Vaquero sparkplug life

ballbreaker · 03-20-2019, 03:09 PM

Was going to change my plugs this year. Just turned 44,000 kms. Bike is running good but thought it was time. Priced them at the dealer this morning and they are $ 50.00 per plug. They said I could go longer on them before replacing. My question is how many kms. are you getting on the 1700 engine before you replace them. Thanks in advance Can't get to my bike yet for the 3 foot drifts of snow to get my manual. Did a search but it showed up nothing.

recumbentbob · 03-20-2019, 03:24 PM

What spark plug did you price?
I have never seen a$50 spark plug.

redjay · 03-20-2019, 06:29 PM

https://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/p/...ilzkar7b11-ngk

$13.50

mike07nad · 03-20-2019, 08:58 PM

Ok - The manual says 48,000 Km or 30,000 miles.
NGK Iridium Sparkplug ILZKAR7B11 for Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager VN1700

On Amazon for $16.30 - There was one for 13.79 but it also had a 1654 part number.

I will say this - My Voyager has 54,000 miles on the original plugs and is still going strong. Maybe I'll give it a special treat and get it new plugs this year.

Plug - NGK ILZKAR7B11
FYI Gap 1 - 1.1MM or .031 - .035 In
Torque on plug - 13 ft-lb

**ray2** · 03-20-2019, 09:54 PM

Had my plugs changed at 90,000 Miles when having some other work done. The plugs did not look bad and bike was running ok only had them changed because they had the gas tank off and thought it was a good time to change them. Think they were replaced with the stock plugs. do not remember how much they cost the slip is in saddle bag and bike is in storage trailer with a lot of snow around it yet.

ballbreaker · 03-20-2019, 11:21 PM

First of all thanks to all that replied. The parts guy at the dealership priced it right in front of me. That's why I started this thread. I couldn't believe it myself but not having my manual in front of me I wasn't sure of the plug number. Thanks for the info on how long they are supposed to last and thanks for the info on where to purchase.

mike07nad · 03-21-2019, 06:27 PM

Mine should be Amazoned into the compound tomorrow. Then I'll proceed to install them. Now do I have Feeler Gauge or will this require a Harbor Freight run?

mbarr10 · 03-21-2019, 09:22 PM

With the high mileage of our plugs, would it be wise to pull them out and use the copper lube/ triple compound thread stuff? every few years to keep the threads from ?? what ever it is you call the freezing/ welding/ sticking/Corrosion so when it is time to change them they come out without issue and Drama?? Heli coil is Real Drama for me and my bike/car ect.
I read this somewhere or was told this from someone. Seemed to make sense.
Is this any thing I should be concerned with?? you know steel plugs in an aluminum head.

recumbentbob · 03-22-2019, 05:45 AM

mbarr, coat the threads with never seez and put the plugs back in, only needs done once.
At the same time coat the inside of the plug cap with dielectric grease, this will keep it from sticking to the spark plug.

mbarr10 · 03-22-2019, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recumbentbob

mbarr, coat the threads with never seez and put the plugs back in, only needs done once.
At the same time coat the inside of the plug cap with dielectric grease, this will keep it from sticking to the spark plug.

Thanks,

mbarr10 · 03-22-2019, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike07nad

Mine should be Amazoned into the compound tomorrow. Then I'll proceed to install them. Now do I have Feeler Gauge or will this require a Harbor Freight run?

DragonLady58 · 03-22-2019, 09:38 AM

Well, when you install the Iridiums, the bike will start faster, run better, and if your not choking the throttle like a chickens neck, you'll probably gain 1 to 2 mpgs....
Always use AntiSieze on any steel shelled plug getting screwed into a alum head, will keep you from stripping your threads out....

ballbreaker · 03-22-2019, 12:57 PM

Just ordered my plugs from an independent shop at a 70% savings off my regular dealer price. Pays to belong to this forum. Thanks to all that replied.

**smokier** · 03-23-2019, 06:50 AM

Greetings,

Yeah, at the Kawi shop they initially wanted $56 each for the plugs. They did some magic and sold them for $15 each. Still too much based on the above.

Changed them out at the 30K mile service. The originals are still in the cabinet, just in case...

Ride safe,
Smokier

ballbreaker · 03-23-2019, 12:37 PM

Yes it is amazing Smokier how much they want to take your money at inflated prices especially when you have been a loyal customer for years. Funny my dealer never attempted to give me a better price or look for any aftermarket price for their customers. Good thing that there is this forum and so many members who share their buying experiences so we can all save a few bucks.

