Author Topic: K75 spark plugs/wires  (Read 5001 times)

Offline Motorhobo

  • +25 years of K75
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1530
K75 spark plugs/wires
« on: April 24, 2014, 08:34:27 AM »
One of the OEM spark plug wires on my 95K75 failed. I replaced it with an aftermarket silicon wire from BeemerBoneyard  - http://www.beemerboneyard.com/12121459876csn.html. I left the other two OEM wires in there. I didn't change the plugs. Now I'm reading up on plugs and see two NGK matches for K75: NGK DR7EA resistor, D7EA non-resistor. There's this comment on a BMWMOA post:

Quote
Personally I don't think it's a great idea to mix gap and resistance, IMHO more likely to have fouling problems on the K75 - which is already noted for this.

My 94 K75 has the original OEM spark plug wires. Thinking of switching to the aftermarket silicon from BB. So --

1) Does anyone know if the silicone replacement plugs from BB are resistive or spark-gap?
2) Is it a bad idea to mix them or should I replace the whole set? I've been running the one silicone with the two OEMs for a couple thousand miles, nothing's blown up yet.
3) Which NGK plug (resistor or non-resistor) should be used with the OEM and silicone aftermarket plugs respectively?

I don't know jack about the electricals -- time to learn, this seems a good place to start.

Thanks -- Van
1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline wmax351

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1237
Re: K75 spark plugs/wires
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2014, 10:38:30 AM »
1) I'm not sure. I think they are likely resistive, the spark gap ones are a pain to deal with. From what I can tell from the picture, they are standard wires with NGK sockets on the end. As far as I know, those are only available in resistance or non-resistance.
2) I wouldn't mix them. You are creating a differential environment between your cylinders. If one went bad, the others are probably on their way out. The spark wires are a known weak spot on the K75.
3) I would go with the non-resistor, since you likely have resistance caps.
  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

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