Author Topic: Which gas to run? (Read 2748 times)

jonboycox · « **on:** September 25, 2011, 07:51:19 AM »

Hey everybody, being new to older bikes I thought I would start a discussion about what the best fuel is to use. I have heard that Ethanol is bad.....lets hear everyone's thoughts.

Johnie · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2011, 08:19:24 AM »

Welcome to the forum jon. What bike do you have? I am in NE WI and the NO ETHANOL signs are popping up on a number of stations in the Oshkosh area. At first it was only the 91 octane. But now there are a few here that offer ETHANOL FREE in any grade fuel. That is where I go all the time now. Glad to see it especially where my 750's are concerned. Correct in that ethanol attracts water. I sure do not want ethanol sitting in my tank over winter. Do a search on ethanol on this board and you will get a ton of info.

Click this link to find ethanol free stations in your area:
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp

nccb · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2011, 09:01:39 AM »

jonboy, its funny I was just looking through past posts on just the same topic. From what I have seen from this board it seems that a lot of members in the past recommend just 87. Some manuals recommended at least 91 but members here have pointed out that the fuel ratings where different in the 70's and 1970's grade 91 is equivalent to todays 87.

They say the higher octane isn't necessary unless you have modified your engine for high combustion(?) because of the delayed pre-ignition would be a waste of the fuel. I personally just tried it out with a tank of 91 and from the first ride I feel my engine was more responsive than with my local 87.

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2011, 09:10:45 AM »

Higher octane does not mean more power, better millage or higher quality, all though the petroleum industry is all too happy to let those myths continue. High octane simply means it's more resistant to per-igniton which is heard as a ping or felt as a mis-fire. High compression (9:1 or higher) are more likely to pre-ignite and typically run without pinging on high octane fuels.

Run what ever your bike and wallet can tolerate without pinging!

Johnie · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2011, 09:44:01 AM »

Agreed....the 87 ethanol free in my 750's runs good. No ping, knock and a good solid performance.

jonboycox · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2011, 02:06:40 PM »

I am running a '77 CB 400F that I restored over the course of the last year or so. It was a heck of a lot of work and I am now saving up to get a final tune up (balance the carbs) and create an ownership, get insurance and all that. I have heard that the specific problem with ethanol is that it gums up the fine holes in the needles of the carbs. I have also heard that on older machines it is the best to run the highest octane you can get, but my pocketbook doesn't want that to be true! All this is great.... Any Canuks out there that could throw in a post?

KingCustomCycles.com · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2011, 04:50:03 PM »

Higher octane ratings may have unexpected results. To get that higher rating, additives are used. Also cleaners (solvents) are common in the high end gasolines. Some of those additives have caused my seals to swell and leak in the fuel system with no benefit in performance. As stated above, if your engine is not high compression, requiring the beneits of higher octane ratings to not knock, or ping, it is wasted money to purchase anything but no alcohol 87.

RustyStuff · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2011, 05:28:49 PM »

My dad always ran 91 in my 650. said he had problems with it pinging on lower octanes.

I wish I could find no alky gas might be able to find it at the airport or a marina . I think wa made it required by law, have to read the little stickers next time. $:-\$

nccb · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2011, 05:40:21 PM »

just discovered this in the polls
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=34103.0

72500john · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2011, 05:57:16 PM »

if you live near an airport..grass strip or local place..get to know the old cronnies there. they will probably think your vintage bike is cool and hook you up with some 100 low lead gas.. the bikes i have owned have loved it!! not a stedy diet but i works great. i agree with what others have posted and 87 is good gas as long as there is no ethanol. ethaonol has been the death of alot of my lawn equipment!

johnny · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2011, 05:50:57 AM »

I run mid-grade (usually 89 octane) in all my bikes and add this fuel additive to combat the ethanol:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VMNHX8

BobbyR · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2011, 06:34:09 AM »

This like the Oil threads have the same answers over and over and over and over. Run what makes you feel makes your bike run the best. If you can get non ethanol it is better, no one disputes that.

Rgconner · « **Reply #12 on:** September 26, 2011, 09:37:40 AM »

Quote from: johnny on September 26, 2011, 05:50:57 AM

I run mid-grade (usually 89 octane) in all my bikes and add this fuel additive to combat the ethanol:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VMNHX8

I was able to pick this up at my local Cyclegear.