03-20-2019, 03:09 PM	#1
ballbreaker Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: canada Posts: 487	Vaquero sparkplug life Was going to change my plugs this year. Just turned 44,000 kms. Bike is running good but thought it was time. Priced them at the dealer this morning and they are $ 50.00 per plug. They said I could go longer on them before replacing. My question is how many kms. are you getting on the 1700 engine before you replace them. Thanks in advance Can't get to my bike yet for the 3 foot drifts of snow to get my manual. Did a search but it showed up nothing. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-20-2019, 03:24 PM	#2
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	What spark plug did you price? I have never seen a$50 spark plug. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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03-20-2019, 06:29 PM	#3
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	https://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/p/...ilzkar7b11-ngk $13.50 Last edited by redjay; 03-20-2019 at 09:57 PM.
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03-20-2019, 09:54 PM	#5
ray2 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 939	Had my plugs changed at 90,000 Miles when having some other work done. The plugs did not look bad and bike was running ok only had them changed because they had the gas tank off and thought it was a good time to change them. Think they were replaced with the stock plugs. do not remember how much they cost the slip is in saddle bag and bike is in storage trailer with a lot of snow around it yet. __________________ Ray Minnesota 2010-1700-Nomad VBA#01525 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-21-2019, 09:22 PM	#8
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	Ok, I have to ask With the high mileage of our plugs, would it be wise to pull them out and use the copper lube/ triple compound thread stuff? every few years to keep the threads from ?? what ever it is you call the freezing/ welding/ sticking/Corrosion so when it is time to change them they come out without issue and Drama?? Heli coil is Real Drama for me and my bike/car ect. I read this somewhere or was told this from someone. Seemed to make sense. Is this any thing I should be concerned with?? you know steel plugs in an aluminum head. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
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03-20-2019, 08:58 PM	#4
mike07nad Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palmyra, Pa - Near Hershey Posts: 426	Ok - The manual says 48,000 Km or 30,000 miles. NGK Iridium Sparkplug ILZKAR7B11 for Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager VN1700 On Amazon for $16.30 - There was one for 13.79 but it also had a 1654 part number. I will say this - My Voyager has 54,000 miles on the original plugs and is still going strong. Maybe I'll give it a special treat and get it new plugs this year. Plug - NGK ILZKAR7B11 FYI Gap 1 - 1.1MM or .031 - .035 In Torque on plug - 13 ft-lb
	0

03-20-2019, 11:21 PM	#6
ballbreaker Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: canada Posts: 487	First of all thanks to all that replied. The parts guy at the dealership priced it right in front of me. That's why I started this thread. I couldn't believe it myself but not having my manual in front of me I wasn't sure of the plug number. Thanks for the info on how long they are supposed to last and thanks for the info on where to purchase.
	0

03-21-2019, 06:27 PM	#7
mike07nad Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palmyra, Pa - Near Hershey Posts: 426	Mine should be Amazoned into the compound tomorrow. Then I'll proceed to install them. Now do I have Feeler Gauge or will this require a Harbor Freight run?
	0

03-22-2019, 05:45 AM	#9
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	mbarr, coat the threads with never seez and put the plugs back in, only needs done once. At the same time coat the inside of the plug cap with dielectric grease, this will keep it from sticking to the spark plug. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
	0

03-22-2019, 09:38 AM	#12
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	Well, when you install the Iridiums, the bike will start faster, run better, and if your not choking the throttle like a chickens neck, you'll probably gain 1 to 2 mpgs.... Always use AntiSieze on any steel shelled plug getting screwed into a alum head, will keep you from stripping your threads out.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride!
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03-22-2019, 12:57 PM	#13
ballbreaker Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: canada Posts: 487	Just ordered my plugs from an independent shop at a 70% savings off my regular dealer price. Pays to belong to this forum. Thanks to all that replied.
	0

03-23-2019, 06:50 AM	#14
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Greetings, Yeah, at the Kawi shop they initially wanted $56 each for the plugs. They did some magic and sold them for $15 each. Still too much based on the above. Changed them out at the 30K mile service. The originals are still in the cabinet, just in case... Ride safe, Smokier
	0

03-23-2019, 12:37 PM	#15
ballbreaker Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: canada Posts: 487	Yes it is amazing Smokier how much they want to take your money at inflated prices especially when you have been a loyal customer for years. Funny my dealer never attempted to give me a better price or look for any aftermarket price for their customers. Good thing that there is this forum and so many members who share their buying experiences so we can all save a few bucks.
	0