Topic: How much will ethynol free fuel improve performance?

[matchstikman]

I have a 76' 750f.  I've  been told by the old timer at the local parts store old engines don't take kindly to ethynol. A SOHC4 old timer seems to agree. So whats the deal?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Only way to know is to put it on a dyno or drag strip and do competitive runs.

[Retro Rocket]

You also use more ethanol per mile than normal gasolene, so any gain in cost is eaten up by using more fuel, not to mention that ethanol absorbs moisture and turns to sh1t if left for any length of time in a tank or carbs, in other words, ethanol is sh1t....

[chewbacca5000]

On real gas you get up to 10% better gas mileage.  As for performance hard to say.  Your engine will run cooler and last longer too.

[matchstikman]

I wasn't thinking of racing performance. Just everyday performance. If it's generally better for the engine. Cleaner burn.

[TwoTired]

It depends on whether your carb are optimally tuned for ethanol blends.  One of the goals of the federales was to mandate all old engines to run leaner.  Alcohol yields less energy  per volume than gasoline.  So. a 10% blend leans your engine and injects less power.  You compensate for this by opening the throttle more, using more volume, at a slightly leaner mixture.  You could open the fuel jets up to compensate and restore power/mixture.  But, you simply have to use more ethanol blend to make the same power.

New engines with computer control automatically adjust/optimize the fuel ratios.

Better for the economy and tax revenue for the masses to use more fuel. 

[matchstikman]

No computer on my bike. An e-free gas station is pretty close to my house so i might as well use it, right?

[eigenvector]

You won't notice a difference.  The guys on the track, the guys who do iron butt rallys - they'll notice, but everyday riders, naw.

You will notice a difference if you let your tank sit for a while.  Ethanol really does absorb water.  On a sealed tank like what's on a car, that's not a problem, but a motorcycle like the CB - it really does absorb quickly.

[Stev-o]

No computer on my bike. An e-free gas station is pretty close to my house so i might as well use it, right?

Yes, but not for performance reasons.  As Retro stated above, ethanol absorbs moisture which is bad for your tank and carbs if it sits there for any length of time.

[Retro Rocket]

You won't notice a difference.  The guys on the track, the guys who do iron butt rallys - they'll notice, but everyday riders, naw.

You will notice a difference if you let your tank sit for a while.  Ethanol really does absorb water.  On a sealed tank like what's on a car, that's not a problem, but a motorcycle like the CB - it really does absorb quickly.

All fuel tanks have breathers mate, none are completely sealed, all tanks will get moisture from ethanol, we have warning signs in Australia on our ethanol pumps warning NOT to use ethanol blends in boats for this very reason....

[JWExperience]

Here in central ny we can only get enthNol free in 91 octane and my bike seems to run a little better on the 87 enthNol stuff. I'm ok with the ethanol because I use my bike enough that the gas doesn't sit for long and I also occasionally use seafoam or Lucas in the gas to help keep stuff clean. Our boats in this area are notorious for carb problems from the ethanol gumming them up. The marine mechanics around here suggest to run non ethanol if it will sit for more than one to two weeks due to moisture. I use both eth and non eth in the boat depending on how much I use it and add a additive to try to keep stuff cleaner. No problems in bikes or boats since I've owned them.

[70CB750]

No computer on my bike. An e-free gas station is pretty close to my house so i might as well use it, right?

Lucky you!  I would use it all the time.  I fill my CB anytime I have a chance with the good stuff, but since I live in vicinity of the vortex of evil - D.C. I mean - I have to drive 40 miles to fill up or to fill a jerry can for my small engine equipment, that stuff definitely runs better on e-free and it lasts much longer.

[ekpent]

The ethanol blends are hardest on small little two stoke engines like chainsaws, weed whips, blowers, two stroke motorcycles etc.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Buy a bottle of Seafoam and add a capful each time you fill the tank.  It's a good countermeasure against ethanol degradation.  Ethanol free fuel is getting more difficult to find.

[seanbarney41]

Ran my bike on Ethanol free for the first time in years (first time ever for this bike) during a visit to Wisconsin...it actually ran slightly worse with burbling at about 1/8 throttle and a very slight bog at full throttle...guess my jetting is better optimized for the E10 commonly found in Michigan.

[ekpent]

Ran my bike on Ethanol free for the first time in years (first time ever for this bike) during a visit to Wisconsin...it actually ran slightly worse with burbling at about 1/8 throttle and a very slight bog at full throttle...guess my jetting is better optimized for the E10 commonly found in Michigan.

Have you tried whiskey or vodka yet Sean ? When its in me it makes my bike feel faster    Glad to see you have had a safe journey,    how many miles did you pile up this month so far ?

[TwoTired]

"Performance" can mean different things to different people.
HP, Torque, reliability, MPG, exhaust emissions, oil consumption, etc. are all "performance" factors, and are routinely traded about in matters of importance.

Politicians and other overlords of the state for example, believe ethanol is a great "performance" enhancement in terms of Return on Investment. 

[Retro Rocket]

"Performance" can mean different things to different people.
HP, Torque, reliability, MPG, exhaust emissions, oil consumption, etc. are all "performance" factors, and are routinely traded about in matters of importance.

Politicians and other overlords of the state for example, believe ethanol is a great "performance" enhancement in terms of Return on Investment.

Which is total bullsh1t when it takes into consideration that in the US you guys make ethanol from corn/food/ pushes feed prices up for cattle which in turn pushes up the price of any related food, so while there is a "return on investment" for the people involved, its at the cost of everyone else, not to mention poor countries removing forests to grow corn for fuel instead of feeding their own. Until Governments become independent from capitalists {yeah right} nothing will change

[Nic]

Too late mate, greed never goes backwards.

[matchstikman]

Too late mate, greed never goes backwards.
Yup. Im on the low end of the u.s. econ wealth gap . My Honda is the only luxury i can afford right now. I want to treat her right.

[Retro Rocket]

Too late mate, greed never goes backwards.

Take away their money and what have they got Nic.?  That thought keeps me warm at night mate.... ...

[ekpent]

I hope this thread does not turn into something more than it needs to be. Lets see, oil ,gas, tires and pods can get ugly along with the occasional oil cooler thread, politics and religion. Did I leave anything out,Oh yea Fenders. Better get off to the store for some Jiffy Pop just in case   

[Nic]

[dave500]

I got the beer!

[TwoTired]

Yep, our EPA has yet again struck with re regulation crap that the science wholly refutes, not to mention the economics of it. And the humane issues of global food prices.

The EPA can't set regulation/policy without elected official cooperation, which is ultimately determined by the vote of the population (or lobby groups).  Ego, we must all support the policies by default, or we would vote to change it. 

It IS all about "change", or so I've been told.  How do you like it so far?