Z1OwnersClub GB

Just been discussing carb issues with Steve
Smethurst and he suggested I use Champion
copper core plugs. Does anyone know the equivalent
to NGKB8ES?

Cheers Mike

Champion N3c is equivalent to ngkb8es

ive been using N3c quite some time and find them spot on compared to NGK in my z900 z650 and triumphs

I don't want to sound clever or owt, but if you think you're having carb issues, why not sort the carb issues?

Coose wrote:I don't want to sound clever or owt, but if you think you're having carb issues, why not sort the carb issues?

Exactly this ^^

Champion plugs may mask (not cure) the problem as they run on a wider heat range than NGK's do. Good for problematic motors, not so good if you want engine efficiency.

Using this as a fix is a bit like putting ear plugs in to cure a noisy exhaust

I presume the Gentleman was talking carbs with Mr Smethurst who im told really knows his stuff and which plugs
he uses came up in the conversation as even the most basic spanner man like me know plugs don't sort carburation
issues

I should have said carbs sorted and it just cane about
in email conversation that Steve Smethurst
reccommends using the Champion plugs. I've always used
NGK but if there's something better I'll give them a try.

Cheers for comments

Never had an issue with NGK's.
Just done over 2000 miles to Faro and back on the Z1R with the same NGK's I've had in it for years no problem.

Having sold and fitted countless numbers of both brands for cars and for motorcycles since 1976 - Champion are NOT better than NGK (in the Japanese motorcycle market) ... it's that simple.

They are useful on old Brit stuff where they run temperamentally for endless reasons and NGK's would just foul up, but they most certainly are not better than NGK on Jap fodder. The heat range on Champion plugs is too wide to get the best running on Jap bikes.

There is a very good reason why NGK are fitted in 99% of modern and vintage Jap bikes...and it isn't the price

NGK's are more efficient, run cleaner and last longer. their heat ranges are narrow and focussed to the recommended fitment. If the bike is set up properly, they last for 1000's of miles with no issue

BTW - the only genuinely faulty NGK's are the cheap snide ones sometimes sold on Ebay and occasionally at carboot sales. If you foul up a good set in your bike, you have other problems.

well we've been told now haven't we ive run both and like the N3c and have also run thousands of trouble free miles
on them to some its preference nothing else , Norton Commandos have always run better on these and are recommended
so i guess they must all be covering up faults that the foolish owners aren't clever enough to know about but we can't all
be specialists can we , just to throw another in the ring my Z1 & Z1r run Densos

DogsbolloxofZ1B wrote:I should have said carbs sorted and it just cane about
in email conversation that Steve Smethurst
reccommends using the Champion plugs. I've always used
NGK but if there's something better I'll give them a try.

Cheers for comments

Ah, that's good then and apologies for maybe looking like I'd jumped to an incorrect conclusion.
For what it's worth, I've run both (genuine) NGK and Densos in my lightly tweaked J and never had a problem with either.

Bill P wrote:well we've been told now haven't we ive run both and like the N3c and have also run thousands of trouble free miles
on them to some its preference nothing else , Norton Commandos have always run better on these and are recommended
so i guess they must all be covering up faults that the foolish owners aren't clever enough to know about but we can't all
be specialists can we , just to throw another in the ring my Z1 & Z1r run Densos

Did you miss the part where I said they run OK on old Brits ?

Given the amount of bikes you cited - how do you manage to run them for thousands of miles, or are you talking historically ?

no didn't miss the Brit bit and the comment covering up problems your one of those Jap only men i guess
i am talking plugs fitted in bikes i own and never had to touch in ages

Bill P wrote:no didn't miss the Brit bit and the comment covering up problems your one of those Jap only men i guess
i am talking plugs fitted in bikes i own and never had to touch in ages

No I have not only owned/mended/bought/sold Japanese motorcycles, but as this is a Z forum, I referred primarily to Japanese bikes not running at their best when using Champion spark plugs and gave the reasoning behind that statement. That reasoning comes from decades of experience gained from working primarily in the motorcycle industry on countless marques from a myriad of countries.

Japanese bikes, certainly 4 strokes from the early-mid 70's once set up correctly tend to stay in tune for extended periods of time, something that older British bikes never quite managed to do. Hence a plug with a wide operating range ( such as Champion) is better for them.

As im only just out of Nappies i guess ive a lot to learn ive only been riding Zs forty years along with a lot more
toys Triples of both Nationalities both in my garage