metal shielded NGK caps...

scuderia

scuderia

Senior member
Location
San Francisco
didn't know that anything like this was still available... think there's any advantage?
http://motorcycleproducts.co.uk/catalogue/spark-plug-cap-xb05f-ngk-metal-bodied-p-83382.html

also anyone know why the red ngk caps are not available in the US?
 
The shield is fitted for radio disturbance suppresion.  Most military vehicles use something similar (but far more complicated, mostly screw-on and watertight as well) in order not to disturb radio/radar signals.  Were compulsory on bikes in Germany until very recently, a T?V inspector might still fail a bike if the stupid things are missing.   Stupid because they rust, wobble around on the plug after a few years and short out imediately if the inner plastic part should start to break up or just crack.  OE types for Laverda still available from Bosch if you really want them.

The internal resistor found in most modern plug caps does almost as good a job, and because the plugs are often completely shielded by the cylinder head on modern bikes, they are no longer a legal requirement on them.

piet
 
Gawd, the TUV inspectors must be bloody pernickety bureaucrats to fail a bike because the spark plug caps are not original. Do they look at the ignition system or coils?

Last bike I had inspected here in Tassie (a few weeks ago), the bloke just checked the frame and engine numbers, then wandered off to do the paperwork. I asked him if he wanted to check anything else, lights, horn, brakes, whatever. He said "No, I know your bikes are always OK". It certainly makes life easy when you have a good relationship with your local inspector.  :D

Cheers,
Cam
 
Dellortoman said:
Gawd, the TUV inspectors must be bloody pernickety bureaucrats to fail a bike because the spark plug caps are not original. Do they look at the ignition system or coils?

Last bike I had inspected here in Tassie (a few weeks ago), the bloke just checked the frame and engine numbers, then wandered off to do the paperwork. I asked him if he wanted to check anything else, lights, horn, brakes, whatever. He said "No, I know your bikes are always OK". It certainly makes life easy when you have a good relationship with your local inspector.  :D

Cheers,
Cam
Click to expand...

They can be real pains, Cam.

But things are getting better as Europe charges forward... regulations are being standardised throughout, making life easier for a lot of us.  Not only through the monetary union, but soon we'll have the same vehicle documentation Europe-wide, which will make import/export a doddle.  Drivers licenses are currently undergoing a similar transformation.  As Germany was so strongly regulated, they have needed to loosen up a bit in order to fall in line with the rest.  Means other countries are tightening up their regulations as a result, see Spain... brings out a whole new breed of bureaucrats, as well as completely new lines of corruption!

Haven't had any of my bikes inspected at an "official" testing station for decades!  Always use befriended bike shops/auto workshops that have on-site testing, they often turn a blind eye to the obvious!  :D

piet
 
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