Forum

[Jim]

Well, filled up with rocket fuel for a change and the engine sounds a lot happier than it did. I don't know if MPH will improve because I ceased to be a speed demon when I became aware of my mortality.
Maybe it will improve MPG although I can't fault that. It got to a point where I was checking the level in the tank because I was sure that somebody was sneaking in and refilling it when I wasn't looking.

[Gwilly]

Jim sorry for the hijack but some threads seem to develop like runners from a strawberry plant..

MickB, it has to be worth a try. i.e. An Iridium plug. I fitted one on my 500 ES (points) to improve starting and tickover..

That was three years ago, still same plug working faultlessly... It sounds like yours is running a little weak on closed throttle. (overrun) which may be a feature of the electronics doing its job but being slightly off balanced by the more open exhaust. down stream of the lambda sensor... I am no expert on electronics but i think the lambda setup is so called "closed loop" at small throttle openings meaning basically it is controlling the fuel mixture based on the readings it obtains from the exhaust gas flowing past. (oxygen content etc).

At WOT (wide open throttle) the lambda sensor becomes (open circuit) and the mixture becomes controlled by the mapping of the ECU.. Hense making alterations to exhaust can have adverse effects elsewhere if not compensated for (tuned) via the electronics... Perhaps beyond the scope of the amateur shedologist..

Regards the octane rating, the higher the RON the slower the burn which is perfect for the primitive mechanical timing advance/retard on the iron barrel classics..

I found the low 95 RON faster bang and the full advance at low rev was creating a almighty knock (ping or pink) unless throttled back until quiet.. Thus slow acceleration, Ignore this noise at your peril, will lead to piston damage and probably knock the hell out of the big end and mains.. So Higher octane is, I'm convinced, worth the extra expense, offset by the smooth easy running and reduced heat in the motor..

Seems like my "witter" switch has been activated by the strong morning coffee... I Move. cheers gwilly

[MickB]

Thanks Gwilly, some really useful information. The bikes due in for it's 3000km service so I will have a chat with the tech guys and see if the electronics can be tuned to compensate for the more open exhaust. The 91080 silencer is supposed to be designed specifically for the EFI as a direct replacement with no need to make adjustments to the engine control unit. That doesn't seem to be the case as a lot of people seem to have problems with backfiring with this particular silencer. I will definitely try the Iridium plug and see if that makes any difference.

[MickB]

Finally replaced the Indian Bosch WR7DDC4 with an NGK BPR6ES. What a difference! No backfiring or popping, no more holding back when opening the throttle, better tickover, smoother, quieter, more responsive - and all this from a little spark plug! The old Indian plug had a lot of carbon fouling and looks as if it was firing intermitently on one side. I'll run the NGK for a while to get a good reading from the plug and then have a go with the Iridium version.

[Scalyback]

I am correct in thinking that if I take petrol with ethanol, add a little water, and wait for it to separate, then I end up with neat petrol on top?



So would it be practical to recover the layer of ethanol free neat petrol for use in my bikes? I don't mind wasting a little fuel in the recovery process, as long as my bikes get what they want!



Only... if all high octane changes to E5 or E10, then Tornado is going to be a bit F***ed!



Simon

[ed.lazda]

You could also end up with a strong alcohol-water mix at the bottom. Although what use you could find for such a mix, I can't imagine ...

[Frank]

As far as I understand, and I may be wrong, adding ethanol to petrol also has the effect of increasing it's octane rating and therefore something else is either added or omitted so that the overall octane rating is lowered to the level it's being sold at i.e 95 or 98. Separating the ethanol from the fuel may therefore leave neat petrol, but of lower quality and power.