Sooty exhaust

I noticed when I removed my baffles to inspect today the insides are quite sooty. How much soot is normal? Wondered if it might be running rich since new pipes added although it sounds and feels good. Mpg seems down a bit but that might be me being throttle happy to hear those lovely pipes! I have not checked plugs yet. Advice needed here . Shall I get a bendy spark plug wrench from Halfords (what size would this be ?). I know some do it with the socket set/extension bar. I have not checked plugs yet because it is a bit fiddly getting air filter off but perhaps now I should. If I take out plugs to inspect is it hand tight plus a quarter turn to tighten without torque wrench?

I find it best to remove the plugs with the plug spanner supplied with the OEM tool kit to be honest Bluesman.



As far as tightening them up is concerned, if you're refitting the old plugs, tighten about an eighth of a turn after finger tight ( as the washer will already be compressed from the first time you tightened them). For new plugs, the recommendation is half a turn from finger tight.



You will see some carbon deposits in the baffles, thats perfectly normal but if they're absolutely coated in it, you're right in your assumption, the bike could be running too rich.



Hope this helps matey .... Mick

Yeah I gotta pretty much agree with Mick

It can be suprising how quickly an exhaust on a bike will get sooty & I would be extremely surprised if your bike is running rich. you have not added a fuel processor or had the bike flashed so if the bike was not able to cope with your modification then it would run lean! although running rich is not good, running lean is bad.
So I wouldn't worry just yet, ride and enjoy.

guys - as ever my on line support team standing by to help!