Author Topic: Ethanol?  (Read 1355 times)

Offline florence

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1120
    • View Profile
Ethanol?
« on: September 02, 2021, 10:13:47 AM »
500/4.

Upon turning on the fuel tap yesterday, I found fuel leaking from one of the pipes from the fuel tap.

Looking at the pipe it seems to be very perished which I was not expecting as I had replaced with new ones only last year.

I suspect ethanol might be the problem and wondered if anyone here knows what type of pipe one should use nowadays with the new fuel and if anyone has a recommended supplier of such.

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 6121
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2021, 11:13:54 AM »
Just use super unleaded - preferably not supermarket BP or Shell.
Others will recommend the right type of pipe.
« Last Edit: September 02, 2021, 11:15:47 AM by Macabethiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline florence

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1120
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2021, 12:31:21 PM »
I'll try to look out for it although I have to go a long way to get to a station so usually have to get whatever they have.

Offline Laverda Dave

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 2531
  • Health is wealth
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2021, 01:39:56 PM »
Like Ted I just use super unleaded, Shell V-Max if I can. Normal unleaded isn't worth the hassle any more and especially considering petrol went E10 as from yesterday meaning even more of the nasty ethanol has now been added to rot our fuel pipes, tanks and o-rings!
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

Offline florence

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1120
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2021, 02:43:49 PM »
I lost the petrol tank to ethanol, developed a hole near the badge

Offline SteveW

  • SOHC Pro
  • Posts: 583
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2021, 03:35:22 PM »
So if they’ve thinned petrol down by another 5% does that mean the price is coming down as well?
1974 CB550 K0
1980 CB650
2000 CBR929RR Fireblade
1966 Lambretta LI150 Series 3
1981 RD350LC
1972 Raleigh Chopper
1974 Raleigh Tomahawk
2011 Henry Hoover

Offline sprinta

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 283
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2021, 04:24:20 PM »
So if they’ve thinned petrol down by another 5% does that mean the price is coming down as well?

Unfortunately what it does now mean is that there will soon no longer be any E5 available as it will be a combined E5/Super Unleaded. So if you were happy, as I have been, using E5 you will now have to pay and extra 8p to 15p/lt to continue to do so or take a risk with the new E10?

Offline gtmdriver

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 266
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2021, 07:54:07 AM »
It's reasonable to advise people to just use a specific brand or grade of fuel but, if you use your bike to travel any meaningful distances, there will be occasions when you have no choice but to fill up with whatever is available.
On our UK tour this year we twice had to use E10 as that was all they had. Fortunately I've been carrying and using a tried and independently tested (by the FHVBC) fuel additive since they introduced E5 so I just add that and fill up regardless.

Additives just protect metallic components though. Rubber hoses need to be made from Bio-fuel compatible materials.

I've used these for a while and they seem to be OK so far with E5.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251182149018?hash=item3a7b9f6d9a:g:PNkAAMXQn11RffRU


Offline florence

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1120
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2021, 11:02:32 AM »
seems to be 6mm internal diameter, does that sound right?

Offline Bryanj

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 10692
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2021, 11:55:25 AM »
5.5 is original id

Offline florence

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1120
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2021, 12:31:20 PM »
Excellent as ever Bryan, thanks very much.

Just ordered some 5.5mm ID claims to be E10 safe so fingers crossed.

« Last Edit: September 03, 2021, 12:43:19 PM by florence »

Offline Skoti

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 319
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2021, 02:15:19 PM »
Buy genuine Honda 5.5mm fuel hose in metre lengths from D.Silvers or your local Honda Power Equipment dealer.

Nowt else seems to be ethanol proof for me.
Motorcycling is Life, anything B4 or after is just waiting...


1976 Honda CB750F1

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 6121
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2021, 05:48:19 PM »
Interestingly Esso & Shell SUL is free from any Ethanol unless you live in the South  West where they have up to 5% Ethanol in the SUL Mix.

I guess the reason must be linked to the supplying refinery.
« Last Edit: September 03, 2021, 06:41:52 PM by Macabethiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline royhall

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 3380
  • Keep biking I'm not quite bankrupt yet
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #13 on: September 05, 2021, 10:16:10 AM »
Move to the Isle of Man as they still have no plans to introduce any kind of Ethanol onto the island. Bit of an extreme solution though.
Current bikes:
TriBsa CCM 350 Twin
Honda CB350F in Candy Bacchus Olive
Honda CB750F2 in Candy Apple Red
Triumph Trident 660 in Black/White
Triumph T100C
Suzuki GS1000HC
Honda CB450K0 Black Bomber
Honda CB750K5 in Planet Blue Metallic (Current Project)

Offline philward

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 2795
    • View Profile
Re: Ethanol?
« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2021, 09:16:16 PM »
It's reasonable to advise people to just use a specific brand or grade of fuel but, if you use your bike to travel any meaningful distances, there will be occasions when you have no choice but to fill up with whatever is available.
On our UK tour this year we twice had to use E10 as that was all they had. Fortunately I've been carrying and using a tried and independently tested (by the FHVBC) fuel additive since they introduced E5 so I just add that and fill up regardless.

Additives just protect metallic components though. Rubber hoses need to be made from Bio-fuel compatible materials.

I've used these for a while and they seem to be OK so far with E5.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251182149018?hash=item3a7b9f6d9a:g:PNkAAMXQn11RffRU
What is the fuel additive that you use and we're do you get it from?

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal