Fuel Grade for TBR7

Nospark · 03-09-2022, 02:35 PM

Interested if there is a consensus opinion regarding fuel grade for these bikes. I do have the option to run non-ethanol gas but, it's pretty inconvenient as I have to travel 1/2 hour each way to get to a station that sells it. It's also high priced as they only offer it Premium. If folks are running common pump gas, does anyone see a difference in low, mid or premium?
I am aware of all the issues with ethanol in gasoline. Let's not start a debate.
I'm looking at first start for my new bike this weekend so just thought I'd check if folks are having trouble with common grade gas before I put something in the tank and regret it.

**JerryHawk250** · 03-09-2022, 02:48 PM

Low octane are all that is needed for these engines. Ethanol free would be the best but I understand d the extra cost for something that is not needed. E10 will be fine but would change out the fuel lines as ethanol will eventually eat up the rubber. As long as the ethanol fuel doesn't sit in the tank for a long period you will be okay. Ethanol will absorb moisture so keeping the tank full will usually lessen the chance of moisture collecting in the tank.

At least it wasn't an oil thread.

Nospark · 03-09-2022, 03:05 PM

Much appreciated. I restore and run vintage 2 cycle outboard motors so am very experienced with ethanol fuel problems created when using it in fuel systems not designed for it.
Yes, use up E10 as quickly as possible, especially during humid months. drain carb and tank if not being used. I use Stabil and/or Seafoam but, honestly can't say I have seen difference when cleaning/rebuilding carbs. However, it doesn't hurt and it makes you feel like you're doing good even if your not. Kinda like giving change to the guy washing the windshield at the stop light.

**JerryHawk250** · 03-09-2022, 03:07 PM

I've also worked on many outboard engines as well. So you know what damage ethanol does to them. Make nice looking jello. lol

**JerryHawk250** · 03-09-2022, 03:15 PM

I live in south Louisiana where the humidity is always 80-100%. Ethanol fuel doesn't do well around here. With all the boats in the area, 100% gas in any grade is available for about 10-15 cents more a gallon pretty much everywhere.

Nospark · 03-09-2022, 03:30 PM

We can't get regular gas in Milwaukee county. At least it can be had in Wisconsin but, again, only in premium grade with additional price hike for non-ethanol. Usually offered around towns with race tracks. We make a point to exclusively run it for our summer boating season in our vintage outboards, May - Oct. We take turns making the run to buy it.

alex_in_az · 03-09-2022, 04:58 PM

I use premium, but I've got high compression and advanced timing

03-09-2022, 02:35 PM	#1
Nospark Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 167	Fuel Grade for TBR7 Interested if there is a consensus opinion regarding fuel grade for these bikes. I do have the option to run non-ethanol gas but, it's pretty inconvenient as I have to travel 1/2 hour each way to get to a station that sells it. It's also high priced as they only offer it Premium. If folks are running common pump gas, does anyone see a difference in low, mid or premium? I am aware of all the issues with ethanol in gasoline. Let's not start a debate. I'm looking at first start for my new bike this weekend so just thought I'd check if folks are having trouble with common grade gas before I put something in the tank and regret it.
	0

03-09-2022, 02:48 PM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,585	Low octane are all that is needed for these engines. Ethanol free would be the best but I understand d the extra cost for something that is not needed. E10 will be fine but would change out the fuel lines as ethanol will eventually eat up the rubber. As long as the ethanol fuel doesn't sit in the tank for a long period you will be okay. Ethanol will absorb moisture so keeping the tank full will usually lessen the chance of moisture collecting in the tank. At least it wasn't an oil thread. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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03-09-2022, 03:07 PM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,585	I've also worked on many outboard engines as well. So you know what damage ethanol does to them. Make nice looking jello. lol __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	0

03-09-2022, 03:15 PM	#5
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,585	I live in south Louisiana where the humidity is always 80-100%. Ethanol fuel doesn't do well around here. With all the boats in the area, 100% gas in any grade is available for about 10-15 cents more a gallon pretty much everywhere. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

03-09-2022, 04:58 PM	#7
alex_in_az Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Goodyear, Arizona Posts: 410	I use premium, but I've got high compression and advanced timing __________________ 2020 Tao TBR7 9.3:1 PnP head CRF230F exhaust 4 degree advance key 290 degree cam Nibbi PE30 and cone filter Front fork brace
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03-09-2022, 03:05 PM	#3
Nospark Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 167	Much appreciated. I restore and run vintage 2 cycle outboard motors so am very experienced with ethanol fuel problems created when using it in fuel systems not designed for it. Yes, use up E10 as quickly as possible, especially during humid months. drain carb and tank if not being used. I use Stabil and/or Seafoam but, honestly can't say I have seen difference when cleaning/rebuilding carbs. However, it doesn't hurt and it makes you feel like you're doing good even if your not. Kinda like giving change to the guy washing the windshield at the stop light.
	1

03-09-2022, 03:30 PM	#6
Nospark Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 167	We can't get regular gas in Milwaukee county. At least it can be had in Wisconsin but, again, only in premium grade with additional price hike for non-ethanol. Usually offered around towns with race tracks. We make a point to exclusively run it for our summer boating season in our vintage outboards, May - Oct. We take turns making the run to buy it.
	1