85 Maxim 700 sparkplugs

I've searched the forums on sparkplug gap and all it's done is leave me more confused (that's because confused, rahter than 'more' confused is my usual state). More than once I read stated that "our XJ's need a 0.7 - 0.8 gap on their plugs". NGK suggests a 0.032 on a BP8ES for my particular bike.
Come to find out I've had BP7ES plugs in there from when I bought it and they are gapped at 0.032. My search results say the 7ES is a hotter burning plug than the 8ES.
Bike has run well up to the last few weeks when it would spend the first 10-15 mins sounding like it wasn't hitting on all four. Granted, ambient temps are lower now but this bike used to warm up in just a few minutes and be good to go.
So I stopped by and picked up new plugs and just let the parts tech tell me what I needed. It was the same as NGK sez.
Short story is the bike seems to run fine with the cooler plugs and smaller gap of the NGK recommendation. Different feeling, but fine.
The original plugs seemed to be in fine shape. No carbon build up and no oil either.
I'm just curious as to where the huge gapping of 0.7/8 come from and which XJ's it is best suited for?
Also, I'm curious as to why there are so many of us online on a Halloween party night! Boo! And boo hoo hoo. :^)

 

Here’s some info from Yamaha service manuals which are all listed on the XJCD.

The XJ700N/NC as well as the XJ700S/SC show NGK BP8ES plugs gapped at 0.7 – 0.8 mm ( 0.028 – 0.031 in )

The XJ650 and XJ750’s list NGK BP7ES gapped at 0.7 – 0.8 mm ( 0.028 – 0.031 in ).

The XJ750XN lists NGK DR8ES plugs gapped at 0.6 ~ 0.7 mm ( 0.024 ~ 0.028 in ).

 

Like Nick says the 0.7-0.8 is metric (used by just about the whole world)
the other measurments, in thousanths of inches is for us Americans.

Some times those plugs just go bad with time and use.

BTW, you do have an inline fuel filter on your fuel line right?
If not you may want to put one on it before it's too late, you might be on borrowed time.

 

Like in bicycling; you can't use a fractional tire on a decimal rim. DOH!
Both my buddy and I missed that one.

[/quote]Some times those plugs just go bad with time and use.

BTW, you do have an inline fuel filter on your fuel line right?
If not you may want to put one on it before it's too late, you might be on borrowed time.[/quote]

Yep, figured that was a good idea when I first got the bike.

 

I'm a little confused on the plugs. My 86 700 Maxim used NGK D8EA which is listed on the specifications, but the dealer states that my 85 700 Maxim used BP8ES. Does anyone know the difference? Thanks!

 

Whoops, sorry about that, was answered already (and nearly right above my question on top of it. Sometime the answer to a question can be biting me and I won't see it