How much regular gas...
Forum member Clint55 gave me a little hook that clips inside your gas cap. I hang the cap on my front brake line.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: North Cackalacky
If this is what I had to worry about I would be liv'n a good life. I much more important things to spend my brain power on than something that is this silly. You can't fix it. Well you could. Buy an octane booster and carry a gas can with you at ALL TIMES. Fill the gas container then add the octane booster, then fill your bike. That way you would know exactly what grade you were getting...oh yeah, save a bit out of every container so you can double check the octane! That should put the demons in your head to bed for good.
I carry litmus strips to test the octane level after each fill up. Octane boost and ethanol reducer are then used to modify mixture to the optimum level of 92. I also never use a green handled hose and only buy gas on days that end with the letter "Y".
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Boston
If prior posts are correct, here's another fix:
Step 1. Set the pump to premium and pump 1/2 gallon into a gas can for your lawn mower. This assumes the prior person at the pump purchased regular. And I have no advice for how to carry the gas can.
Step 2. Fill your tank to within 1/2 gallon of full with the premium and pay for the gas.
Step 3. Switch the pump to regular and pump the remaining 1/2 gallon of premim in the hose into your tank; while paying the regular price. Pay again.
Alternative:
Step 1. Set the pump to premium, fill the tank, and enjoy the ride.
Step 2. Go home and drink beer until this is no longer a problem.
Step 1. Set the pump to premium and pump 1/2 gallon into a gas can for your lawn mower. This assumes the prior person at the pump purchased regular. And I have no advice for how to carry the gas can.
Step 2. Fill your tank to within 1/2 gallon of full with the premium and pay for the gas.
Step 3. Switch the pump to regular and pump the remaining 1/2 gallon of premim in the hose into your tank; while paying the regular price. Pay again.
Alternative:
Step 1. Set the pump to premium, fill the tank, and enjoy the ride.
Step 2. Go home and drink beer until this is no longer a problem.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 6
From: Lapeer , Mich
YES it is a rainy crappy weekend here in Mich and we need to read something
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
I sit and wait until I see someone pump their car or bike full of premium then I hurry up behind them so I can use the same pump and hose. Some days it takes a few hours, but the damn gas stations aren't going to screw me, no sir!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: Saint George, UT
Just throwing this out there: I would guess most bikes would run better on a lower octane anyway. As far as I know, octane rating is the only difference between premium and lesser grades. The detergents are the same.
When it comes to gas, it's all about matching octane rating to compression ratio. There are two ways you can light the gas in your engine, one is with spark and the other is with compression. All higher octane does is make the fuel less prone to igniting under compression. Lower octane gas will usually burn cleaner in a lower compression engine because it is easier to ignite. If you have a stock engine, I don't think it will make any difference what fuel you use. If you fill up with 87 one trip and 93 the next I doubt you would notice any difference in performance. And the lower octane will probably burn cleaner leaving less carbon deposits, etc.
All that being said, I always run premium. Mentally I know it's probably a waste of money, but my soul says give my bike the love she needs. I just don't sweat it when there is only one hose and I know I'm getting some lower octane in the hose.
When it comes to gas, it's all about matching octane rating to compression ratio. There are two ways you can light the gas in your engine, one is with spark and the other is with compression. All higher octane does is make the fuel less prone to igniting under compression. Lower octane gas will usually burn cleaner in a lower compression engine because it is easier to ignite. If you have a stock engine, I don't think it will make any difference what fuel you use. If you fill up with 87 one trip and 93 the next I doubt you would notice any difference in performance. And the lower octane will probably burn cleaner leaving less carbon deposits, etc.
All that being said, I always run premium. Mentally I know it's probably a waste of money, but my soul says give my bike the love she needs. I just don't sweat it when there is only one hose and I know I'm getting some lower octane in the hose.
Last edited by nickeenoo; May 15, 2011 at 03:14 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
I like it....I'll put that into play when I have some extra time, I spend most of my extra time now out behind the dealership picking out the empty oil containers so I can get the little bit of oil all the wasteful techs leave behind. Takes up alot of my free time but it's worth it though, heck I've saved at least 20 bucks over the years.
Last edited by qtrracer; May 15, 2011 at 03:43 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
..oh man...I needed a GOOD LAUGH!..and this thread did the trick..I'm picturing one guy waiting for an hour for someone to pump Premium so he can throw it on regular and get some free high test....and another guy dumpster-diving for empty oil quarts so he can drain out an extra pint from 100 empties....