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Author Topic: Which fuel octane should I use?  (Read 4524 times)

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Offline dylboss

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Which fuel octane should I use?
« on: May 03, 2011, 06:39:50 PM »
I did a search on this, but got many different results.  I have a '78 CB550, and wondering if I can use 87 or need to use 93 octane for this particular engine.  Sorry if this is a redundant post.

Thanks.
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Current

- 1972 CB750 K2 - Brier Brown Metallic
- 1973 CB750 K3 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1974 CB750 K4 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1976 CB750 K6 - Candy Antares Red

Previous
- 1978 Honda CB550K
- 1972 Honda CL350 Scrambler
- 1972 Honda CB450
- 1998 Suzuki TL1000R
- 1993 Yamaha FZR 600

Offline CBGhia

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Re: Which fuel octane should I use?
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2011, 06:49:48 PM »
I use 87.  Really, you want to use the lowest octane you can without causing pinging.
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CB550 Cafe, GL1000, Buell Ulysses
Quote from: dave500 on February 14, 2014, 03:53:33 AM
if you dont trial spin the camshaft in the head and cover you are a novice,with no natural mechanical appitude,destined for destruction.
"The cleaner the dipstick, the closer to God." -Rev. Horton Heat
“Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”  - Hunter S. Thompson

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Which fuel octane should I use?
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2011, 06:51:02 PM »

The stock engine only needs regular gas, without alcohol if available.
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline dylboss

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Re: Which fuel octane should I use?
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2011, 06:52:15 PM »
Is there a benefit to using 93?  Smoother, or whatever?
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Current

- 1972 CB750 K2 - Brier Brown Metallic
- 1973 CB750 K3 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1974 CB750 K4 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1976 CB750 K6 - Candy Antares Red

Previous
- 1978 Honda CB550K
- 1972 Honda CL350 Scrambler
- 1972 Honda CB450
- 1998 Suzuki TL1000R
- 1993 Yamaha FZR 600

Offline CBGhia

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  • Posts: 1,347
Re: Which fuel octane should I use?
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2011, 06:58:00 PM »
No benefit.  It can actually cause extra carbon deposits. 
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CB550 Cafe, GL1000, Buell Ulysses
Quote from: dave500 on February 14, 2014, 03:53:33 AM
if you dont trial spin the camshaft in the head and cover you are a novice,with no natural mechanical appitude,destined for destruction.
"The cleaner the dipstick, the closer to God." -Rev. Horton Heat
“Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”  - Hunter S. Thompson

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
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  • Posts: 21,802
Re: Which fuel octane should I use?
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2011, 09:46:35 PM »
Quote from: dylboss on May 03, 2011, 06:52:15 PM
Is there a benefit to using 93?  Smoother, or whatever?
No.

Octane has nothing to do with energy content.  Just the point at which it tends to spontaneously combust.
Most of the benefits are profits the seller makes.
Some machines need a higher octane.  The stock SOHC4 engine doesn't.

Cheers,
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.
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