Announcement

**V!RU$** · 07-15-2012, 03:16 AM

@ashwin-- yeah man it happened with my scooter also(bajaj chetak) as i had set the gap too much.I think your ignition coil is not able to provide sufficient voltage for the increased gap.you can also try it on a set of stock spark plugs maybe in good condition so as to get the idea on the limit of gapping your ignition coils can tolerate.

@B7ACKTHORN--bro i had a couple of spark plugs lying around so i thought that how to get the best possible gap from the spark plugs.
I wondered where the spark would go if i removed the ground electrode

to my surprise it perfectly occurred between the electrode and the spark plug body.
And for your second question i think that since there is no ground electrode the spark has to travel to the surface of the spark plug body,the spark is nearly twice in length as compared to the conventional gap.

You're absolutely right on the reliability part, you don't want to be strangled in the middle of nowhere and curse me!!!

therefore i personally insist on keeping a spare spark plug.

@sooraj-- Cheers man

!! Do report the mileage figures and any other benefits/problems.

**mayank.travadi** · 07-15-2012, 03:27 PM

two questions

is this reliable and works on a long term basis/

how did u manage to click picks with the spark in the spark plug? they spark only when u crank it right? and they give a spark only once?

**V!RU$** · 07-20-2012, 11:41 PM

@mayank-- i've done around 500 kms on this setup by now.No problems so far.However reliability is a doubtful scenario.

The pics were taken by BURST mode in the camera, out of a few images you will probably capture the spark.

**art** · 08-05-2012, 02:47 AM

the gap allowed in pulsar 150 is .7 - .8 mm...after removing the ground electrode the gap increases considerably to 3 - 4 mm. so my question is whether this large gap will allow the spark to happen or atleast in consistent manner in the compressed chamber??? i think in bikes having weak coil, it will be hard to get the spark.
correct me if i m wrong....
though i will be trying this soon but will surely carry extra plugs in the tool box provided the bike misfires or worst doesn't fire at all.....
@omid adab-nice mod. dude...

**Ayson** · 09-17-2012, 01:25 AM

So effectively haven't you increased the electrode gap from 0.8 mm to 1-2mm and so caused the spark to go weak as you metioned yourself? Also now the spark has receded about 1-2mm backwards (wrt to the plug). A true SD plug has the same gap (ie 0.8mm). But thoughtfull mod anyway.

.

NB: Do not set idle to 500. Idle has to be 1400+/-100 RPM (on Pulsar). At low idle speeds, the oil pump also runs slow, and cannot generate enough oil pressure to force oil to the cylinder head. You will end up with damage to the cam shaft bearings, cam shaft, tappet bearings and other parts in the cylinder head.

**psr** · 09-19-2012, 11:46 AM

Alternatively cutting the ground electrode equivalent to the edge of the center electrode also makes the spark exposed into the cylinder..this is called plug side-gapping....
Performance Unlimited 4-Wheel & Off Road Center - Hartford, Wisconsin - USA Technical Documents

**satchit** · 10-30-2012, 01:33 PM

I have a Pulsar 180 Classic , can this be done in it ?

**rsk11584** · 03-16-2013, 05:28 PM

My HH SS bike has only one spark plug and that spark plug has got only one side ground electrode, so can I just cut off the single ground electrode....

**V!RU$** · 03-17-2013, 11:51 PM

Originally posted by rsk11584 View Post

My HH SS bike has only one spark plug and that spark plug has got only one side ground electrode, so can I just cut off the single ground electrode....

Since your bike uses single spark plug you can experiment it but it can become
risky if the setup fails. However you can experiment with an old sparkplug.
Your ignition coil also must be able to provide sufficient voltage for the increased gap.
Also with the increased gap the ignition timing is retarded by a small margin.
So different bikes respond differently after this.
So you can try it only an experimental basis but I don't recommend it for long rides.
It's safe to experiment in twin spark bikes as you can keep one sparkplug stock while you can experiment with the other ...

**harsh dts-fi** · 06-10-2013, 03:38 PM

Re: D.I.Y Surface Discharge Spark Plug

thank you brother
after seen your d.i.y i have done on mypulsar150 ug2 2005 47000k.m done

I gain more throttle response better idle r.p.m , quick start & hope better millage (millage not tested because yesterday 5 jun 2013 i done & writing on 6 jun 2013 )

as all we pulsarrs needs
I done on both of pulsar's plugs & result is very good.
yesterday i have done on mypulsar ug2 150 & my friend's herohonda passionpro 2012

**sniper** · 06-13-2013, 01:37 PM

Re: D.I.Y Surface Discharge Spark Plug

Cutting off the ground electrode off a normal plug thereby increasing the gap to more than recommended is wrong. It may show a strong spark when removed for the engine but in a running engine with the air and fuel between the electrodes, the spark will definitely be weaker than required. Unless the spark plug itself is kaput, fouling is the result of other factors(Leaking piston rings/ worn out valve oil seals) & cutting off the electrode is definitely not the cure for it.

**petrolhead_chn** · 07-07-2013, 06:05 AM

Re: D.I.Y Surface Discharge Spark Plug

Originally posted by V!RU$ View Post

Since your bike uses single spark plug you can experiment it but it can become
risky if the setup fails. However you can experiment with an old sparkplug.
Your ignition coil also must be able to provide sufficient voltage for the increased gap.
Also with the increased gap the ignition timing is retarded by a small margin.
So different bikes respond differently after this.
So you can try it only an experimental basis but I don't recommend it for long rides.
It's safe to experiment in twin spark bikes as you can keep one sparkplug stock while you can experiment with the other ...

Bumping an old thread! What happens if you use both the plugs the similar way?
BTW, did you check with any auto electrician if the ignition coils can generate additional voltage if necessary due to high plug gaps?

I certainly admire your courage for this kind of DIY. However if such mods enhance the bike's performance, wouldn't the manufacturer recommend it by default? There should be some interesting facts regarding this if dig deep into this.

**V!RU$** · 07-07-2013, 12:51 PM

Re: D.I.Y Surface Discharge Spark Plug

Originally posted by sniper View Post

Cutting off the ground electrode off a normal plug thereby increasing the gap to more than recommended is wrong. It may show a strong spark when removed for the engine but in a running engine with the air and fuel between the electrodes, the spark will definitely be weaker than required. Unless the spark plug itself is kaput, fouling is the result of other factors(Leaking piston rings/ worn out valve oil seals) & cutting off the electrode is definitely not the cure for it.

Relax bro...!!
I didn't mention this method as a replacement to our stock
spark plugs nor against any fouling problems , it is just for trial purposes.
But people have reported good results..
It's results vary from bike to bike ..if it works for you then fine otherwise you can always go back to your stock sparkplugs.

**Raneet** · 01-18-2015, 02:13 AM

Re: D.I.Y Surface Discharge Spark Plug

Should the principle apply in case of Iridium plugs too?

**psr** · 01-20-2015, 02:52 PM

Re: D.I.Y Surface Discharge Spark Plug

To those who have doubt as to why the side gapped Spark Plug is not implemented as OE, The TVS RTR comes standard OE with Twin ground Electrodes Spark Plug with side gapping...
As long as the gap is maintained as per OE spec, no increase in High Tension Voltage is necessary. Most of the modern bikes comes with capability to put out a larger Ignition Voltage ....

Announcement

D.I.Y Surface Discharge Spark Plug

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment