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Fuel Additive or Octane Level?
- mzandmz
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12 Aug 2009 10:45 #313384
by mzandmz
New to Family, 1979 KZ440 LTD
Fuel Additive or Octane Level? was created by mzandmz
Question on does it help to ad an additive like STP fuel treatment/carb cleaner? Also Is it good to use a higher Octane Level at all or every once in a while? One more, People are saying that the Corn fuel is affecting their cars, Whats it doing to OUR BIKES??:huh:
New to Family, 1979 KZ440 LTD
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- 550A2
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- keep the shiny side up
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12 Aug 2009 11:21 #313387
by 550A2
82 Honda ATC 200-sold
82 Yamaha Virago 920-sold
82 Yamaha YZ250j-kept
80 Suzuki GS 550-sold
82 Kawasaki KZ550 A2-ride all the time
79 Kawasaki KZ650 C-sold
73 Kawasaki Z1 900E-paid $200, sold $6000
86 Yamaha Radian YX600-new project
Replied by 550A2 on topic Fuel Additive or Octane Level?
I got at 82 550 and i dont know if it would be similar, but under the seat it implies to use a minimum of 92 octane fuel, the high grade stuff.
If i dont it runs like shit.
If i dont it runs like shit.
82 Honda ATC 200-sold
82 Yamaha Virago 920-sold
82 Yamaha YZ250j-kept
80 Suzuki GS 550-sold
82 Kawasaki KZ550 A2-ride all the time
79 Kawasaki KZ650 C-sold
73 Kawasaki Z1 900E-paid $200, sold $6000
86 Yamaha Radian YX600-new project
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- bill_wilcox100
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12 Aug 2009 12:19 - 12 Aug 2009 12:25 #313401
by bill_wilcox100
1977 KZ650-B1 (Stock)
Upgrades:
- Dyna S Electronic Ignition (DS2-2)
- Dyna 3 Ohm Coils (DC1-1)
- Coil Repowering Mod
- Progressive Springs Front & Rear
- Saddlemen Seat Cover
- New Metallic Red Re-Paint & Repro Badges.
Montreal, Canada
Replied by bill_wilcox100 on topic Fuel Additive or Octane Level?
Hi mzandmz,
IMHO, for a stockish '77 B1 like mine and, as I read it, like yours:
-1) Never used STP. Would think that for the price, would get better return by buying a good quality inline fuel filter to keep stuff out of the carb in the first place. Read waste of money.
-2) High octane only required to eliminate engine ping/re-ignition symptom and not for tune-up. If you don't have the problem you don't need the expense of the solution... can lead to over rich condition, retarded timing and or reduced output hp. Read, waste of money.
-3) Yes, I have read that the alcohol in E-fuels is not compatible with the rubber in the fuel lines and O-rings. They are reported to cause hardening and lead to leaking and carb flooding. Read, sounds like a no-no.
As to KZ550... I never had one so no opinion here really.
Hope this helps. Best of success.
Bill
IMHO, for a stockish '77 B1 like mine and, as I read it, like yours:
-1) Never used STP. Would think that for the price, would get better return by buying a good quality inline fuel filter to keep stuff out of the carb in the first place. Read waste of money.
-2) High octane only required to eliminate engine ping/re-ignition symptom and not for tune-up. If you don't have the problem you don't need the expense of the solution... can lead to over rich condition, retarded timing and or reduced output hp. Read, waste of money.
-3) Yes, I have read that the alcohol in E-fuels is not compatible with the rubber in the fuel lines and O-rings. They are reported to cause hardening and lead to leaking and carb flooding. Read, sounds like a no-no.
As to KZ550... I never had one so no opinion here really.
Hope this helps. Best of success.
Bill
1977 KZ650-B1 (Stock)
Upgrades:
- Dyna S Electronic Ignition (DS2-2)
- Dyna 3 Ohm Coils (DC1-1)
- Coil Repowering Mod
- Progressive Springs Front & Rear
- Saddlemen Seat Cover
- New Metallic Red Re-Paint & Repro Badges.
Montreal, Canada
Last edit: 12 Aug 2009 12:25 by bill_wilcox100.
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- hugo
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12 Aug 2009 13:23 - 12 Aug 2009 13:30 #313411
by hugo
Replied by hugo on topic Fuel Additive or Octane Level?
Higher octane is not better quality fuel. Only means that is has addititives to raise the temperature at which the fuel ignite. This is done to prevent the mix from igniting by compression alone in high compression engines, about 11.0 to 1 or higher. Of course, some lower comp. engines get carbon build up and that may raise compression and start pinging, then higher octane would alleviate the condition, not fix it.
Last edit: 12 Aug 2009 13:30 by hugo.
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- 1973Z
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12 Aug 2009 13:57 #313414
by 1973Z
Replied by 1973Z on topic Fuel Additive or Octane Level?
The ethyl alcohol in the gas certainly will make those neoprwene clear fuel hoses hard and brittle. The state government here in Missouri has made enthanol mandatory since January and there's nothing to be done about it. As far as octane level, the lowest your bike will run at is OK. The lowest available here is 87 and it runs fine.
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