Pictures tell a story

[Canyon]

So tell me (cuz I'm not a real gear head) what these Plugs are saying...

Left Rear - .35 gap


Left Front - .35 gap


Right Front - .32 gap


Right Rear - .36 gap



I highly suspected these to be factory installed and at 25 years old to be a bear to come out. One of them I didn't even use the ratchet on. Super easy out, almost too easy.

[BlueFordTruck]

Are you saying these are the original factory plugs?!?! How many miles on the bike? There condition looks normal with normal wear, a little wet but that's fine. There telling you that the motor is running correctly.

It is normal for bike plugs to back out after a while, unlike a cars head. That happened to me on my CX500, I didnt check the plugs for 3 years and I know I torqued em and when I checked em this year they were pretty loose.

[Canyon]

Ah, shoulda mentioned 15K on the odometer. Good to know about the plugs able to back out. If they look normal then I feel better about all the rust, just cosmetic and hopefully easily buffed out.

Mechanics first, then "show me" factor.

[BlueFordTruck]

I dont see any rust, except on the peddles Is that an 1100? what year? I like the paint job.

Yeah its a good idea to always check the plugs at least once a year.

I think that some one else put these plugs in before you bought it, thinking about it theres no way even with only 15k that a plug would look that good...

[BlueFordTruck]

just read it... nice 86 bro! I gotta ask, dose the tranny slip out of 3rd?

I got my 86 1100 in febuary and I was lucky to get one with a good tranny.

[Helek_52]

That first one (left rear) doesn't even look used. If it weren't for the scratches on the flats, i'd think it was new. Amazing for 15K and 25 years.

[Canyon]

Engine, forks, rims, rear brake drum all have that white scaly rust. I think it's rust anyway. I've read a few posts how to clean it. My sig pic is too far away to really see it. It's an 86 VT1100. Some things like the chrome headlight I'll have to replace (unless I can polish that up too) I don't mind the ugly looks so much right now. Price was great, I traded a laptop for it and have about $700 in parts, helmets, inspection & registration. Basically litterally only $700 into the whole "bike concept". I made out for sure. Once I'm convinced she's mechanically sound I'll work on make her pretty again.

Here's the scaly stuff I'm talking about.

[Canyon]

Originally Posted by BlueFordTruck

just read it... nice 86 bro! I gotta ask, dose the tranny slip out of 3rd?

I got my 86 1100 in febuary and I was lucky to get one with a good tranny.

No slips that I've noticed. Only thing I'm noticing is the lack of power. But I'm still not sure about that either. Last bike I was on was a 1602 Roadstar, and now I'm on this 1100.

Doesn't pull up long hills like the Roadie did, but again.... my first 1100

[93gc40]

The white crude on the aluminum is Oxidation, aluminum doesn't rust, it corrodes. Steal rust and rust is redish brown. Good metal polish, a bunch of elbow grease, that will clean up. Plugs look good, if you reuse gap all to .035, the 3/8" gaps you have above are too big.

[Eldorado]

Spark Plugs

Good info to have