Ethanol free
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Many years ago, I had a chance to buy a Sportster for a friend of mine. It was an 05 883 Low. The seller said that he had problems trying to get it to run properly. I asked him what type of gas that he had been running in it and he said Regular. I kept my thoughts to myself and made him an offer that he accepted. It Did run like crap but before I left town, I filled it up with Premium. In the 30 miles or so that I rode before I got home, it was running like a charm. Lucky for me that the previous owner didn't know what he was doing and I did.
Many years ago, I had a chance to buy a Sportster for a friend of mine. It was an 05 883 Low. The seller said that he had problems trying to get it to run properly. I asked him what type of gas that he had been running in it and he said Regular. I kept my thoughts to myself and made him an offer that he accepted. It Did run like crap but before I left town, I filled it up with Premium. In the 30 miles or so that I rode before I got home, it was running like a charm. Lucky for me that the previous owner didn't know what he was doing and I did.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
I use ethanol in my Mustang and the two baggers that stay in Florida for the summer BUT ONLY when I am putting them up for their 5 month sleep.
Get them as close to empty as I can and fill them to the top, then ride the 15 miles home and put them up.
All vehicles made in the last 20 years have been made with fuel system components that will not be harmed by 10% corn juice, but CARBURATED BIKES do NOT LIKE SITTING FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS with that crap in them, nor does and other small engine with tiny jets and passages.
I'd be more concerned that you used a "Top Tier" gas with an additive passage that made sure the injectors and valves did not get carboned up.
Get them as close to empty as I can and fill them to the top, then ride the 15 miles home and put them up.
All vehicles made in the last 20 years have been made with fuel system components that will not be harmed by 10% corn juice, but CARBURATED BIKES do NOT LIKE SITTING FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS with that crap in them, nor does and other small engine with tiny jets and passages.
I'd be more concerned that you used a "Top Tier" gas with an additive passage that made sure the injectors and valves did not get carboned up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
One of the best things that you can do for a gasoline powered engine is to keep the gas tank full, so there's no room for condensation to form inside the tank.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 600
From: The 1980's
Here in upstate N.Y. Stewart's convenience stores carry Ethanol Free high octane gas. After my carb gumed up in my snow thrower due to ethanol l run It I all my power equipment and my bike. Ethanol is not good. It attracts moisture in the fuel, it creates a harden gum on parts and it damages plastic and rubber components in the fuel system. Vehicles run better and get better gas mileage without it. Government b.s. to subsidize the corn growers. Now there's a move to go to 15 percent in our fuel which is worse. Join the A M.A. and you can read all about what it and what it does inside your motor and fuel system, from proven test data. If, you run ethanol.fuel add an ethanol additive to your gas to counter act the adverse effects of it.
Last edited by 2goldens; Mar 19, 2022 at 03:27 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 4,208
From: NC
^ Nailed it. My '06 Sportster (carb) hated sitting for a few months with Ethanol. Never could get chain saws, weed eaters, and blowers to start after winter with ethanol. Switched to non Ethanol, never a problem.