Recommended Spark Plugs

When I get some free wrench time, I'm ordering that head.
NICE engine set-up.

Thanks, Paul. And the heads do look good, don't they? I'll keep everyone posted on performance etc.
After seeing EnFlamED's video here earlier, I wish I could add a SBP shift kit, but I need the bikes momentum to bump-start the engine, especially with the billet head. I couldn't pedal hard enough to turn it over otherwise. (50kg and bad lungs.)

A couple more pics. I just changed the front engine mount to include the small curved black steel brace as shown, plus 2 x 1/8" and 1 x 1/16" layers of rubber to absorb vibration. This is an alloy frame, so the steel reinforcing brace is a must, otherwise the (high-tensile) bolt might pull through the wall of the tube, in time.
For anyone without a decent exhaust bracket, this is one easy way to do it. Don't rely on the 2 x 6mm studs to hold the weight of the exhaust.
I used 1mm aluminium.
These pics also show where I added rubber blocks to the cylinder and head fins to stop ringing.
I'm a bit ashamed of my handlebar view, see all of the junk, but I wouldn't do without any of it. (The speedo shows 218km, but I did 150km before it was fitted, total 368km.)

... Steve
 

Attachments

  • Bike Jan 2010 370km.jpg
    Bike Jan 2010 370km.jpg
    88.6 KB · Views: 248
  • Handlebar View.jpg
    Handlebar View.jpg
    57.9 KB · Views: 202
  • Cylinder Fin Rubbers.jpg
    Cylinder Fin Rubbers.jpg
    89.8 KB · Views: 259
  • Exhaust Bracket Engine Mount.jpg
    Exhaust Bracket Engine Mount.jpg
    72.3 KB · Views: 251
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanx for the feedback , guys! That head ROCKS! Really like the slim design air filter also. Is that a dry or wet filter? Kinda reminds of the K&N type-Gearhead
 
Hello gearhead222, sorry for hijacking your thread. Couldn't help showing off the improvements. (The plug is a B5HS, though. I've alternated between that and the B6HS as I tuned the carb. The B5HS runs cleanest for me.)
The filter is a dry element. Not sure what it's made of. Not paper. Really good flow and a beautiful fit. (No more leak at the base of the air filter. Also, my stock filter distorted when I did the screws up properly and leaked even more. In a dusty area.....)
Pablo can probably tell you more about their construction. All I can say is that for $14US, they're well worth the effort.

Do K&N still exist. I used to buy their stuff for my dirt bikes about 30 years ago. (Bultaco Matador 250, Bultaco Pursang 250 and for a while, a Bultaco Sherpa T 360. All had Mikuni carbs and K&N filters.)

Yep, a European bike nut. My favourite was a GT850 Ducati. Almost bought a Ducati 'Monster' when they came out, but saw reason and abstained.

... Steve

A pic of the B5HS after about 20km. Pre billet head etc.
The greyish tint on the insulator is only the ceramic showing through, not a lean mix.:-
attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • Tan Plug.jpg
    Tan Plug.jpg
    12.7 KB · Views: 331
Last edited:
it is my experience that the plug doesn't make much difference. I guess I could say the engine feels a little smoother with the b6 or b5 ngk plug.... but it always feels stronger with the chinese plugs that come with the motor.
 
it is my experience that the plug doesn't make much difference. I guess I could say the engine feels a little smoother with the b6 or b5 ngk plug.... but it always feels stronger with the chinese plugs that come with the motor.

Maybe you got a better quality plug with your kit. I tried mine for about 2 short rides. It ran too cold and oiled up quickly, especially with the run-in mix of 16:1. Even the B6HS ran a little dark, hence the B5HS.
If nothing else, you can expect much better reliability with NGK.
Not sure about the smoother/stronger bit.

As an extra note, the stock plugs are every bit as high a quality as the rest of the kit. Ha, ha. I'd be suspicious of cracks in the insulators and other minor faults that might cause tracking etc. The more bits of these things that can be replaced by decent parts, the better. Some plugs might be good, but others.....

... Steve
 
Last edited:
Maybe you got a better quality plug with your kit. I tried mine for about 2 short rides. It ran too cold and oiled up quickly, especially with the run-in mix of 16:1. Even the B6HS ran a little dark, hence the B5HS.
If nothing else, you can expect much better reliability with NGK.
Not sure about the smoother/stronger bit.

As an extra note, the stock plugs are every bit as high a quality as the rest of the kit. Ha, ha. I'd be suspicious of cracks in the insulators and other minor faults that might cause tracking etc. The more bits of these things that can be replaced by decent parts, the better. Some plugs might be good, but others.....

... Steve

the ngk plugs are definitely better quality... no doubt. You're are right, the stock plugs are every bit as quality as the rest of the kit.

I was just talking from a performance point of view.... what I feel in the seat of my pants if you know what i mean.
 
I was gonna PM, Paul, (Pablo), but couldn't attach pics. (Plus I wanted others to see how decent vendors conduct themselves.) You guys have won me.
The thread on the studs was beautiful. I fitted both flat and spring washers with a couple of mm to spare, just as it should be. Previously, even with just a flat washer, the nut wouldn't fully tighten down on the stud.
Once again, thanks for the help.
For anyone reading this, Sick Bike Parts are #1 for parts and service.

... Steve

I posted this in another thread yesterday:-
(I didn't screw the studs in too hard. They started to bind a bit before bottoming. Nothing wrong with the studs, I think there was a bit of loose metal in the bottom of the holes. Didn't want to strip anything. The nearest one protrudes the furthest, the others are about 1mm closer.)

attachment.php

QUOTE STEVE: For anyone reading this, Sick Bike Parts are #1 for parts and service.
CaptJ will 2nd that! My last order took three days. Not to mention there new TEFLON COATED CLUTCH CABLE that I orderd.
I waiting for a clutch roller from AL.Fisherman with the roller and teflon cable should be s-l-i-c-k.....
 
Yep, Ron, (Al.Fisherman), is another one with his head screwed on right. Good choice.
I've spent 3 months now, working out who to deal with and, possibly more importantly, who not to deal with.
To improve your clutch still further, see this thread.

... Steve
 
I will third that... every part I have gotten from sick bikes has been the best quality, fairly priced, and it always ships fast. The clutch roller from al is awesome... so worth every penny, you will love it. Dont even need the teflon cable, its that good.
 
I will third that... every part I have gotten from sick bikes has been the best quality, fairly priced, and it always ships fast. The clutch roller from al is awesome... so worth every penny, you will love it. Dont even need the teflon cable, its that good.

This stuff should really be in 'Parts and Accessories' or 'Vendor Reviews', but I'm sure that people get the idea. My SBP and RSE reviews are coming. (They may differ slightly.)

... Steve
 
Back
Top