Example of an NGK spark plug
Back when I was living in India, it proved impossible to source the proper spark plugs (e.g. a simple NGK B7ES) for my Matchless. The spark plug the mechanic recommended and had installed in my G3Ls was a Bosch type designed for Royal Enfield Bullets. The bike seemed to run ok on this, albeit a little difficult to start sometimes, but when I removed the plug I realised it only had 1/2″ of thread whereas my bike needed a plug with a 3/4″ long thread!
So that’s where my search for a more appropriate spark plug began. This search wasn’t easy as there aren’t that many spark plugs available in India (certainly not the full range I’m used to back in the UK anyway!) and so I had to investigate many alternative makes and models to find something suitable. The process was complicated by the fact that there were no knowledgeable dealers or distributors to ask, and no sales literature available either on-line or in shops. Just finding out what spark plugs were actually available for a start proved to be the biggest mission!
Anyway, I eventually found a Bosch spark plug that I think just about fits the requirements of my Matchless bike. To help others who might be in a similar situation in India, or even those elsewhere trying to work out what alternatives there are available to the original KLG FE80, I’ve put together a ‘Which spark plug?‘ guide based upon my notes.
Also in the process of working out exactly which spark plugs might be suitable, I also had to work out all the various manufacturers product codes for their plugs. In particular, the matter of heat ranges kept cropping up. Therefore I’ve also just put together a guide to ‘Spark plug heat ranges‘ which covers what this actually means and how it affects your engine. Hope you find these useful.
I’m now living in Hong Kong and I haven’t even thought about buying spark plugs here yet! But my bike hopefully arrives in a couple of weeks time and so I’ll need to start searching out local suppliers. With any luck there will be more options available here than in India, but we shall soon see…