$10 is a bit pricey, I can usually get it for $7 at the local autostore.

But a little goes a long way, 1 ounce treats 16 gallons! A capful in my tank has prevented any goobers forming in the tank or varnish in the carbs.

I find that it is really good for maintaining the gas in my car... since it gets about 50 to 100 miles a month usage.

If I have a real problem, I prefer Redline for cleaning things out, it seems to do a much better job.

jonboycox · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2011, 04:39:21 PM »

Thanks all for the great info!

Doggie · « **Reply #14 on:** September 26, 2011, 08:01:56 PM »

I looked on the gas pump today when I was filling up my truck and it said 10% ethanol. Is this going to hurt my bike? Is that a low or high percentage?
Doug

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #15 on:** September 26, 2011, 08:25:03 PM »

E10 is low. Won't hurt your bike. Some debate about the long term storage with this gas in ur tank.

TwoTired · « **Reply #16 on:** September 26, 2011, 10:06:16 PM »

Quote from: Doggie on September 26, 2011, 08:01:56 PM

I looked on the gas pump today when I was filling up my truck and it said 10% ethanol. Is this going to hurt my bike? Is that a low or high percentage?
Doug

E10 is pretty much standard. If you keep steadily replacing the gas, it doesn't foul the carbs directly.

However, the ethanol will speed up the aging/hardening of rubber parts it contacts.

Doggie · « **Reply #17 on:** September 27, 2011, 08:06:00 PM »

Great, thanks for the info. Doug

jonboycox · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2011, 05:01:23 PM »

Does anyone know if they have to post whether there is ethanol? Around here I only see it on pumps occasionally. It would be best to store for the winter with an ethanol free fuel. Guess I could head to the marina or airport, but I would like to avoid that hassle if possible.

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2011, 05:59:27 PM »

In the US, it's up to individual states as to how a pump gets labeled.

BobbyR · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2011, 08:55:43 AM »

Quote from: jonboycox on September 28, 2011, 05:01:23 PM

Does anyone know if they have to post whether there is ethanol? Around here I only see it on pumps occasionally. It would be best to store for the winter with an ethanol free fuel. Guess I could head to the marina or airport, but I would like to avoid that hassle if possible.

Actually it would be best to store with no fuel. Tank sprayed inside with light oil. Carbs drained and flushed with carb cleaner. Combustion chambers sprayed with marine fogging oil.

Tugboat · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2011, 08:58:29 AM »

Is that Star*Tron stuff safe for lined tanks?

jonboycox · « **Reply #22 on:** September 29, 2011, 02:29:11 PM »

Hey bobbyr, what kind of light oil? Like WD-40? Or is there a specific type for that application? Can I put the carb cleaner in the tank and drain it through the carb drains?

BobbyR · « **Reply #23 on:** September 29, 2011, 05:46:28 PM »

Quote from: jonboycox on September 29, 2011, 02:29:11 PM

Hey bobbyr, what kind of light oil? Like WD-40? Or is there a specific type for that application? Can I put the carb cleaner in the tank and drain it through the carb drains?

Jon, WD is fine, it is mostly Kerosene, and Kero is fine is you have some around. Just slosh it around. It is oily. One year I used 3 stroke oil, don't do that it smokes like hell.

If you you use WD 40 it is easy to get the sides and down the bottom, the top of the tank is tricky.

I drain the carbs right through the drains. You can then put the cleaner into the tank and let it flow into the bowls. The reason for this is the gas will evaporate and leave a coat of varnish on the slides, bikes that were parked for a long time will have a nice brown coating on the slides, and they stick. I have a 78K so I just pull the line off the petcock and pour it in, give it a few minutes to mix with any leftover gas and drain.

I cannot see the sense leaving gas in a tank all winter. People are up in arms over the E10 blend under normal circumstances. Ok, put some, miracle stuff in it. Come spring you have 1/2 dead gas with some miracle in it.

Danno · « **Reply #24 on:** September 29, 2011, 06:23:30 PM »

the E10 gas is only a problem if you store your bike more than a year at a time but in the event you do that cleaning and fogging are a good practice when I store long term I drain it fog it and fill the case with oil but leave your self a note that you filled the case with oil so you can drain it so you don't run it that way and blow your seals

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Author Topic: Which gas to run? (Read 2748 times)

KingCustomCycles.com

72500john