Fuel Additive or Octane Level?

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:

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.

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

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.

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.