Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club
November 22, 2025, 09:35:39 PM *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Ultimate Seats Link VRCC Store
Homepage : Photostash : JustPics : Shoptalk : Old Tech Archive : Classifieds : Contact Staff
News: If you're new to this message board, read THIS!
 
VRCC Calendar Ad
Pages: [1]   Go Down
Print
Author Topic: Non ethenol questions  (Read 499 times)
bagelboy
Member
*****
Posts: 512

Woodstock NY


« on: November 10, 2015, 05:03:49 AM »

This year a chain of gas stations (Stewarts), has started selling non ethanol gas, I think 90 octane. I've been using it all summer and fall. The two questions I have is that I noticed when I started using it, I needed to turn my idle down. With 10% ethenol gas my bike was idling around 1000 rpms, with non ethenol, it idled around 1400 rpms. So I turned it down and it has idled at 1000 rpms since.Does that make sense? Also, since it is non ethenol, will I need to put stabilizer in for the winter? I always did with 10% ethenol! but this is non ethenol.
Logged

1997 Valkyrie Tourer, 2005 GL 1800, 1987 GL 1200 Aspencade.
Patrick
Member
*****
Posts: 15433


VRCC 4474

Largo Florida


« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2015, 07:15:26 AM »

I think its a good idea to put engines up for the winter with non-ethanal and Sea-Foam. This also needs to get thru the carburetors to do any good.

Non-ethanal lasts quite awhile before it starts to varnish. Aviation fuel lasts almost forever.

I don't know about the idle speed issue. Ethanal fuel has less energy.
Logged
old2soon
Member
*****
Posts: 23512

Willow Springs mo


« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2015, 07:43:17 AM »

My brother-da prez-and I came up on a gas station when we NEEDED gas and surprise surprise-it were corn free gasoline-the real deal.  cooldude We pulled over for a break-we had been on THE Dragon prior to fueling and 60 or 70 miles after we had fueled started comparing notes and figured out we had unleashed most of the potential of the Fat Ladies with corn free fuel. Mileage AND performance had increased. I M H O-there IS a distinct difference in performance between corn free and the OTHER stuff!  Lips Sealed RIDE SAFE.
Logged

Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check.  1964  1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240  2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
WintrSol
Member
*****
Posts: 1374


Florissant, MO


« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2015, 08:10:23 AM »

So, yeah, ethanol has considerably less energy per gallon than gasoline; it also has a much higher octane value, because it's so hard to light. The result is less power, lower mpg, and, yes, it can affect idle rpm changes. For the EPA, it's great stuff, as it brings some of its own oxygenators, so, less pollution without that cancer-causing stuff they used first. Of course, pollution wise, it may be a net negative, when you account for all the chemicals the farmers use to grow it, and the processing. There are lots of statistical arguments about that, though. "Lies, cursed lies, and statistics."
Logged

98 Honda Valkyrie GL1500CT Tourer
Photo of my FIL Jack, in honor of his WWII service
RainMaker
Member
*****
Posts: 6626


VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473

Arlington, TX


« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2015, 09:16:47 AM »

Real gas can gum up the works in a carburetor, too, so I'd still put stabilizer in. 

I remember my grandfather running the fuel out of the carbs on the mowers to keep the gum out come spring before ethanol was in the gasoline.

And I get about 10% better mileage on pure gas in my Interstate as well.
Logged



2005 BMW R1200 GS
2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1998 Valkyrie Tourer
1981 GL1100I GoldWing
1972 CB500K1
bentwrench
Member
*****
Posts: 760

Philadelphia,Pa.


« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2015, 01:56:13 PM »

I have the puregas app on my phone.Where ever i go I just turn it on and see all the stations with corn free fuel and the distance from current position.It doesn't help much around the big cities but Ive found good fuel all over the place with the app.
Logged
Headbanger02
Member
*****
Posts: 58

New Albany Indiana


« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2015, 02:03:33 PM »

This year a chain of gas stations (Stewarts), has started selling non ethanol gas, I think 90 octane. I've been using it all summer and fall. The two questions I have is that I noticed when I started using it, I needed to turn my idle down. With 10% ethenol gas my bike was idling around 1000 rpms, with non ethenol, it idled around 1400 rpms. So I turned it down and it has idled at 1000 rpms since.Does that make sense? Also, since it is non ethenol, will I need to put stabilizer in for the winter? I always did with 10% ethenol! but this is non ethenol.

I started running 90 octane non ethanol a couple of months ago, and I too had to turn my idle down, but mine jumped up to 1200 rpm, I keep it at 1000 rpm...... Smiley
Logged
Bighead
Member
*****
Posts: 8654


Madison Alabama


« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2015, 05:14:35 PM »

Liquor free fuel is mo better in any situation cooldude
Logged

1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
cookiedough
Member
*****
Posts: 11785

southern WI


« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2015, 09:45:31 PM »

same here,  from near 1000 to 1200-1300 rpms at idle with 91 octane NON ethanol gas.  I for one did not see the mpg improvement (minimal) nor really much performance gain felt as of now the extra near 1.00 more per gallon in my area is not worth it.  Maybe 40 cents more per gallon  might be worth it,  but not going to waste my money.  However,  I do put 91 octane NON ethanol gas in my last 1-2 tanks of gas before winter with seafoam and stabilizer both with full tank ran thru the carbs for 2-4 miles or so. 

I just have to find the days left next 2 weeks to go for a ride when not busy and burn the 1/2 tank of 87 octane first before filling it up one last time or hoping 2x's.


Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
Print
Jump to: