Regular gas???
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
Traildog,
I don't know enough to explain it well but since I started this thread I've been doing some research...take a look at wiki, it explained it well and I'd only be repeating what I read there last night ...LOl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_knocking
Doug
I don't know enough to explain it well but since I started this thread I've been doing some research...take a look at wiki, it explained it well and I'd only be repeating what I read there last night ...LOl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_knocking
Doug
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
Without getting into a big long speech, the lower the octane you can run without getting into detonation the better, 87 is volitale and burns quicker than 93.
I also never read the manual, mine says "atleast 87octane", I just always put premium in because everyone said so. I have no idea what my compression ratio is, the PO put a cam in and had head work done. This bike pulls much harder than my last EVO which was a stage 1 -1999 FXSTC.
Kushman noted that his regular is not corn gas, I'd like to find out what ours is but it's hard to find a gas station attendant who speaks english. I'm going to call the state today and find out what we have and if it changes through out the year.
Another question:
I've noticed in many threads that guys are running 48-50 and 180-190 jets on bikes with just a cam and I wondered how they get away with it and not run rich? I'm running 45/165 with 1or2 washers under the needle, idle screw one turn out and my plugs show a very slight rich condition-40/42mpg-plenty of power with no flatspots and I never need WOT-(it's pretty fast for what it is).
Thanks for the responces, I'm learning something..
Doug
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 1
Well, last night I got the big long speach from a good friend who is also an excellant car mechanic, he said the same thing and explained it, never knew that.
I also never read the manual, mine says "atleast 87octane", I just always put premium in because everyone said so. I have no idea what my compression ratio is, the PO put a cam in and had head work done. This bike pulls much harder than my last EVO which was a stage 1 -1999 FXSTC.
Kushman noted that his regular is not corn gas, I'd like to find out what ours is but it's hard to find a gas station attendant who speaks english. I'm going to call the state today and find out what we have and if it changes through out the year.
Another question:
I've noticed in many threads that guys are running 48-50 and 180-190 jets on bikes with just a cam and I wondered how they get away with it and not run rich? I'm running 45/165 with 1or2 washers under the needle, idle screw one turn out and my plugs show a very slight rich condition-40/42mpg-plenty of power with no flatspots and I never need WOT-(it's pretty fast for what it is).
Thanks for the responces, I'm learning something..
Doug
I also never read the manual, mine says "atleast 87octane", I just always put premium in because everyone said so. I have no idea what my compression ratio is, the PO put a cam in and had head work done. This bike pulls much harder than my last EVO which was a stage 1 -1999 FXSTC.
Kushman noted that his regular is not corn gas, I'd like to find out what ours is but it's hard to find a gas station attendant who speaks english. I'm going to call the state today and find out what we have and if it changes through out the year.
Another question:
I've noticed in many threads that guys are running 48-50 and 180-190 jets on bikes with just a cam and I wondered how they get away with it and not run rich? I'm running 45/165 with 1or2 washers under the needle, idle screw one turn out and my plugs show a very slight rich condition-40/42mpg-plenty of power with no flatspots and I never need WOT-(it's pretty fast for what it is).
Thanks for the responces, I'm learning something..
Doug
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
There are so many variables in the stock Harley production engines. That is why some engines like regular and some don't. Add to that carbon build up, engine wear, riding style, one-up/two-up, and gearing along with all the other variables, some engines will ping and some won't. Now for the kicker----if you fuel up at a station that has only one hose you are getting almost a gallon of whatever was pumped last, which is usually regular. If you only take three gallons of fuel, two are 93 octane and one is 87 octane for a blend of 91 octane. So you are only running mid grade!!!!!!!
Don't forget different areas of the country have different blends and they also change with the seasons too.
Don't forget different areas of the country have different blends and they also change with the seasons too.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 515
Likes: 3
From: Tipp City Ohio
if you fuel up at a station that has only one hose you are getting almost a gallon of whatever was pumped last, which is usually regular. If you only take three gallons of fuel, two are 93 octane and one is 87 octane for a blend of 91 octane. So you are only running mid grade!!!!!!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Me too if the only place we can find has one hose!!!! :-))
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
There are so many variables in the stock Harley production engines. That is why some engines like regular and some don't. Add to that carbon build up, engine wear, riding style, one-up/two-up, and gearing along with all the other variables, some engines will ping and some won't. Now for the kicker----if you fuel up at a station that has only one hose you are getting almost a gallon of whatever was pumped last, which is usually regular. If you only take three gallons of fuel, two are 93 octane and one is 87 octane for a blend of 91 octane. So you are only running mid grade!!!!!!!
Don't forget different areas of the country have different blends and they also change with the seasons too.
Don't forget different areas of the country have different blends and they also change with the seasons too.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
John,
I can only find one supplier in my area that still uses separate hoses and when I ran only premium I went out of my way a little to go there. Since I'm running regular I can go anyware because odds are the last vehicle use it.
Doug
I can only find one supplier in my area that still uses separate hoses and when I ran only premium I went out of my way a little to go there. Since I'm running regular I can go anyware because odds are the last vehicle use it.
Doug
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Last year I ranthe highest grade in my bike and my wifes 99 sporty. If I ran the lowest in her sporty she would get run on. If I ran the lowest in mine it didn't seem to make a difference. This year she has the 89 heritage so we shall see.