Author Topic: Stupid Question about Petrol........  (Read 1704 times)

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Spavo

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Stupid Question about Petrol........
« on: July 04, 2007, 03:07:45 pm »
Sorry everyone........

But honestly, am I running unleaded 95 in my 1977 Honda CB550F????

I know it is a stupid question really but just want to be doubly sure with the bike being 30 years old.....

Thanks,

Gav.

Offline nickjtc

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Re: Stupid Question about Petrol........
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2007, 03:12:33 pm »
Can't speak for a 550, but my '79 650 runs very nicely on 87 octane. That's North American octane, mind you.
Nick J. Member #3247

2008 Triumph Tiger 1050
1977 Suzuki GS750

"That which does not kill us reminds us to wear proper motorcycle clothing...."

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Stupid Question about Petrol........
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2007, 04:16:54 pm »
There are multiple ratings for octane in use around the world, primarily used to keep the public consumer totally confused so that "branding" may dominate consumer choices instead of relevant data.

MON  Motor Octane Number
RON  Research Octane Number
PON  Pump Octane Number"
AKI  Anti Knock Index

However, the bike, with its 9:1 compression ratio, will work fine with the lowest grade gasoline available at your local filling station.  Don't use diesel fuel.

From Wikipedia:
Different countries have some variation in what RON (Research Octane Number) is standard for gasoline, or petrol. In the UK, ordinary regular unleaded petrol is 91 RON (not commonly available), premium unleaded petrol is always 95 RON, and super unleaded is usually 97-98 RON. However both Shell and BP produce fuel at 102 RON for cars with hi-performance engines, and the supermarket chain Tesco began in 2006 to sell super unleaded petrol rated at 99 RON. In the US, octane ratings in fuels can vary between 86-87 AKI (91-92 RON) for regular, through 89-90 (94-95) for mid-grade (European Premium), up to 90-94 (RON 95-99) for premium unleaded or E10 (Super in Europe)

Cheers,
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 andy750

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Re: Stupid Question about Petrol........
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2007, 04:27:40 pm »
Any unleaded petrol will work in your bike -when I ran my CB750 in the UK I put in regular unleaded - its fine!

cheers
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Spavo

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Re: Stupid Question about Petrol........
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2007, 11:55:20 pm »
Thanks Guys,

I know it was a ridiculous question but I thought I was going mad.....I'll be wanting to collect my green shield stamps next and claiming that nice decanter and glasses set for 1,567,211 books!

Thanks again,

Gav.