Motorcycle Repair: Fouling spark plugs, gold wing 1100, gold wing owners

Question
I own a 1982 Gold Wing 1100 Interstate, 45,000 miles, in excellent condition.  I bought it in May from a couple who bought it new 22 years ago.  Now the plugs are fouling, especially the #4 plug (rear, port side).  The #3 plug also fouls, but not as much.  The previous owner says it never happened before.  I want to believe that, but I can't figure out how I would have caused it to happen now after 22 years of not having any problems with this.  

One Honda technician says needle valves sticking.  Another Honda technician says it may be the carbs, but it doesn't need a rebuild - just some kind of 'chemical cleanup' from a can at the auto parts store.  Other Gold Wing owners tell me that the plugs I'm using are not 'hot enough' (Plug # ND X24ES-U).  Another rider tells me the #4 plug was fouling because I wasn't using the Center Stand at night, using the Kick Stand instead.  Now I'm using the Center Stand, and it does seem to take a little longer to foul the plugs - but it still happens.  By the way, when I first bought the bike, I was getting around 45 miles per gallon.  Now, I'm lucky to get 30-35.

I have no idea what to try first.  Everyone seems to make sense with what they say, but I don't know whether to put the $300 to $500 into the carb work if all it will take is different plugs or a can of carb cleaner.  Any ideas?  Could it be something in the coil or plug wires or ...?  Thanks.

Tom Andres
Mattoon, IL

Answer
Hi Tom.
 To start with, all the plugs should be the same, so if the plugs were not hot enough, then all the plugs would be in the same, or similar, condition.

 I do know that GL's, like the similarly configured BMW R series, do tend to have problems like that.  However, you should check your manual and make sure that you have the correct heat range plugs as per the factory specs.

 Also, cleaning the carbs couldn't hurt any at all.  While you're at it, you should get the carbs synchronized as well as the valves and timing checked and adjusted.  Particularly if you do not know when they were last done.

Good luck.
FALCON