Ethanol gas in vintage Chief

[T. Cotten]

Don't look now Folks,..

But the old folklore no longer applies to USA pump fuels. And hasn't for years.

We all agree ethanol ruins it for storage (among other things),
but beyond politikal reasons, it is only added for octane.

The fuel is already 'hot' enough for a flatty, and any octane boosts to 'cool' it just goes out of your wallet before it just goes out the exhaust pipes.

Plug "reading" is also 'history', ETHANOL OR NOT, as the injector cleaners, intake valve anti-deposit additives, and dozens of federally-mandated/accepted additives are there just to keep your plugs white, even with a perfect mixture.

Maybe MMO makes them brown anyway, I don't know: Whatever feels good.

...Cotten

[gras]

Hello Cotton:
What do u recommend with old HD? I'm just basic neophyte when it comes to technical aspects in unfamiliar ground. What does this confusion about ethanol do as with older HDs performance and what am I looking for when checking plugs?
Thanks!
Watch ur six,
aerozak

[T. Cotten]

The octane requirement for Flattys was relatively low, Aerozak!

Certainly lower than for modern autos.
(I shall defer to the 'experts' for octane numbers, because yesteryears' and today's octane numbers will not equate anyway.)

Modern pump fuels have more than enough octane for production Flattys, even without ethanol added, and frankly, checking plugs only tells you if they are fouling.
That can rarely be blamed upon the fuel, as much as we would like to...

If you build your machines with nothing for the corrosive ethanol to digest, you will neither miss it, nor need to avoid it.

....Cotten
PS: By 'requirement', it refers to Flatty's higher optimum operating temperature than OHVs: By 100°F or so.
A cooler burning fuel means a longer warm-up to peak performance, if ever,.. particularly for those who may rarely get out of the neighborhood.

[bstevens479]

I carry small bottle of marvel in my saddle bag & run both tanks, at fill up, use about 1/2 shot each tank. I look at it as cheap insurance, as far as octane, the engine doesn't seem to care, so I always go with the cheapest.

[Lipdog]

So Cotton... Thumbs up or down on a bit of MMO in your gas?

[T. Cotten]

So Cotton... Thumbs up or down on a bit of MMO in your gas?

Moderation in all things, Lipdog!

I always used it to soak 'brillo pad' air filters.

Technically, mixed in fuel, it should lower octane, but that is not an issue for Flattys.

It might be the only way to make plugs look "pretty",.. For what that's worth.

....Cotten

[wideglide38]

For a slight diversion with this thread......

I found a smart phone App (Pure Gas) which I use. This app locates gas stations that sell non-ethanol where ever you are. Apple and Droid based. Google search is quick.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pure-gas/id454559068 or https://www.amazon.com/AutoLean-Inc-.../dp/B00STPFZVW

A computer based (and on smart phones) version is pure-gas.org

https://www.pure-gas.org/extensions/...p?statecode=CA

[Lipdog]

For a slight diversion with this thread......

I found a smart phone App (Pure Gas) which I use. This app locates gas stations that sell non-ethanol where ever you are. Apple and Droid based. Google search is quick.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pure-gas/id454559068 or https://www.amazon.com/AutoLean-Inc-.../dp/B00STPFZVW

A computer based (and on smart phones) version is pure-gas.org

https://www.pure-gas.org/extensions/...p?statecode=CA

Yeah, this is cool, but there is no Ethanol-free gas within two hours of me (in NoCal). Only race gas, which doesn't do my flat-head any good.

[T. Cotten]

Thanks William,
and wow, it displays all around me in Illinois, Lipdog!

(Even though both states are so progressive. Hope I can say that...)

There is apparently even a pump just blocks up the highway from me.

Bet it ain't cheap.

....Cotten
PS: No "specified brand"?.. Never mattered much anyway.
PPS: Wish I had a link like that for kerosene; Even YELP displays no local vendors, although there is one just eleven minutes south.

[jamesgraulty]

On the subject of additives, when I bought a '69 iron head Sportster a number of years ago, the prior owner advised that he always used a lead additive to protect the valve seats. His formula was a "cap full" with each fill up. Sounded logical to me so 16 years later, I still follow his advice. Since then I've added a '72 CB350, a '67 Shovelhead, and a '70 Triumph Bonneville. I keep a five gallon gas can full of premium in the garage to fill up what ever bike I decide to take out that day. And I always add the lead substitute, which is Motor Medic from my local NAPA parts store. 0.6 oz. per gallon of gas. And since I never know how long a bike might sit, I also use Sta-Bil all the time, in the modern and old bikes. I've had bikes sit idle for as long as a whole winter, and never have had an issue with starting or carburetors on any of them. Would be interested in any feedback on the "Lead Substitute".

[bselph]

Or try this.
https://www.facebook.com/andrew.buma...3284346305944/