Mercury is Finished for now...

marshg246 · Feb 4, 2023

The plugs are not terrible but a little rich or the wrong plugs. However, without knowing how you were riding and what plugs they are, the pictures don't mean much. For instance, if you rode for a long period between 1/4 and 3/4 throttle it's quite different than sitting at idle.

With the normal clutch working properly, trouble finding gears is likely a problem in the mechanism in the outer gearbox cover - probably ratchet spring mis-bent.

NorLuck · Feb 4, 2023

B7ES NGK. Didn’t sit idle all that much, was out with little traffic.

ashman · Feb 4, 2023

They are Commando plugs so maybe get the right heat range plugs for the 650 motor, I know my Commando hates NGK plugs, runs a lot better with Champion N7YC.

NorLuck · Feb 4, 2023

ashman said:
They are Commando plugs so maybe get the right heat range plugs for the 650 motor, I know my Commando hates NGK plugs, runs a lot better with Champion N7YC.

These are the correct plugs. I'm willing to try alternate brands though as some people say that makes a difference. I'm also willing to go colder if I can get away with it? I hear that helps with slightly inaccurate ignition timing.

Schwany · Feb 4, 2023

Don't use spark plugs to improve inaccurate timing. Make the timing as accurate as possible, and then find a plug that is self cleaning and performs well.

Standard copper core plugs like the NGK B7ES are alright, but there are better plugs. I can't remember what ignition you're using, but if it is EI you need an R in the NGK number somewhere or the resistor type spark plug boots. I'm guessing you know all that or it has already been mentioned a few times.

By the way, I like your sense of humor. Subtle

NorLuck · Feb 5, 2023

Schwany said:
Don't use spark plugs to improve inaccurate timing. Make the timing as accurate as possible, and then find a plug that is self cleaning and performs well.

Standard copper core plugs like the NGK B7ES are alright, but there are better plugs. I can't remember what ignition you're using, but if it is EI you need an R in the NGK number somewhere or the resistor type spark plug boots. I'm guessing you know all that or it has already been mentioned a few times.

By the way, I like your sense of humor. Subtle

Tri-Spark.. I have resistor caps, but I'm fine to go with alternate spark plugs.

hhh · Feb 5, 2023

NorLuck said:
Tri-Spark.. I have resistor caps, but I'm fine to go with alternate spark plugs.

Resistor caps + resistor plugs = too many resistors.

NorLuck · Feb 6, 2023

hhh said:
Resistor caps + resistor plugs = too many resistors.

Yes I understand this. Which is why I said I have B7ES plugs (they’re non resistor types).

hhh · Feb 6, 2023

NorLuck said:
Yes I understand this. Which is why I said I have B7ES plugs (they’re non resistor types).

I know without the "R" used to be non-resistor, but one site I checked claimed they had a resistor. I don't know if that was an acknowledgment of them being a discontinued model or an error, but it surprised me. I always prefer non-resistor because it's another thing to go wrong for no benefit. Although I have seen it claimed that having a few K resistance somewhere is better because it prevents self-extinguishing of the spark so you get a longer spark duration and better burn. Can you run projected nose in your motor or is there a clearance issue?

concours · Feb 6, 2023

Fake or not?

Beware of fake spark plugs: 5 step guide how to identify fake vs genuine by NGK spark plugs technical experts | Official NGK technical tipps

www.ngkntk.com

hhh · Feb 6, 2023

concours said:
Fake or not?

Beware of fake spark plugs: 5 step guide how to identify fake vs genuine by NGK spark plugs technical experts | Official NGK technical tipps

www.ngkntk.com

Yikes, there's no end to fraud it seems. I bought some MJ15003 and MJ15004 power transistors that sell for a few dollars each. While they were transistors, they sure weren't "power" transistors. They went poof the moment I turned the amp up. I got a full refund, reported the fraud to eBay with pictures for proof, and their site remained up, continuing the fraud.

Fast Eddie · Feb 7, 2023

The fraudsters are getting better and better.

There is no way to guarantee avoiding them.

But you can put the odds in your favour. Don’t buy stuff like this off of unknown ebay sources is rule number 1. Find a good reputable supplier, for things like spark plugs, buy a box at a time from your reputable supplier.

That way you always have good plugs in stock, which should be the first thing to change when problem solving poor running. Always throw away suspect plugs, never keep them, the time wasted by chasing ghost problems caused fitting a duff plug that you think is ok will be incredibly frustrating.

If you get a suspected fake, return the whole box. Much easier to keep control of your stock this way.

Never buy plugs from the cheapest random supplier on eBay or unknown sources auto-jumbles. A reputable seller is far more likely to be buying from a reputable wholesaler, who is part of a reputable supply chain. No guarantee, but much better odds. If this costs a few pence more per plug, then so be it.

I buy plugs from The Green Spark Plug Company. And haven’t seen any evidence of having had counterfeit ones yet.

concours · Feb 7, 2023

hhh said:
Yikes, there's no end to fraud it seems. I bought some MJ15003 and MJ15004 power transistors that sell for a few dollars each. While they were transistors, they sure weren't "power" transistors. They went poof the moment I turned the amp up. I got a full refund, reported the fraud to eBay with pictures for proof, and their site remained up, continuing the fraud.

Sadly, that's all too common.

hhh · Feb 7, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
The fraudsters are getting better and better.

There is no way to guarantee avoiding them.

But you can put the odds in your favour. Don’t buy stuff like this off of unknown ebay sources is rule number 1. Find a good reputable supplier, for things like spark plugs, buy a box at a time from your reputable supplier.

That way you always have good plugs in stock, which should be the first thing to change when problem solving poor running. Always throw away suspect plugs, never keep them, the time wasted by chasing ghost problems caused fitting a duff plug that you think is ok will be incredibly frustrating.

If you get a suspected fake, return the whole box. Much easier to keep control of your stock this way.

Never buy plugs from the cheapest random supplier on eBay or unknown sources auto-jumbles. A reputable seller is far more likely to be buying from a reputable wholesaler, who is part of a reputable supply chain. No guarantee, but much better odds. If this costs a few pence more per plug, then so be it.

I buy plugs from The Green Spark Plug Company. And haven’t seen any evidence of having had counterfeit ones yet.

My worst nightmare plug waste of time was a misfire on one side that would seem to come and go. By some stroke of luck, while inspecting the plug, I turned it right side up and half the insulator came down and shrouded the center electrode completely. I'd never seen anything like it and you couldn't see the crack when it was upside down.