Exhaust System Topics New and old exhaust system discussions. Fitment issues to sound bites and suggestions. Post them here.

Fuel

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 12, 2006 | 09:54 PM
  #1  
landlords2's Avatar
landlords2
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From:
Default Fuel

Will 110 octane racing fuel hurt an 02 softail? Racing fuel has lead in it was just wondering?
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 10:54 PM
  #2  
Rhubarb's Avatar
Rhubarb
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
Default RE: Fuel

Lead shouldn't hurt since you dont have a cat converter. (ask speedster about those)

It will not benefit you unless you are running really high compression and are tuned for it. It will cause carbon build up in the long term if you are not set up to take advantage of it.

Do you just have a surplus of it and are trying to save money? Maybe mix it with regular fuel to lower octane rating.

 
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 11:17 PM
  #3  
landlords2's Avatar
landlords2
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Fuel

Ever since the stations here in souteast Texas started getting in there new summer blend for this year ( about 3 tanks ago for me) bike has ran like ****. Guy I know told me it wouldnt hurt to mix 50/50 so I did and the difference it made was night and day. Dosent seem to lug down and clatter at low speeds and has alot more response. They tested the premium tanks in my town the other day and what was suppose to be 93 oct. was only 87 in 3 of the station Exxon and Texaco being two of them. I was thinking that could have been what made it run so bad. All I really know is it runs a heck of alot smoother and cooler on the 110 so if its not going to hurt it I will continue to run it mixed.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 11:18 PM
  #4  
geno3j's Avatar
geno3j
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 1
From: Iwakuni, Japan
Default RE: Fuel

Wow Im not sure but would worry about burning rings or something.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2006 | 11:35 PM
  #5  
Rhubarb's Avatar
Rhubarb
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
Default RE: Fuel

High octane doesn't burn any hotter, it just resists burning more so you can get the better squish.
I wouldn't worry about burning rings, but as I mentioned before, long term use will cause carbon build up on your pistons. That will cause hot-spots, which will cause pre-detonation.

Mixing is your best bet if you cant get good gas where you are. You might even run a bit cooler from the lubrication of the lead.

 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DMWyant
General Harley Davidson Chat
40
Jun 23, 2015 09:17 PM
nunez8853
Sportster Models
29
Jul 7, 2012 09:19 AM
mentor70
General Harley Davidson Chat
23
Jan 17, 2011 08:14 AM
toddomen
General Harley Davidson Chat
4
Apr 20, 2008 06:32 PM
lionsqrne
Softail Models
3
May 1, 2007 06:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:43 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE