reading a spark plug rich/lean

[saladboy]

i have a 85 250r.i am trying to figure out if it is running rich/lean.i've read if the plug is white or gray it lean and tan is good. this my sound dumb but what part of the plug do i look at? if you look at a brand new plug you have the side electrode and then you have the white insulator incasing the center electrode.today i rode around for about 1/2 hour or so then i checked the plug the insulater was dark tan/dark brown the rest of the plug look shiney new with maybe a little wet oiley on the lower threads is that good? does anyone have a pic of what a good plug should look like,my manual has pics but they are in black and white.

[Killabee]

Read the thread at the top of this forum "CARB JETTING 101" you should find your answers there.

[night4creeper]

Google is your friend, THIS should get you started as far as reading the plugs (http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/spark_plugs_catalog.html).

[lndy650]

the color of cardboard with a little oil stain is perfect. from the sound of yours its maybe a little rich but if it runs good that way leave it a little rich wont hurt anything

[Dirtcrasher]

I'd get the jetting as spot on as possible. Two strokes foul plugs unexpectadely if the jetting isn't right.

Oil on the threads sounds like too much oil in the gas, what oil are you running and at what ratio??

[saladboy]

im running 28:1 this is my break in period i was running 20:1 but it ran like crap after this tank i will go to 32:1. my main is a stock #142 jet.

[Billy Golightly]

Do you have a camera that can take a good clear picture of it? It will be easy for us to point out the specific traits of your plug to help diagnose it, and you'll learn more too.

[saladboy]

hey,billy this is about the best i can do as far as pics go i put on the frist post on this page.what do ya think.

[Billy Golightly]

Hmm, I think its its just the flash. But on the ground strap, that comes over from the side and is over the electrode, is there any sort of white/gray baked/caked substances on it?

[saladboy]

no,it looks like new maybe wit a little oil on it

[Billy Golightly]

Then I'm gonna have to say it is very near a certain level of perfection :). Give me just a second and I'll point some things out on it for you and add a photo to this reply with them noted on it.

[saladboy]

thanks man i was freakin out because i did not know how to determine if it was rich or lean judging by the info i looked up i though it look right, but once again i have to refer to the masters on this site. thank God for this site or my r would be a problen child.

[Billy Golightly]

Here it is, not a complete 100% detail report on your plug but it should help you out in checking future ones and give you some baselines. Most of the time when I'm saying "It can also be..." that means the engine is OK to be at that area, but it is bleeding edge and is not reccomended for it to be there unless your keeping extremely close tabs on the plug because at that close of tuning a 15 degree change in temperature can cook your motor, so just be aware :)

[saladboy]

thanks for the info.i gonna print that out and add it to my manual.thanks for taking the time to do all that it really helped alot