Premium Leaded fuel alternitives
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 184
Likes: 133
From: Outside Sacramento CA
I had many friends that didn't change a thing, and ran the unleaded gas with no problem. I heard bad things would happen, but can't recall anyone having a problem. There were many shops that made the conversion, maybe they started the stories.
Heads were cheap back then at swap meets, I bought a pair, and had the conversion done, so if anything went wrong, I could bolt my old ones back on. I just didn't feel lucky, and wanted to cover all the bases.
Heads were cheap back then at swap meets, I bought a pair, and had the conversion done, so if anything went wrong, I could bolt my old ones back on. I just didn't feel lucky, and wanted to cover all the bases.
It's not stories. However it's not instantaneous either. You can get away with it for a long time if your valves are in good condition. It eats away at your valve and seat, usually it's the exhaust because of the higher temperature. Google ( if you must use it ) valve recession and you will get the answer.
Jeff
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 759
Likes: 936
From: Under the affluence of incahol.
Just throw a bit of that lead substitute liquid into the tank and ride on.
I don't even bother doing that with any of my old bikes and never had a problem yet running on unleaded all the time. Yeah, maybe the exhaust valve seats will wear out a bit quicker than they would with lead, but it still seems to take many many thousands of miles. Tens of thousands of miles.
Intake valve seats don't care at all. I got modern unleaded exhaust valve seats put into an old Ironhead that was worn out from old age and mega miles, all on leaded back in the day, and have done at least 10,000 miles since and only once had to adjust either intake or exhaust pushrod clearances, and that was by a tiny amount, maybe one thou or so . So no great seat recession going on there with either type running on unleaded with no additive.
On the other hand, I have seen old BMW Airheads that seem to have valves seats made of cheese and don't play well at all without leaded fuel. But never seen a Harley do that.
I don't even bother doing that with any of my old bikes and never had a problem yet running on unleaded all the time. Yeah, maybe the exhaust valve seats will wear out a bit quicker than they would with lead, but it still seems to take many many thousands of miles. Tens of thousands of miles.
Intake valve seats don't care at all. I got modern unleaded exhaust valve seats put into an old Ironhead that was worn out from old age and mega miles, all on leaded back in the day, and have done at least 10,000 miles since and only once had to adjust either intake or exhaust pushrod clearances, and that was by a tiny amount, maybe one thou or so . So no great seat recession going on there with either type running on unleaded with no additive.
On the other hand, I have seen old BMW Airheads that seem to have valves seats made of cheese and don't play well at all without leaded fuel. But never seen a Harley do that.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 282
Likes: 129
From: Palm City, FL
Might check out the ACES IV stuff from BND Automotive. https://bndautomotive.com/aces-formu...oline-formula/
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