Hey, all, Brand New to forum . Just got '87 Hurricane last week. Know nothing about these bikes. ( Except that riding it home on hiway almost gave my 60 yr. old *** a coronary when I looked down and saw 90+ on speedo ! ) Anyway, previous owner said he only runs 108 octane race. Know he said carbs got messed-up and cost him $900 to clean and re jet. Only reason I got. Bike has jet kit, Vance and Hines header, ignition advance. No other mods mentioned. Any response appreciated . Really enjoy bike so far, comparing it to my '83 Honda CB1000c air-cooled is like fish sticks to lobster !!!!

 

Unless he has done extensive engine work to raise the compression, buying 108 octane fuel is a ridiculous waste of money. I buy 91 or 93 octane on my '91, but only because I don't want ethanol. In stock form, i believe these bikes are perfectly happy with 87 gas (but if you use ethanol fuel, do NOT let the bike sit for weeks at a time...ride the thing or buy premium non-ethanol fuel).

(BTW, these octane figures I quote are for the US)

 

I'd also endeavour to learn what the ignition timing was advanced to...as a whole bunch of ignition advance accomplishes very little besides making the bike really damn picky about octane.

 

Thanks for the input. That may be the reason he used 108 fuel, as it has no ethanol. Here on the East coast, even the premium 90+ octane has it. I use ethanol stabilizer in my air cooled bikes for that reason. After paying big money to clean carbs, he must have used it as an insurance policy, as he had other bikes, and this one was more of a show bike that was seldom ridden. Thanks again...

 

Ethanol is fine (other than a slight decrease in power output and mileage) if it is not allowed to just sit there in the tank for more than a few weeks.

Check this out: https://www.pure-gas.org/ and Ethanol Free Gas Stations

AFAIK, Delaware is the only state on the east coast where ALL passenger car fuels have ethanol. Might be wrong about that.

 

Wow, Echo, you're quick, I feel like a slacker for taking so long to get back to you initially . Great info sites, thanks. My understanding that all fuels have ethanol is due to a sticker on the glass face of pumps here in R.I., stating " ethanol 10 percent " , but I'm sure going to double check that. Thanks...

 

I was wrong about that.

Looks like the only ethanol free gas in RI is racing fuel (same for CT and MA). If that were my situation, I'd make sure that nothing stayed in the tank any longer than necessary, and if the bike must sit for a while, I'd drain the tank and run the carbs dry (a pain in the *** if you have a vacuum petcock, but I don't think the '87's had them).

I've also heard very good things about PRI-G from boat owners and guys who maintain gasoline & diesel backup generators. Still, ethanol will always be hygroscopic and I think for any longer than a couple of months just getting it out of the system is best. Read a bit at the PRI website and decide for yourself.

 

Thanks, went to PRI-G site , was impressed. Will try it. Have 3 bikes, and with lots of work hours, little time to ride. What is your opinion on cleaner additives such as Seafoam ? Looked on line and can mix-up quantity cheaply. Says 25 percent Naptha, 60 percent kerosene, 15 percent isopropal alcohol. Over kill if useing the PRI ?

 

I'd use the PRI, and if you find a time where you plan on using a tank full of gas in a short period, you can toss in a 1/2 can of Seafoam. As far as mixing, just buy the Seafoam...easier and it's on sale often around here. Too much speculation online as to what's in Seafoam and I'd sleep better using the real thing.