[jdepew13]

i know that a lot of cars have engine problems i know i did will ethinal afeact my bike the same as my car and if so what is the best thing for it is there an aditive i can use

 

[Shep]

It could.As per your other thread get rid of the old fuel out of the tank and get some fresh.All fuel goes stale with age.

 

[bearman1]

I have been TOLD by a guy that works on small motors (lawn mowers large n small, snow blowers yada yada yada) that INDEED the ethanol in the gas today tends to "swell" certain parts, such as needle valve seats (not to worry about these bikes though.....as they're brass).......but......Yes, as Shep said.......It COULD.

 

[kingston73]

Being in NY, I'm not sure you have any choice, I think from NY up to Maine its all 10%. You could put some gas treatment in it each time you fill up. Something like this:



http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Marine-Formula-Ethanol-Treatment-(8-oz-)-Sta-Bil_7630013-P_N3233_T|GRP2030C_____

 

[Shep]

http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_fuel_disadvantages.html



http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_problems_damage.html





How valid this information is I have no idea but does not look good

 

[MotorcycleCommuter]

You don't have a choice in the US. All the gas has at least 10% ethanol. Just ride it like mad and wear it out before the ethanol disolves anything.

 

[ramprat06]

You don't have a choice in the US. All the gas has at least 10% ethanol. Just ride it like mad and wear it out before the ethanol disolves anything.

This is not accurate. There are areas where it is possible to find non ethanol fuels. You can search HERE Also, some small airports will have plain pure gas ( I think the term commonly used is AVGAS, and it is not really different than what we use in our vehicles, except it is exempt from the federal additive guidelines.)



As for harm to our bikes, the ethanol topic has been brought up often on this board, with plenty of anecdotal evidence that it can be detrimental to these engines in general. Kind of follows the same thought as using diesel motor oil because it has the higher zinc content that was around in the days when these bikes were engineered. In my opinion, if the bike is kept in good operating order, and maintained in a prudent manner, the ethanol won't cause too much harm. I'm not sure, but have heard that some additives like Seafoam, and Berrymans B-12 can help.



Joel in the Couve

 

[jdepew13]

thanks for the advice i also herd that high octain is beter for the bike isthis true

 

[ramprat06]

thanks for the advice i also herd that high octain is beter for the bike isthis true

NO, These bikes were made during the late 70's/early 80's, and the recommended octane by Honda is 87. There is no benefit from higher octane. Some of the other sages on this site have a lot more knowledge on this, and may add in, but if you do a search you will find many threads here about this. Use "fuel" or "octane" and things like that in the search and choose all forums in the section part.

 

[jdepew13]

thanks for the advice. what is the best aditive for my bike?

 

[ramprat06]

The two I mentioned earlier are the most common ones, and basically only used like every third tankful or so. Always use the MFG's recommended amount, which isn't a lot. Something like a couple capfuls per tank. I'm not sure if they really help with reducing the effects of ethanol or not.

 

[kingston73]

thanks for the advice. what is the best aditive for my bike?

I personally like the marine Stabil because you can use it at every fill up. Some of them, like SeaFoam, you should only use every few thousand miles. Whatever you use, just don't use too much, that can cause it's own set of problems. Here's a decent map that gives you an idea of where you can find different types of gasoline:\

http://www.exxon.com/USA-English/Files/US%20Gasoline%20Map%20100102.pdf

 

[jdepew13]

The two I mentioned earlier are the most common ones, and basically only used like every third tankful or so. Always use the MFG's recommended amount, which isn't a lot. Something like a couple capfuls per tank. I'm not sure if they really help with reducing the effects of ethanol or not.

were can i find eath one of these additives?

 

[Stubby]

They are readily available at Wal-Mart in my area as well as most auto parts stores. I have used both in the past, but I am currently using Berrymans B-12 because it is less than half the price of Seafoam and performs just as well for me. The instructions suggest 1oz per gallon of gas, but I generally use 1oz per tank of gas. Mostly to cut down on the amount of harsh chemicals in the system.

 

[jdepew13]

They are readily available at Wal-Mart in my area as well as most auto parts stores. I have used both in the past, but I am currently using Berrymans B-12 because it is less than half the price of Seafoam and performs just as well for me. The instructions suggest 1oz per gallon of gas, but I generally use 1oz per tank of gas. Mostly to cut down on the amount of harsh chemicals in the system.

thanks i will look tonight. and were can i find a new air filter i have looked everywere and knowone has them.

 

[Interstater]

Also, some small airports will have plain pure gas ( I think the term commonly used is AVGAS, and it is not really different than what we use in our vehicles, except it is exempt from the federal additive guidelines.)

Airport "avgas" for piston engines is 100LL, which is one hundred octane low lead. It is low lead compared to older avgas formulas, but it still has four times as much lead as leaded auto fuel ever had. A dose of it every now and then wouldn't hurt your bike, and storing the bike with some 100LL would be good (100LL is very stable), but I wouldn't run a lot of it or over awhile you would risk fouling plugs, rings etc.. Besides, it costs about $5/gal right now, who can afford that? ($5.35/gal at my local airport right now, but other airports near here have avgas for $4.50/gal)



There are some airports that carry "autogas" for those airplanes that are certified to burn it. It usually is just unleaded regular with NO alcohol. Unfortunately it is very rare for an airport to carry autogas since they typically don't want to deal with the tankage, the affinity of autogas for water, and the liability (as advised by my FBO when I asked if he would ever sell autogas). If you can find an airport that carries autogas it will typically cost somewhere in the middle between street gas and avgas, sometimes closer to avgas.



I can still buy unleaded regular and premium with no alcohol at my local convenience stores/gas stations (I pay more for it though), so any engine of mine that may sit unused for bit will be fueled with it and I also carry it in cans to the airport to put in my airplane. If it is going into a vehicle that I am driving a lot then I will usually just put in whatever gas is cheapest and that would be from the regular pump with 10% alcohol.



Go to pure-gas.org to find local stations without alcohol, there may be one close to you.

 

[rogerb]

I'm not sure if it is in effect yet or not but the limit on alcohol has been raised to 15%.

 

[Linny]

http://www.fuel-test...advantages.html



http://www.fuel-test...ems_damage.html





How valid this information is I have no idea but does not look good

I have and use a tester similar to the one offered on that site. Non-Oxy is available at many stations in my town and is all I use in my small engines.



I hear that many people have no issues with using ethanol blended fuel. I guess if I were to change how I do maintenance I could make it work for me. Daddy don't want to change till it's necessary.

 

[Shep]

I have and use a tester similar to the one offered on that site. Non-Oxy is available at many stations in my town and is all I use in my small engines.



I hear that many people have no issues with using ethanol blended fuel. I guess if I were to change how I do maintenance I could make it work for me. Daddy don't want to change till it's necessary.

I hear ya.I have no problems over here in the UK but I do add a bit of Fuel treatment to every other tank of fuel and also my Fuel pipe is high grade neoprene type so less susceptible to decay from these products.Don't seem to have any carb part problems either.I do take on-board the note that the blended fuel goes stale faster but as I ride all year round it doesn't have too much chance to go stale for me

 

[Scudman]

Ethanol disolves certain rubber and plastic parts. No amount of additives will prevent this process. Avgas contains lead and lead is corrosive to the exhaust system. Also lead causes lead fouling on spark plugs. just ride it and hope for the best. As the parts disolve replace them with parts that are compatible with todays fuels.