Low Octane Fuel Effects
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 94
From: SE Michigan
I'll have to find a shell then. I can never find a pump without a 10% decal on it. This is on the states web page.
President Bush signed into law the 2005 Energy Policy Act on August 5, 2005, which includes a 7.5 billion gallon renewable fuels standard by 2012. This mandates the use of ethanol (and biodiesel) in the American fuel supply. Annual U.S. production of ethanol has surpassed the 4.85 billion gallon mark as of January 1, 2007.
President Bush signed into law the 2005 Energy Policy Act on August 5, 2005, which includes a 7.5 billion gallon renewable fuels standard by 2012. This mandates the use of ethanol (and biodiesel) in the American fuel supply. Annual U.S. production of ethanol has surpassed the 4.85 billion gallon mark as of January 1, 2007.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 5
From: Emerald Coast, FL
I have always run 87 octane in my 03 Fatboy w/ Carburetor... runs great even with 15% ethanol. Have been all over Canada, Mexico, and the USA on this bike and the 87 octane is the same everywhere. I did change out all the rubber parts in the fuel system to accommodate for the ethanol... over time it tends to disintegrate rubber. It was no big deal to find the proper parts and swap them out.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
In Kansas, most of our gas is pure gas. You can buy ethanol if you want, but most stations sell pure gasoline also.
I worked for a refinery for many years, and I can tell you that the governmernt regulates gasoline formulation to the point that all gasoline is the same. The only thing different, is the additives that each company uses. We sold gasoline to Phillips, Standard, and many other gas companys. When the tankers came in to load, we added the additives that that company used. So at least in this part of the country, if you buy Shell gasoline, it may be from any refinery, but it will have Shell additives.
I worked for a refinery for many years, and I can tell you that the governmernt regulates gasoline formulation to the point that all gasoline is the same. The only thing different, is the additives that each company uses. We sold gasoline to Phillips, Standard, and many other gas companys. When the tankers came in to load, we added the additives that that company used. So at least in this part of the country, if you buy Shell gasoline, it may be from any refinery, but it will have Shell additives.
octane ?
True JK, I managed a Shell station many moons ago when gas was .28 cents a gallon, (now you know how old I am) and that was before additives. When I travel and I do quite a bit, I try to use the major brands when ever possible, and so far even when I use the 10% I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES. When I rode to Alaska in 2008 you were pretty much at the mercy of what they had. Still had no problems. I am of the old generation, that you run what ever makes you feel good and don't cause any problems. So that's why I use the 89 most all of the time and occasionly run a tank of 91 when the temps get warmer, soon I hope.
JMHO
JMHO
Stage I
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
I was wondering can low grade gas cause seals to breakdown cause I have a 2000 something model sportster that has smoke coming from the top of the front head I don't know what's up with it any help would be much appreciated
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 8
From: southern IL
That's not much to go on and I'm not too sure what it has to do with fuel usage. Maybe start a new thread with some details and you'll probably get better responses.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
As far as Ur oil getting dirty, really dirty that fast (700miles) makes me wonder,, What filter U using.
Is it a HD or aftermarket filter,????
Some aftermarket filters don't have the right flow pressure and could be putting Ur oil in the BY_PASS mode all the time..
This is the big reason I use different oils than HD,, but I won't use any other filter.
Also how long have U owned the bike,?? How many miles on her and how was she maintained before.???
She may have been neglected somewhere along her life.
.
Is it a HD or aftermarket filter,????
Some aftermarket filters don't have the right flow pressure and could be putting Ur oil in the BY_PASS mode all the time..
This is the big reason I use different oils than HD,, but I won't use any other filter.
Also how long have U owned the bike,?? How many miles on her and how was she maintained before.???
She may have been neglected somewhere along her life.
.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 4
From: Florida
So is it better to run a lower octane but ethanol free gas or a higher octane 10% ethanol and add a stabilizer? I hate the ethanlo and what it does to alot of motors so I found a local station that has ethanol free but it is only like 87 octane I think. I have been using it no problems and no knocking.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 875
Likes: 10
From: Corp of Discovery trail, Missouri
I run only pure gas in my bikes, no ethanol. This is a great link and shows all of the service stations in your area that sell non ethanol gasoline.
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
There's nothing wrong with having ethanol in gasoline. In fact, many have switched their ultra-high performance engines over to E-85, rather than using race gas. It's about the best thing to come along for the serious hot rodder in a long time. I have a buddy making 1800 horsepower out of a Big Block on E-85. And most of the "pump gas" dyno shootout winners are using E-85, when it's allowed.