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What fuel?

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  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    4 years ago
    I prefer 98 from BP or Caltex in all my vehicles. Got a dose of bad '98' in NSW once in the Triumph, independent retailer.
  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    4 years ago
    Here we are again. 
    The best I can afford 98 or if not available 95.
    My bikes have run their best from using BP, Caltex, but not shell.
     Not sure why, but is the way it has been.
  • JFE
    JFE
    4 years ago
    I love a good fuel thread, closely followed by an oil one!
    BP 98 for my Fat Bob and BP Ultimate Diesel for the truck. Never buy during or just after new fuel is delivered and ya can’t go wrong.
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    4 years ago
    Is the Gauge you used accurate? 220 ccp is on high side I would play it safe & run 98 with 220ccp!!
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    4 years ago
     I have looked inside a 110 twinky & the piston was a long way down in the bore at top dead & when you look at the top of the piston it was not getting full use of the heads.
    how much clearance, piston to head did you measure at top dead, when you got 220psi. I know these big motors pump a lot & need de comp in the system to crank over. but I'll stick to 98 myself as the Refinery is a long long way off these day's in Australia.
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    4 years ago
    Good Stuff on the 0.030" they perform well set up like that.
    on the 98 BP I have run that in my Harleys since it first arrived. & when I could get it, I ran BP 100. I took the last twin cam I had to the track, as I used to race in Screamin Eagle Harleys when the factory sponsored the class. I saw higher trap speeds using the BP100 over the BP98 if my motor could not use it the trap speeds would have been much lower. a guy I used to see at the Sydney drags while practicing on Wednesday nights, was riding an old Kawaka 1100 carb he saw lower speeds on 95 & higher speeds with 91. so I understand what you mean. they make there best power on the verge of detonation.
    your set up is the latest & you can tune them perfect!
    I have gone from a twin cam carb 95cid to a Sportster as they suit my style & light, it's a carb model & cranking pressure is high. I've been on Harleys without a break  over 40 years now, we see big numbers on the dyno & they have larger motors. but Street Harleys that you can ride anywhere, are still no quicker or faster at the drags. I think as they get higher tech they have also gained a lot of weight. still I love them all!!

  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 years ago
    100%
  • Jay-Dee
    Jay-Dee
    4 years ago
    Higher octane means more resistance to detonation, it's basically that simple.
    If your engine has enough compression to require higher octane fuel and you or your engine management system can optimise tuning to suit you will see benefits i.e more power, no smashed ring lands, beat up and/or spun big end bearings. If not you're really only wasting money and making yourself feel better.

    P.S. Nice nine year old thread dig on your first post Buck.
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 years ago
    Higher octane fuel don't give better fuel economy or increase engine horsepower, it reduces the likelihood of engine knock or ping as it burns slower so it is more resistant to detonation when subjected to higher RPM and cylinder pressures, if you don't need it you are better off without it.
  • Steve L
    Steve L
    4 years ago
    I generally run 95 premium but it's getting harder to find now. Quite a few servos are now only offering Ethonol blend, 91 and 98, not sure why they are no longer stocking 95.
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 years ago
    Quoting Steve L on 15 Jun 2020 07:48 AM

    I generally run 95 premium but it's getting harder to find now. Quite a few servos are now only offering Ethonol blend, 91 and 98, not sure why they are no longer stocking 95.

    That sucks, dunno if it still holds true but ethanol was not compatable with some of the fuel system components, do the latest owner manuals say anything about using it I wonder?
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Considering this is a 10 year old thread  I have a relevant question.
    What is the difference between E10  fuel now and E10 fuel back then?
    My bike is 18 years old so I  dont put E10 in it but thats only because it might perish the rubber fuel hoses and rubber o rings and gaskets etc that wernt designed for ethanol.
    The new machines have rubber gaskets etc that are compatable with E10 .
    There must be heaps of people on here with brand new or late model bikes , what does the manual reccommend you put in them?
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    4 years ago
    Quoting beaglebasher on 15 Jun 2020 10:46 AM

    Considering this is a 10 year old thread  I have a relevant question.

    What is the difference between E10  fuel now and E10 fuel back then?
    My bike is 18 years old so I  dont put E10 in it but thats only because it might perish the rubber fuel hoses and rubber o rings and gaskets etc that wernt designed for ethanol.
    The new machines have rubber gaskets etc that are compatable with E10 .
    There must be heaps of people on here with brand new or late model bikes , what does the manual reccommend you put in them?

    2019 Roadglide S, 91 (ron 95) that's from the book
  • B0nes
    B0nes
    4 years ago
    Have 2 servos nearby, 1 BP and 1 Shell. I have always filled up with 98 from the BP and the missus used to go to the Shell and fill up with the top stuff there. Her car always ran like crap and her mechanics kept asking her if she was using cheap fuel. Since I convinced her to fill up from the BP her car runs smoother and she's getting a small increase in economy.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Don't know what you mean by that soapy. Does  the  book mention  anything about  ethanol  blended fuels?
  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    Quoting beaglebasher on 15 Jun 2020 12:52 PM

    Don't know what you mean by that soapy. Does  the  book mention  anything about  ethanol  blended fuels?

