Crap fuel

**Black Knight** · 19th August 2016, 10:57

I like classic bikes,I own several of them all,ahem,carburated.WTF is going on with petrol these days?-If any of my bikes are left idle for a couple of weeks,the so called "volatiles" evaporate off and I'm left with a product that wouldn't burn in a forest fire.I am finding that if left idle for as little as 10 days, I have to drain the carbs and refill before any of them look like starting.Why are we paying top $ for crap,I have a mate in the USA running the same model bikes who has no problem with USA fuel.Should I be talking with the AA fuel liaison fella who could take it up with fuel companies?Anybody notice this?
I am led to believe that the light aircraft guys are having similar problems.

**Motu** · 19th August 2016, 17:39

It's been happening since the ''90's when we went to unleaded fuel. I always turn the taps off and let the bike run out of fuel....or drain before starting.

**mossy1200** · 19th August 2016, 21:08

My bandit has had its rego on hold and it runs like crap for a while if left 2 weeks. I ended up pulling carbs and cleaning blocked jets a while ago and its like they are blocked again. I was wondering if the fuel was causing it also.

**Kickaha** · 19th August 2016, 21:49

I'm finding if I leave my classic bike for several weeks it still starts 2-3 kicks and runs with no problems at all

**AllanB** · 19th August 2016, 22:02

2 weeks? Really? I had a problem when they first took lead out and a bike was sat for about 5 months. Wasted time trying to work out waht was wrong - change of fuel .....

4-6 months and I'd understand, but two weeks and I'd try refueling with a different supplier.

No issues with a few weeks on a injected ride and given the fuel needs the ability to go bang to work, if it is 'off' I don't see why carb vs injector would make a difference, if 'off' it won't go bang either way.

What brand? What octane?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 19th August 2016, 22:23

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I'm finding if I leave my classic bike for several weeks it still starts 2-3 kicks and runs with no problems at all

Kerosene lasts forever mate. Silly Old Cunt.

**Black Knight** · 20th August 2016, 09:29

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I'm finding if I leave my classic bike for several weeks it still starts 2-3 kicks and runs with no problems at all

Yeah Kick but its an A10,if I recall they would run on anything.

**Black Knight** · 20th August 2016, 09:37

Originally Posted by AllanB

2 weeks? Really? I had a problem when they first took lead out and a bike was sat for about 5 months. Wasted time trying to work out waht was wrong - change of fuel .....

4-6 months and I'd understand, but two weeks and I'd try refueling with a different supplier.

No issues with a few weeks on a injected ride and given the fuel needs the ability to go bang to work, if it is 'off' I don't see why carb vs injector would make a difference, if 'off' it won't go bang either way.

What brand? What octane?

I still think fuel has got really bad over the past 12 months-I have used several different suppliers and all the same-Older bikes have large air boxes which can result in faster evaporation,injected bikes are drawing straight from the fuel tank not the carb bowls.Brand,Ive tried the lot,octane-good ol 91,tried the other stuff and little difference,besides I ran 91 for yonks without problems.

**jafagsx250** · 20th August 2016, 11:11

If your bike wasn't so old then you could run Gull force ten which is ten percent ethanol. It helps clean the fuel system apparently. But it wouldn't be as good as a proper carburetor clean

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**Akzle** · 20th August 2016, 11:28

Originally Posted by jafagsx250

If your bike wasn't so old then you could run Gull force ten which is ten percent ethanol. It helps clean the fuel system apparently. But it wouldn't be as good as a proper carburetor clean

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except that ethanol is a) hygroscopic and b) evaporative, meaning you swap combustibles for water if left sitting.
as long as all the seals have been renewed with not-chickenshit rubber, ethanol can be run in any age bike.

**Intruder VS** · 20th August 2016, 11:51

I've read a few times on forums ethanol is really bad for 2 strokes and to stay away from it, can't remember why tho.

**jafagsx250** · 20th August 2016, 17:08

Originally Posted by Akzle

except that ethanol is a) hygroscopic and b) evaporative, meaning you swap combustibles for water if left sitting.
as long as all the seals have been renewed with not-chickenshit rubber, ethanol can be run in any age bike.

I was more thinking of using the e 10 after you've drained the bowls to clean it out.

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**AllanB** · 20th August 2016, 17:20

Possibly one of the easiest ways for you to check if it is indeed our questionable fuel (who hows what they mix up for NZ!) is to try a fuel stabilizer in the tank. I've seen them somewhere local - think it may have been at a hot rod specialist shop.

Hand on - Supercheap have it http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/Prod...r-350mL/395871

I just fired up my petrol edge trimmer and lawn mower this afternoon - neither have been used for about six weeks (maybe more) and the fuel in the can I topped up the mower with must be four months old. Both fired up fine.

Which make me wonder if it's a different issue with your classic. Throw in some fuel stabilizer and see if it improves.

**Voltaire** · 20th August 2016, 20:06

Took my 900SL for WOF after 7 months of not been used, running pretty rough, probably drain the tank and give it to someone with a lawnmower or BSA A10