is running, and if the bike has been run within 24 hours it starts up first blip; really - first blip.

Any recommendations ?

[Cholla]

Turn petcock to PRIME. Wait a few seconds, start bike.

[T Cro ®]

First off are you using the prime position on the petcock for starting after sitting 24 hours?

Are you using the choke when starting after sitting 24 hours?

Plugs can last a really long time depending on the type but they all do age over time. Remove them and check the gap is it within spec? I always set plugs on the tight end of the spec at 0.6  mm or .024" as they will open up over time.

Do wires and boots age? Why do you think I sell the Stick Coil Upgrade? Yes high voltage wires age and build up corrosion at all points of connection 2 per wire. These rob you of a solid strong spark.

Also the battery can be suspect too as while it may have enough energy to spin the motor it may not have enough voltage left to fire the ignition system when starting. What is your voltage while cranking? If it is falling below 12 while starting that can also be part of an issue; couple that with slightly weak spark and under filled carb bowls on a cold morning and your bike may just not want to come to life without a lot of spinning of the motor.

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

valve adjustment. If you haven't been doing them, the bike is telling you "it's time" Steve

[julianop]

Turn petcock to PRIME. Wait a few seconds, start bike.

Ah, what a dimwit; of course

Thank you. Where's a wet fish when I deserve one? 

[julianop]

First off are you using the prime position on the petcock for starting after sitting 24 hours?

Are you using the choke when starting after sitting 24 hours?

Plugs can last a really long time depending on the type but they all do age over time. Remove them and check the gap is it within spec? I always set plugs on the tight end of the spec at 0.6  mm or .024" as they will open up over time.

Do wires and boots age? Why do you think I sell the Stick Coil Upgrade? Yes high voltage wires age and build up corrosion at all points of connection 2 per wire. These rob you of a solid strong spark.

Also the battery can be suspect too as while it may have enough energy to spin the motor it may not have enough voltage left to fire the ignition system when starting. What is your voltage while cranking? If it is falling below 12 while starting that can also be part of an issue; couple that with slightly weak spark and under filled carb bowls on a cold morning and your bike may just not want to come to life without a lot of spinning of the motor.

Petcock: no, but I will from now on :-)
Choke: absolutely and unconditionally. It won't start without it in the mornings. I can start it without choke when I ride at lunch times, and if I leave on time in the afternoon, and if I've just popped into the grocery store, but in the mornings I need choke, period.

I'll check plugs, and yes, I'll save for your sticks.

Stick coil kit: I have other experiences of spark fade at high RPM, so unless the existing electronics has some magic in it I would anticipate value in your kit at high end. Do you see benefit at all RPMs, or particularly at high end?

Battery: yes, I've been beginning to suspect it for other reasons: I see a noticeable cycling in headlight intensity when I'm using my Gerbing heated clothing controller (while I'm also working on my own intelligent controller), and the battery let me down after a ten day layover two months ago. Admittedly I had a USB power adapter hooked up over that time, but still... It's dated 7/2010, so while it's not old it could easily be aging. My digital panel voltmeter doesn't show that cycling - its time delay is too long - but after cranking and starting the engine after a couple of days idle the voltmeter shows less than 12V and flashes a warning.

The battery issue should perhaps have been more obvious, but starting has been a little difficult after a couple days down right from the day I bought it two years ago, when the battery was only a year old.

My guess is that while the battery is weakening, and the plugs may be aging, the main culprit is simply that I haven't been priming the carbs. 

[julianop]

valve adjustment. If you haven't been doing them, the bike is telling you "it's time" Steve

Hmmm... well, it's probably getting close to 15,000 miles since I did them; do you think it's worth a look?

[Summit670]

I believe the owners manual says like 7000 or so between valve adjustments.  I've done so many valve adjustments on my 87 I've learned that I can double that and probably be good.  So far, when I go about 12,000 I do it just to be safe and I end up adjusting a few that are slightly out.

No disrespect, but I don't think you've owned that bike long enough to prove to you that extended adjustment intervals will work.  Just a thought.

I know age will effect the wires/caps/coils and I suspect mileage factors in to.

I would adjust valves and see if it gets better.  Test the plug caps/wires and coils next.

Just replace the plugs each time you do a valve adjustment.  You're right there anyhow and it's only $8-10.

On the other hand, I'm no expert and I'm dealing with occasional hard starting now so I'm watching to gain knowledge myself.

[julianop]

I believe the owners manual says like 7000 or so between valve adjustments.  I've done so many valve adjustments on my 87 I've learned that I can double that and probably be good.  So far, when I go about 12,000 I do it just to be safe and I end up adjusting a few that are slightly out.

12,000, huh? Well I know I'm well past that! He said, as a guilty feeling washes over him

No disrespect, but I don't think you've owned that bike long enough to prove to you that extended adjustment intervals will work.  Just a thought.

No, indeed I haven't, and I hadn't set out to prove any such thing of course... it's just amazing, though, how time and miles run away with a chap when the bike is used as a commuter vehicle - 850 miles on a "good" week.

I would adjust valves and see if it gets better.  Test the plug caps/wires and coils next.

Just replace the plugs each time you do a valve adjustment.  You're right there anyhow and it's only $8-10.

Yup, I will do that. It will be interesting to know how far they've shifted; I was blown away with how bad they were the first time.

On the other hand, I'm no expert and I'm dealing with occasional hard starting now so I'm watching to gain knowledge myself.

Well this is the perfect place, is it not, for us to learn and share? I may have come a long way with my machine in two years, but I've barely scratched the surface, both in riding skills and in maintenance.