    From my owner's manual (M8):
    Table 1. Octane Rating 
    SPECIFICATION
    RATING
    Pump Octane (R+M)/2
    91 (95 RON)
    Table 2. Fuel Specification
    COMMON IDENTIFIER
    SPECIFICATION
    RATING
    MTBE
    Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
    Gasoline/METHYL TERTIARY BUTYL ETHER (MTBE) blends are a mixture of gasoline and as much as 15 percent MTBE. Gasoline/MTBE blends use in your motorcycle is approved.
    Methanol
    Methanol or Racing Fuel
    Do not use racing fuel or fuel containing methanol; use of these fuels will damage the fuel system.
    1062785
    5 Percent Ethanol
    Fuels with an ethanol content of up to 5 percent (E5) may be used in your motorcycle without affecting vehicle performance.
    1062784
    10 Percent Ethanol
    Fuels with an ethanol content of up to 10 percent (E10) may be used in your motorcycle without affecting vehicle performance.
    United States customers: The United States’ Clean Air Act prohibits the use of gasoline blends containing greater than 10% ethanol in motorcycles.
    22 Percent Ethanol
    Fuel in the Brazilian market has ethanol content which ranges from 21-27.5%. H-D Motorcycles configured for Brazil are equipped with engine control calibrations developed to work properly with these fuels. Use of fuels with high ethanol content in H-D motorcycles intended for other regulatory markets may result in poor drivability, setting of the check engine light and potential engine damage.
    1062782
    85 Percent Ethanol
    Do not use fuel containing 85 percent ethanol. Use of these fuels will damage the fuel system and may lead to engine damage.

    So 95 or more is required. E10 is ok (provided it is 95 octane or more, which some sources are). I'd be surprised if it were otherwise since nearly all fuel in some states in the USA are required to contain ethanol (thanks corn farmers!) so it would be stupid not to engineer for it.

    For older models, of course YMMV.
  • Jay-Dee
    Jay-Dee
    4 years ago
    Quoting beaglebasher on 15 Jun 2020 12:52 PM

    Don't know what you mean by that soapy. Does  the  book mention  anything about  ethanol  blended fuels?

    Hey beagle, Australian fuels are measured in Research Octane Number (RON) so 95 (premium) going by Soapboxes post and RossW's above.
    American fuels are measured in Research + Motor octane (R+M)/2 so their 91 is equivalent to our 95, and their 93 is equivalent to our 98. Motor octane is typically lower than research, I hope this helps.

    Jason
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    4 years ago
    Quoting B0nes on 15 Jun 2020 11:48 AM

    Have 2 servos nearby, 1 BP and 1 Shell. I have always filled up with 98 from the BP and the missus used to go to the Shell and fill up with the top stuff there. Her car always ran like crap and her mechanics kept asking her if she was using cheap fuel. Since I convinced her to fill up from the BP her car runs smoother and she's getting a small increase in economy.

    good point! I've got a mate with an engine dyno, he builds ( machines, line hones, decks so on ) custom order motors then runs them in on Dyno then tunes ( efi or carb, natural aspirated or turbo or supercharged . he also tests fuel checks combustion chamber temp, and a f r, depending on what customer wants. he was saying the BP checks out better than Shell. he mostly uses BP98, but depends on the motor. I would expect the EFI Harley's to have knock sensors so I suppose if they are running trouble free . stick with what's working. but for me I'll look at the trap speeds I get to at the drag strip & if I have time on same day will try and test different fuel ( but I doubt that will happen as I will ride to track & ride home. ) I still think that long black Dyno the best test!! but still to get there on the sporty, but soon.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Thanks Ross and thanks JD.  That does explain things very well.
    So there is no reason not to use E10 fuel in a modern bike?  Anybody know roughly what year HD made their bikes compatible with E10?
    I will continue to avoid it in my 2002 model.
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    4 years ago
    Quoting beaglebasher on 15 Jun 2020 12:52 PM

    Don't know what you mean by that soapy. Does  the  book mention  anything about  ethanol  blended fuels?

    Quoting Jay-Dee on 16 Jun 2020 12:08 AMedited: 16 Jun 2020 12:14 AM

    Hey beagle, Australian fuels are measured in Research Octane Number (RON) so 95 (premium) going by Soapboxes post and RossW's above.

    American fuels are measured in Research + Motor octane (R+M)/2 so their 91 is equivalent to our 95, and their 93 is equivalent to our 98. Motor octane is typically lower than research, I hope this helps.

    Jason

    So where is our fuel made now?
    also what things can lower the octane?

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