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Spark Plugs - Which one and what's the difference?
Posted: November 1st, 2007, 8:15 am
by madmcnish
Hello everyone,
The standard NGK plug for the CR500 is a BR8EG, correct?
I bought my bike from the previous owner fitted with an NGK BR6ES.
I understand with NGK plugs that the LOWER the number, the HOTTER the plug.
Therefore, my plug runs HOTTER than the recommended plug, yes?
It starts 1st kick and runs OK at low RPM, but I've not had a chance to give her the beans yet as I'm trying to sort out a few coolant leaks.
Also haven't checked the jetting to see if it's standard.
NGK recommend that if in any doubt a COLDER plug should be used, as damage could occur to the motor if it runs too hot.
Should I change over to the BR8EG plug IMMEDIATELY?
My local Halfords (UK auto store) only had BR8ES plugs in stock, so I bought one of those today.
What's the difference between the 'EG' and the 'ES' marked plugs?
Confused?
I am!
Posted: November 1st, 2007, 11:41 am
by ou812
To be running a 6 you must be way rich, put a 8 in and start jetting your bike.
Posted: November 1st, 2007, 11:49 am
by AlisoBob
ES is the "Stangard" center electrode
EG is the nickel " Fine Wire" center electrode.
8EG is the way to go.
Re: Spark Plugs - Which one and what's the difference?
Posted: November 1st, 2007, 1:45 pm
by bigpower
madmcnish wrote:
I bought my bike from the previous owner fitted with an NGK BR6ES.
Eric Gorr recommends the "6" heat range in his tuning tips for 90-01 CR500. But I've used 8's forever without too many issues.
My personal favorites are the projected nose variety, BPR8ES.
Have yet to foul one of those bad boys, they usually get replaced every 5 rides, no matter what.
Posted: November 1st, 2007, 4:27 pm
by madmcnish
Fitted the BR8ES plug tonight.
Still kicks-up 1st time, no problems.
When the 6 was fitted, the bike would barely idle, even with the choke (idle) lever screwed right out (ie choke probably on) and adjusting the air screw didn't seem to have any effect.
The bike would just die if I attepted to screw the choke lever in.
With the 8 fitted, it idles no problem with the choke (idle) lever turned out a few turns and adjusting the air screw now has an effect!
I've got the air screw at 1 and a half turns out as per the standard settings (my bike has a PJ carb).
Should simply changing over the plugs have such a noticeable effect?
I've not had a chance to give the bike a run-out yet to see how the current jetting performs throughout the rev range, will hopefully get out this weekend.
I've temporarily plugged the leak in my LHS radiator using 'rad-weld' liquid radiator sealant, but I really need to get a new rad.
Hope it holds for now.
Cheers!
Posted: November 1st, 2007, 7:11 pm
by 100hp honda
ill tell you a secret. br8eix is where its at my brotha
Posted: November 1st, 2007, 7:17 pm
by MojoScojo
100hp honda wrote:ill tell you a secret. br8eix is where its at my brotha
There has to be more to this story. I had another guy recommend this to me. They are spendy as far as spark plugs go. I bought a couple. Fouled the first one in a couple hours. Fouled another one in 20 minutes. It was a thick black soot. Put back a spare BR8ES, and it's still there 5 rides later looking peachy keen. I don't get it. El cheapo standard plug worked better for me than the spendy Iridium. What am I missing?
Posted: November 2nd, 2007, 8:30 am
by jbird_710
A good bit of info on most everything to know about spark plugs:
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_suppo ... p?mode=nml
Posted: November 2nd, 2007, 9:22 am
by MojoScojo
Awesome link jbird!
Unfortunately, the more I learn, the more confused I become.

Posted: November 2nd, 2007, 1:00 pm
by jbird_710
MojoScojo wrote:
Unfortunately, the more I learn, the more confused I become.

Right there with ya bud!
Hijack - figured out how to use the software that came with the camera but still haven't made time to try the way you described. On vacation this week and trying to keep things low-tech.
Posted: November 2nd, 2007, 2:04 pm
by bigpower
I had those BPR7EIX in for a while. For 5 bux, they suck.
Gimme the el cheapo buc fiddy ES any friggin day of the week.
Posted: November 2nd, 2007, 4:40 pm
by ou812
ill tell you a secret. br8eix is where its at my brotha
Wooo for a second there I was thinking Icat and one of those new fangle power bands
Posted: November 15th, 2007, 6:02 am
by Roostmaster
B9EGV for me always, Ive chernobyled from a iridium 8 along with the constant plug foulings and a B10EGV for flat out rides like the finke or the drags, but its hot here and we pull long hauls at high speeds.
It all depends on the type of riding you do.
Posted: November 15th, 2007, 6:41 am
by Nodge
Are the shorty plugs available in 9's or 10's?
What short plug is everybody using on their aluminum bikes?
I'm going to have to special order a box of the shorty's, because I can't even find stock plugs for my CBR 900 around here.
Posted: November 19th, 2007, 9:45 pm
by Coasty
Nodge wrote:Are the shorty plugs available in 9's or 10's?
What short plug is everybody using on their aluminum bikes?
I'm going to have to special order a box of the shorty's, because I can't even find stock plugs for my CBR 900 around here.
The BR8ECM aka "Shorty Plug" come standard in alot of KTM's so any dealer should be able to hook you up. I personally had really crappy luck with those. I could get it to last about 5 hours then foul them out. I went back to the BR8EG and I've had it in there for over 20 hours. For me it was easier to "massage" the bottom of the tank a smidge more to clear the taller EG plug than to chance another one of those bitches on the side of the trail...
Posted: November 19th, 2007, 10:04 pm
by britincali
I use the irridium shorty in both bikes and havent fouled one yet.
Its th Eix version
Posted: November 20th, 2007, 6:51 am
by Nodge
Thanks.
Im sure I can massage the tank a little too.
Plus I'll gain a couple extra thou' from the head shaving! Tee hee hee.
Posted: December 31st, 2007, 9:00 pm
by highdezman
Hey guys im doing my home work and noticed you guys mention a short plug for better clearance. Can you help me out with some suggestions? I just bought my 97 500 donner bike. Gen 2 frame. thanks In advance.
Posted: January 26th, 2008, 5:24 am
by MICK
MojoScojo wrote:
There has to be more to this story. I had another guy recommend this to me. They are spendy as far as spark plugs go. I bought a couple. Fouled the first one in a couple hours. Fouled another one in 20 minutes. It was a thick black soot. Put back a spare BR8ES, and it's still there 5 rides later looking peachy keen. I don't get it. El cheapo standard plug worked better for me than the spendy Iridium. What am I missing?
You know that is exactly what happened to me. I also spent a shit ton of money for NGK iridiums for my truck too...didn't run for crap either. I mentioned this on the other board and I thought somebody would light me up for it. I've also got an RC51 and it just about won't run if it DOESN'T have iridiums...funny
Yeah cheapo plugs are the way to go it seems in my application. My bike apparently is happy with the 8ES.
Posted: January 26th, 2008, 9:22 am
by pstoffers
B8es on stock bike.
B9es on NOS bike.
MY

Posted: January 27th, 2008, 8:01 am
by kkvslayer
When I bought mine it had a br9eya,One of my buddies gave me a Br8eg, seems to work the best for me,but I've used 8es,9es,9ecs,Keep it fresh and it don't really matter,I myself havn't fouled a plug yet,I just change it every week or two.