Ethanol?
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Ethanol?
So I got the service manual for my 2003 sporty and it says quite plainly, like 3 different times, do NOT use gas with ethanol added. Well, I live in Houston, and there's a Federal mandate that all gas sold within 50 miles have ethanol (not sure what the population requirement for that mandate is). So finding ethanol-free gas from traditional sources is not possible.
What to do about this nonsense??? What about go-kart tracks? Do they use ethanol-free gas, and can we get some from them? The way the manual says it, there sure seems to be some detriment to using ethanol-added gas. But will it cause long-term damage? Is it something I actually need to be concerned about, or am I just feeling paranoid about it?
I read somewhere when I started researching this, that you can mix a small amount of water in the gas (not in the tank, of course, in a different container), say equivalent to 1/4 or so of the total volume, mix it up good and the ethanol will get absorbed in the water. Overnight, the gas and water/ethanol will separate with the gas floating on top, which you can then siphon off ethanol-free. I don't know, seems risky (and a lot of trouble). Are you SURE there's no water in that gas? Might not be worth the trouble.
I may be over-thinking this. Thoughts?
What to do about this nonsense??? What about go-kart tracks? Do they use ethanol-free gas, and can we get some from them? The way the manual says it, there sure seems to be some detriment to using ethanol-added gas. But will it cause long-term damage? Is it something I actually need to be concerned about, or am I just feeling paranoid about it?
I read somewhere when I started researching this, that you can mix a small amount of water in the gas (not in the tank, of course, in a different container), say equivalent to 1/4 or so of the total volume, mix it up good and the ethanol will get absorbed in the water. Overnight, the gas and water/ethanol will separate with the gas floating on top, which you can then siphon off ethanol-free. I don't know, seems risky (and a lot of trouble). Are you SURE there's no water in that gas? Might not be worth the trouble.
I may be over-thinking this. Thoughts?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 186
From: east texas
Yep overthinking.
I use enthanol gas in all my bikes, 78 ,91 ,and 03.
also use it in my 200 hp outboard.
you do lose a little power,milage, and it doesn like sitting in the tank a long time.
Just make sure your fuel lines are good(alcohol resistant).
the "corn/fuel" is the biggest scam ever pullled on the american people,
however It is usable ,and if your like me it is all I can get where I live.
I use enthanol gas in all my bikes, 78 ,91 ,and 03.
also use it in my 200 hp outboard.
you do lose a little power,milage, and it doesn like sitting in the tank a long time.
Just make sure your fuel lines are good(alcohol resistant).
the "corn/fuel" is the biggest scam ever pullled on the american people,
however It is usable ,and if your like me it is all I can get where I live.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: South West Missouri
I have the exact make/model/year .....so our owners manuals *should* be the same.
Page 41: Gasoline Blends
"Do not use gasoline that contains METHANOL" ...methanol & ethanol are NOT the same.
Gasoline/ethanol blends are just fine in our bikes
Page 41: Gasoline Blends
"Do not use gasoline that contains METHANOL" ...methanol & ethanol are NOT the same.
Gasoline/ethanol blends are just fine in our bikes
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 18
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From: Houston
Using gasoline that has an alcohol additive, such as methanol, may cause fuel system rubber components' failure and/or engine damage.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles were designed to give the best performance using unleaded gasoline. Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline/alcohol blends as a fuel.
[methanol - do not use]
[ethanol] Gasoline/ethanol blends can be used in your motorcycle if the ethanol content does not exceed 10%.
[reformulated/oxygenated - generally ok]
Because of their generally higher volatility, these blends may adversely affect the starting, drivability and fuel efficiency of your motorcycle. If you experience these problems, Harley-Davidson recommends you operate your motorcycle on straight, unleaded gasoline.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles were designed to give the best performance using unleaded gasoline. Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline/alcohol blends as a fuel.
[methanol - do not use]
[ethanol] Gasoline/ethanol blends can be used in your motorcycle if the ethanol content does not exceed 10%.
[reformulated/oxygenated - generally ok]
Because of their generally higher volatility, these blends may adversely affect the starting, drivability and fuel efficiency of your motorcycle. If you experience these problems, Harley-Davidson recommends you operate your motorcycle on straight, unleaded gasoline.
So maybe I was overreacting, since the only one they strictly forbid is methanol. But from what it says as a whole, I think I'd still feel more confortable if I could just find non-ethanol gas.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
Yeah don't worry.
No blends are allowed to be higher than 10% right now by law.
In Illinois, ALL gas from EVERY vendor has 10% ethanol. It causes havok for lawn mowers and little engines with cheap gas lines, but cars and bikes are just fine.
No blends are allowed to be higher than 10% right now by law.
In Illinois, ALL gas from EVERY vendor has 10% ethanol. It causes havok for lawn mowers and little engines with cheap gas lines, but cars and bikes are just fine.
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No doubt we Can run ethanol blend in our bikes. BUT, they do run Better on ethanol-free gasoline.
Here is a good link for finding ethanol-free gasoline.
http://www.pure-gas.org/
I found a station about 15 miles from me on the list. Been using it for about a month in both bikes. They run better, get better MPG AND it is less expensive!
Kevin
Here is a good link for finding ethanol-free gasoline.
http://www.pure-gas.org/
I found a station about 15 miles from me on the list. Been using it for about a month in both bikes. They run better, get better MPG AND it is less expensive!
Kevin
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
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From: Wisconsin, USA
If we let you get the proper gas, how are any of the politicians gonna do well in the Iowa caucauses?
In WI here most stations have ethanol free premium, so they don't wreck our boat engines. The politicians know they better not mess with beer, fishing or the Packers if they want to get reelected.
In WI here most stations have ethanol free premium, so they don't wreck our boat engines. The politicians know they better not mess with beer, fishing or the Packers if they want to get reelected.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 2
From: Saint Johns, FL
The two things you will see with 10% ethanol is about 10% worse gas mileage, and the injectors or carb jets will start clogging up in only a week or so of sitting, instead of a couple of months with non-ethanol gas.