leedutcher
xsive to the bone!!!
for about 3 years now i have run plugs that i have cut the electrode in half like this.. i figured sence this is a small bike that get decent mpg already y not get more!! gas is pricey and everyone could save as much as they can. cutting back the grounding electrode on spark plugs to improve performance, some kind of old school racing trick. Sounded cheap and easy enough, I was interested to try it out.
Using my Black & Decker dremel- type tool with a cut- off wheel, I clamped a plug bottom up in a vise. Then putting on my 5- power magnifier, I successfully cut the electrode back flush to the center electrode
I set the gap with the wire gauge to 30mm between the electrodes, which is really at the edge of the center electrode. Repeat three more times, hit the threads with a little copper based anti thread seize, and that was it.
Rode away the next morning, and felt as if the bike was more responsive, but I couldn't swear to that. But I was real happy it was running like a Rolex watch.
1400 miles later, I do the math concerning gas mileage. Now, I always for years get 34mpg on my xs11. I was noticing during that 1400 mile run- up, when I stopped for gas every 100 miles or so, it took less to top off than I was used to or expecting. Well, 127 miles, 3.4 gallons to top off, that works out for me to be 37.5 mpg on my 11. I'll take it!
I've made no other changes in weight, speed, drag, that I'm aware of, other than tires.
Using my Black & Decker dremel- type tool with a cut- off wheel, I clamped a plug bottom up in a vise. Then putting on my 5- power magnifier, I successfully cut the electrode back flush to the center electrode
I set the gap with the wire gauge to 30mm between the electrodes, which is really at the edge of the center electrode. Repeat three more times, hit the threads with a little copper based anti thread seize, and that was it.
Rode away the next morning, and felt as if the bike was more responsive, but I couldn't swear to that. But I was real happy it was running like a Rolex watch.
1400 miles later, I do the math concerning gas mileage. Now, I always for years get 34mpg on my xs11. I was noticing during that 1400 mile run- up, when I stopped for gas every 100 miles or so, it took less to top off than I was used to or expecting. Well, 127 miles, 3.4 gallons to top off, that works out for me to be 37.5 mpg on my 11. I'll take it!
I've made no other changes in weight, speed, drag, that I'm aware of, other than tires.