HR5180 Federal bill to cap % of ethanol blend gains momentum

[Pat Conlon]

Some folks here in Kalifornia have been concerned about the proposed increase of ethanol blended into our fuel from the current 10%(E10) to 15%.(E15)

The problem here in our state, is that there is no alternate for the consumer for choice. IOW there are no "pure gas" options. Other states do have this "pure gas" option, but not Kali (at least not in my area) http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=CA

This, as we know, is a problem for folks who have older (carbureted) cars and motorcycles. The problems we have now with E10 would be worse with E15, again, with no consumer options.

Well, good news, it looks like the Fed's will step in with a law limiting ethanol blending to less than 10%

http://www.bna.com/biofuel-mandate-opponents-n57982082935/
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1107433_bill-to-cap-ethanol-in-u-s-fuel-supply-gains-momentum

As a side note: I've given up on fuel additives (StarTron, Stabil, etc) to counteract the effects of corn alcohol in my carbs while storing her for the summer.
http://www.samscycle.net/Storage-warning-local-gas.html
2 gallons of VP Race fuel ($12 per gallon) seems to work just fine. I drain out the E10 add the VP fuel, run the bike around the block, then store it. I drain out and save the VP fuel when the bike is placed back in service. I am told that the VP fuel has a 5 year shelf life.

I do wish I had local access to "pure gas"....oh well... Hopefully the HR5180 will pass to keep the ethanol problem from getting worse.  

[aviationfred]

 That is awesome news. An E15 mandate would just suck.

The availability of "pure gas" is not always an instant benefit. Here in the heartland, my area started offering Zero Ethanol fuel a couple of years ago. I do not use it. The problem is the octane rating is 86.  

We all know that the stock engine has a factory recommendation of 91 octane and those of us with higher compression engine should search for 93, 95 or 98. A hot start on a 100 degree day might be a bit hard for the starter to overcome with a 10.5-1 or higher compression, and 86 octane rated fuel.


Fred

[FeralRdr]

....

We all know that the stock engine has a factory recommendation of 91 octane and those of us with higher compression engine should search for 93, 95 or 98. A hot start on a 100 degree day might be a bit hard for the starter to overcome with a 10.5-1 or higher compression, and 86 octane rated fuel.


Fred

Actually the only factory recommendation I ever saw was just Regular.  I've never actually seen an actual octane recommendation in any of the Owner's Manuals.

[aviationfred]

There are stickers under the seat, stuck to the inner fender that list oil viscosity, spark plug type and gap, valve clearances and fuel rating. The photo is from my 1989 US spec owners manual.

Fred

[Pat Conlon]

Be careful about octane #'s
The fuel octane we get here in the USA is calculated (RON+MON)/2 which is a lower # than straight RON.
Using Fred's example, Yamaha specifies a minimum 91 RON octane fuel which is approximately equivalent to 87 (RON+MON)/2 fuel here in the states.

The point is moot in Fred's and my engines (and Ed's and Frank's and Dan's). We need all the octane we can get.

It's that corn alcohol that's the cause of grief.

[FeralRdr]

Nice to see that they did start providing more specific information in later years.  The above photo I posted came from the 89 manual off of the Australian Yamaha site.  My '87 US manual just said "Regular", and I didn't recall seeing any stickers under the seat.

My main reason for bringing this up, is that for many years, I was under the impression, that I had to run my "Stock" '87 on Premium fuel.   It was only after a friend (professional motorcycle mechanic) suggested that I might not need to, and recommended checking my manual.  I still ran Premium quite often, but only when it was Ethanol Free (F@#K the Corn Pimps).  To be honest, I'm still upset about all the times I sweated "having to find Premium" when I didn't have to as "Regular was available.  Of course, as Pat said, those with "More Interesting Motors" may have to now use Premium, but those who are stock shouldn't.

[fj1289]

Be careful about octane #'s
The fuel octane we get here in the USA is calculated (RON+MON)/2 which is a lower # than straight RON.
Using Fred's example, Yamaha specifies a minimum 91 RON octane fuel which is approximately equivalent to 87 (RON+MON)/2 fuel here in the states.

The point is moot in Fred's and my engines (and Ed's and Frank's and Dan's). We need all the octane we can get.

It's that corn alcohol that's the cause of grief.

The sad part is you'd have all the octane you could use and better engine cooking if you reversed the percentages - E85.   I don't know if the stock carbs can flow enough fuel to run it, and availability can be limiting...