Older bikes and E10 petrol

hairyslug

What are my options once they change the petrol over to e10. For ye on older bikes, what addictives can be used so that the petrol doesn’t rip my seals apart.

Itineoman

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a8a1e-what-is-e10/#where-can-i-check-my-vehicle

Doesn’t answer directly but might be of interest. I’ve a few oldies myself so I’d be curious as well. Recently did the carbs in one of them so maybe modern o-rings and rubber might be up to it.

Varik

While a lot of older bikes might be fine running on E10, letting a carbed bike site idle with E10 isn't great.

It separates and while a fuel injector won't have an issue with that a carb might if left to sit.

Cienciano

I have a carbed vfr. Manual says it's fine using fuel that's up to 10% ethanol

Itineoman

Mine are 1970s Hondas that don’t get used a lot apart from the 550f so I’d definitely need to be doing something about it.

goblin59

On the R100 i changed the fuel lines and floatbowl gasket to Vitron or Nitron, all the Orings are the same. Same on the fuel taps

I've new hardend valves and modern valve guides in the bike as well to deal with no lead in the fuel to act as a lubricant.

I've this fuel line on the bike which has been holding up really well

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140693835989?var=440044001334

if the bike is sitting up for any legnth of time put a stabiliser into the tank and empty the float bowl.

New fuel is also hygroscopic so if you have a steel tank make sure its lined as well to protect it from corrosion.

Something that is more specific to the airhead as well is Im going to start using historic oil with zinc in it due to the tappets.

Motoworks sell this stuff too, its grand for an airhead as i've a seperate gearbox, but on a regular bike, you'd need an oil with the friction modifiers

https://www.halfords.ie/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/classic-car-oil/millers-oils-classic-pistoneeze-20w50-engine-oil---5l-418086.html

Hotblack Desiato

WITHOUT friction modifiers. They make the clutch slip.

goblin59

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120286822#Comment_120286822

sorry was meant to say that xD but i've a dry clutch on the R100.

flatty

I won’t put e10 in anything. If I can’t get super, I use an additive.