I don't know if anyone posted this yet, but I found a good site about reading spark plugs. Good pictures, short and to the point.
http://dragstuff.com/techarticles/ho...ead-plugs.html

Good post anytime. I will not run WOT untill I have full oil temp.So to get the correct plug reading I must heat up the oil, stop and change the plugs, do the one WOT run and then check the pulgs. OK no problem, or do you think I could just change out maybe two plugs like #1 and #8 or would there be a better combo. James

That is some very good info on that site.
I think my Harley is running to rich. I've got the black soot on the top ring and white porcline. Hmm

Very good site. I even learned something !
I always used the ring on the ground strap for a way to jet.

yeah great site...but these plug chops are done with race fuel....not pump gas...the pump gas you are buying will not leave reliable signs after 1 plug chop....use a leaded fuel to set up correct jetting then return to pump gas...or just run a steady state WOT for a long period, like 15 miles or so.

I'm still trying to get my carb dialed in, and with the weather the way it's been around here (10 - 20mph winds), it's been tough to get a good run in to color the plugs.
By the way, my Harley runs rich too. I don't worry about it.

Paul

You are soooo correct and this is especially true of the summer grade pump fuel. Also after that 15 mile WOT run you will need to shut down and read your plugs on the water. Do not cruise back until reading is complete.

Roby

When you say read your plugs do you think it should be all of them or would two or four be enough or just through out the anchor and make a picnic out of it.

Pack a picnic basket because you should read all. Not only do you get a fix on your mixture, you can spot a problem on a per cylinder basis. Such evidence of a problem could be covered up once you cruise and or idle back to the dock. If you have a Hi-dur cam on pump gas this is even more true.

Roby

Interesting about the ground strap, I had always heard the line on it was a way to tell if you needed to add or take away timing.