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I tried some octane booster, not sure if it did anything for performance, but it turned my spark plugs kind of a weird brown color. I stopped and now they look more like they should.
John
Last edited by John Harper; May 4, 2023 at 09:54 PM.
It shouldn't. Maybe if you use a lot of it, not sure. I use octane booster every time I fill up as my bike will ping under heavy load without it. California gas is terrible.
I can't recall any wierd brown spark plugs but octane booster is a wierd brown color and will stain anything you store it in that color so I guess that's not surprising.
Last edited by OCSpringer; May 5, 2023 at 09:11 AM.
It should actually help prevent it, since the whole point of higher octane is to control spark knock as it changes the combustion properties of gasoline.
You must have very low grade fuel in The States if you are having to use an octane booster, I use Shell V-Power E5 Super Unleaded in my XL883N, V-Power is 99 RON.
I've never had any fuel problems with the V-Power.
Not so much in the States as opposed to California. Highest octane we can get is 91. I feel like my bike would love 93 octane.
Is your bike modified? Is it pinging? If the answer to both questions is 'no', you would receive no benefit from 93 octane fuel. Higher octane fuel by itself does not improve performance on an otherwise properly running, properly tuned machine.
From what I've read the rigid mount sportsters seem to be more prone to this due to the design of the heads. I have never been able to tune the ping out, octaine booster seems to be the only thing that helps.
It's always pinged sinse I've owned it if I go WOT especially in 5th gear. I just rebuilt the motor. New heads, pistons, cams, all new ignition and electical. Still pings without octane booster. I haven't adjusted the Voes yet and that might help. I was running a DynaS previously.
Last edited by OCSpringer; May 5, 2023 at 07:39 PM.
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