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I was riding back home from the parents after xmas, and just as I was leaving the motorway cruising at about 80 the bike coughed then picked up again.

At the traffic lights at the end of the slip road I half expected it to cut-out, it didn't but the idle seemed a bit lower. I couldn't hear the engine properly as I had headphones in, but it seemed to be struggling slightly at lower revs. Top end pull was fine.

Yesterday I rode the bike in to work, and the engine was chugging and misfiring at low rpm, with the occasional backfire coming on/off the throttle.

I'd had the carbs balanced recently, so checked all the connections under the airbox were secure, checked the TPS setting and all looked good.

Next step check the plugs, and I found this:



Hopefully the bits that are missing exited the engine without causing any damage!

I also need a new front plug cap, as part of it is still attached to the plug.

It's nice when you find the cause of a problem, and it's simple

I think the bike wouldve told you by now whether it'd done damage.. although a compression check on the cylinders might be in order just as a quick indicator whether something is amiss hidden inside the engine.

Pesky sparkplugs..

Kwackerz wrote: Pesky sparkplugs..

Indeed, although replacements are easy to find at £6 each for iridiums on ebay.

The plug cap on the other hand, is proving a little more tricky. Any recommendations on where to get one, without getting bent over by Aprilia?

Sorry - I don't know of a handy supplier of plug caps.

In the picture I'm not sure whether I'm more concerned about the plug or the fact that you have a pet smurf to hold it for you.

The Smurf worried me too.

Smurfs - the indispensable garage tool. And small enough to be stored in a tool box

Are there any races not present in London now?

That must be the most worn plug Ive ever seen,wonder if you may have a hidden ignition or mixture problem. Do you have any spare Smurfs you want to sell?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10IN-25CM-PAP ... 8bb49d7d76

blinkey501 wrote:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10IN-25CM-PAP ... 8bb49d7d76

Good to see Sam there supporting the pile of them ....

Finally found a cap yesterday evening from motorcycleproducts.co.uk and ordered it, £12 delivered, not bad.

Got an email today saying they've not got any in stock and don't have a reorder date, so have refunded my the money.

Phoned my local Aprilia dealership as I'm planning on heading down to Worthing this weekend to see a friend and don't fancy cycling..no answer on the phone so I checked their website, and they've closed down

In the end got a new one from ebay for £19.99 delivered, hopefully it gets here on time.

And if you're in the states, $7.65 delivered from amazon