Sudden surge in spark plug prices?

A couple weeks ago I ordered a box of DP8EA-9 NGK plugs from Dumaguete Equipment I guess it's called- the bike parts shop on Real St, across from where they sell all the bamboo furniture/just over the new bridge a ways at the corner where Real St becomes one way, and they were p100 each

When I got home, I see there were only 9 plugs in what should have been a box of 10. I texted the guy but got no reply..

Until yesterday when he tells me the DP9EA-9 (colder) plugs I also wanted are now available from his supplier for p230!

Ahh no thanks, I've already contacted a friend about to return from the USA, and he's bringing 2 boxes I bought off eBay and had sent to him at a cheaper price.

O-|

 

your surprised that you get something off ebay cheaper in the states than you can get it here?

 

If you're bike/s is/are using that many spark plugs, I'd have a mechanic check out your carburettor/or fuel injection system, you seem to have a problem.

 

I am starting to wonder about you owning a XR200 here, have you owned a Bike before?
I have my XLR since 1999 and had to change my Sparplug once because of it's failing, I had no use for a colder plug as all the other XLR/XR owners also don't have.
In your other post you mentioned that you got a US XR200R Carburator and that you are looking/ordering a Mainjet larger than 120!!!
wereas the stock jet for that Bike is 110!!!
You should maybe read my older posts "XLR/XR Owners and Buyers"...

 

My first bike was in 1971.

If the XR was rich, I'd have a blackened plug and it'd be bogging. The plug looks almost new after WOT plug chops.

Even with the original XR200 carb on it, I'd already had a 118 main jet in that. I've run out of richer main jets for both carbs, more are on the way.

Local shops aren't stocking these projected tip/non-resistor plugs, so I have to order more than I actually need. Even if they could order them, I'd have to buy a box of 10.

My chief wrench twister at the motorcycle repair shop across from AM/PM store says locals don't use p-tip plugs because they wear out faster. - That could mean anything here-even wearing out in 6 mos could be seen as excessive accelerated wear.

Motorcycle parts shop offered that the p-tip plug does result in "easier starting" (aka a bit more power?). With the plug tip now a tad further into the combustion chamber, and my plug looking so white, there's a good chance a step cooler will be needed.

Plus I like to use plugs that index into the best position when seated, so I'll have to wade through the two boxes sorting out which ones index in what location.


I just added an Al swingarm from a US XR, to replace the steel one on the bike. It's the same length and just needed a little clearancing to fit. I did use the XR 200 shock linkage which just needed a spacer.

Al swing arm is over 3lbs lighter. If I get Al linkage from eBay parts I could save a little more weight

View attachment 8479

 

The new colder plugs and a new K&N air filter will be here Thurs.

I could have a strip of metal/nut welded across the PI XR plate inside the airbox to allow attachment of the K&N, but I've already ordered the Honda part for a '02 XR 200R that has that bracket in it.

I know the 8 stud bolt pattern is the same as here because I've already installed the boot from that US model on my bike to work with the new carb.

My intake tract and exhaust pipe mods have necessitated larger jetting.

Keep in mind the 2002 XR200R was a two valve, single exhaust header pipe engine, just like the ones here. Using that OE carb on mine wasn't exactly taking a step in an unknown direction.

 

Guys, many of the cheaper spark plugs are junk. NGK, Bosch, etc. here are not the same plug as you may buy in other parts of the world. They have the name, but they are not the same plug.

Expect to spend P200+ on a REAL plug, and buy one every few years instead of one every few months.

It took a few dozen tuneups on multicabs to figure this out, the P100 plugs are not worth messing with.

You get what you pay for,... sometimes.

Larry

 

Could be Larry you've apparently been through a lot of plugs.

I haven't replaced any of the locally bought XR200 spec plugs yet due to wear, but then again I probably haven't put 1000km on this bike since I bought it.

 

You remind me of a very good friend that I do/did a lot of conversions on his XR200, he had his Cylinderhead re-valved and worked on in Germany, bought an CR-Flatslide Carburator, a Racing CDI (available in Manila), I made him an custom Exhaustsystem, he converted it to Supermoto with a 150/80 rear tire and he managed to have it running "sometimes" and then it will run up to a 135km/h but alas, he and I have spend more time working on the Bike than he driving it, not to mention all the money he spend on everything (he even bought an CO2 Analyser).
And yes, Nuevel at/of AM-PM is a very good welder and does good conversions but about engine tunning I would not ask his advice...
or any other guy here in Town, there is a very knowlegable Mechanic in Bayawan with extensive experience with Big Bikes, if you want I can post his adress here or send you an PM...

For your information http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/board/general-chat/honda-xlr-xr200-owners-buyers-7290.html

 

Not really, this is just something to pass the time. I'm not going open up the engine and start changing things.

It's not my only transportation so it doesn't get ridden everyday, but other than when it's been in the shop for the new rear fender treatment and the swing arm install, it's always ready to ride.

Plus, for a few months I had more than one XR at the house I could choose from.

Nuevel is in Japan? working, his brother Paul is in charge, business seems slow.

I haven't asked anyone for tuning advice per se; I have given it now and then though.


I have a drag race with an XR supppsedly overbored to 230cc when I get done fiddling with mine..