Im confused about Octaine

[Lucky_Lou]

All the various discussions we've had about diaphragms ,additives etc have left me confused.I discussed the problems Ive had with a pal who runs vintage bikes (Enfields Condors and Vincents) he says he runs them on super unleaded *100 octane with no additive i was using additive with standard unleaded *95 octaine surely hes risking it with the 100 as it burns hotter than 95 ,should i have been using 100 with the additive ? is this why i was blowing the diaphragms?any one got a clue.
Ta Lou

[Bob_Roller]

Octane rating is the resistance of a fuel to detonate, knock, pinging, or as it's known in the UK and OZ, pinking .

The higher the octane rating, the more the fuel will operate under higher temperatures and combustion pressures, before detonation starts .

To further muddy up the explanation, there are two methods to determine octane rating, one is the RON method, and the other is the MON method .

Here in the US, regular unleaded is 87 octane, mid grade is 89, and premium is 91 .

Octane rating has nothing to do with the fuel burning hotter .

Here in Phoenix, I have to go to 91 octane to prevent detonation due to the high air temperatures here during May-October .

I don't have the link handy, but go to Wikipedia, and put octane rating in the search box, and you will get more info than you know what to do with .

[weasel01]

Lucky lou, why do you feel the need to add something to your fuel?
Just curious?

[Justin B.]

Lou, I think I remember some discussions that in Europe gasoline is rated in RON numbers.  In the US we use (RON+MON)/2 just to make things interesting.  RON is Research Octane Number and MON is Motor Octane Number and is derived through actual testing.  I looked all of this crap up, once, a long time ago and hopefully I've remembered it correctly!  

[beemer]

Lucky lou, why do you feel the need to add something to your fuel?
Just curious?

You could have the valves burn out,these bikes were made to run on leaded fuel,hence the leaded addative,i use a fuel cat,which is not a additive but a fuel catalyst.

[Lucky_Lou]

There have been sceptical reports on the forum about fuel cat ect but i suppose its better than nothing!!
Lou

[beemer]

There have been sceptical reports on the forum about fuel cat ect but i suppose its better than nothing!!
Lou

I think unless you try it you won't know if it's good for you or not,it's not a additive as such it's a catalyst,best make your own mind up on this,it's something different then most people seem to use,ie: a additive,your choice Lou,good luck whatever you decide,Julian.This is a email i had from him,
Philip Brodie wrote:
> Dear Julian,
> It is not an additive, but a catalyst, which changes the fuel. Nothing is
> actually put in the fuel. Have been converting bikes and cars since 1988.
>
> Regards Philip
>
> Tel. 0208 8969172
> Mob. 07969506626
> Web. www.fuelcat.co.uk

[weasel01]

My original owners manual states "leaded or unleaded"? is this wrong?

[beemer]

My original owners manual states "leaded or unleaded"? is this wrong?

Leaded!

[Lucky_Lou]

My original owners manual states "leaded or unleaded"? is this wrong?

My understanding is that BMW upgraged the valves from 7mm stems to 8mm when they converted to "unleaded" i could be wrong but im working in Huddersfield tomorrow so i will call in at Motorworks to chew the fat about this and pick up a couple of vacuum take off screws to modify for my manometer project.Ill let you know what there engineers are thinking on this one.
Lou

[Lucky_Lou]

Called at motorworks today they reconned theres no need to use addatives on low mileage just standard unleaded, picked up the vaccuum screws to save on postage (Monte,s idea)
also spoke to Andrew at Mollsprings
http://mollsprings.co.uk/
 who,s opinion i hold in high regard ....he said exactly the same!! called in at a big motor factors today aswell checked out the addatives Castol ect all contained Napthaline will check this out too
Lou