Running 1200 on E85, how hard would it be?

[Guest]

How hard would it be to run my '84 aspy on E85 :?: I'm no mechanic so please help a guy out and explain this to me. :oops:

[vleighty]

Nearly impossible. And undesirable.

[edbikerii]

I'd agree that ethanol is mostly undersirable.

You must use much more ethanol than gasoline to go the same mileage. You'd have to fill up nearly twice as often, and your mileage would be cut nearly in half.

Jet sizes would have to be increased across the board, and my understanding is that one of the three jets in our carbs are not removeable.

Also, many of the rubber bits may not be compatible with alcohol, and may dissolve or dry out and harden, causing failure.

I think it may be wise to contemplate conversion plans soon, however, as E85 seems to be on the US government's energy policy agenda. George W. Bush passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which mandates greatly expanded use of ethanol in the near future, in order to reduce our dependence upon petroleum fuels. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.epa.gov/oust/fedlaws/publ_109-058.pdf">http://www.epa.gov/oust/fedlaws/publ_109-058.pdf</a><!-- m -->

[Keener]

When we were last in Washington, we got a tank of E85 and our '84 ran terribly until we got another tank of the real stuff.

[roscoepc]

Here is a good article from Randakk about ethanol: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.randakks.com/TechTip56.htm">http://www.randakks.com/TechTip56.htm</a><!-- m -->

[Guest]

Ok, so E85 is a bad idea, I understand why now.
But what about running them on alcohol? You can make alcohol at home pretty cheap.

[roscoepc]

Methanol and alcohol are pretty much the same thing I think. I don't believe your bike would like either.

[detdrbuzzard]

any alcohol in larrge quantitys like e85 is going to eat anything rubber in the fuel system

[wingandaprayer]

Here is a good article from Randakk about ethanol: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.randakks.com/TechTip56.htm">http://www.randakks.com/TechTip56.htm</a><!-- m -->

Davek80501 - it looks like you tow a trailer and maybe do so in Colorado at high altitude? Personally I would use nothing but fresh high quality premium pure gasoline in my faithful steed under those conditions.

[Guest]

Here is a good article from Randakk about ethanol: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.randakks.com/TechTip56.htm">http://www.randakks.com/TechTip56.htm</a><!-- m -->

Davek80501 - it looks like you tow a trailer and maybe do so in Colorado at high altitude? Personally I would use nothing but fresh high quality premium pure gasoline in my faithful steed under those conditions.

Yes I do pull a trailer, and I was just putting out a couple of questions that I have been wondering about. I only use good gas in my bike. And I would like to thank everyone for the answers and information to my questions.

[wingandaprayer]

No worries - we almost got a "motor oil" type debate going there - Our Wings come from The Time Before Politicalfuel -

[admin]

Here is a good article from Randakk about ethanol: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.randakks.com/TechTip56.htm">http://www.randakks.com/TechTip56.htm</a><!-- m -->

Davek80501 - it looks like you tow a trailer and maybe do so in Colorado at high altitude? Personally I would use nothing but fresh high quality premium pure gasoline in my faithful steed under those conditions.

I suggest that you do not use premium gasoline in a GL1200 unless you have some mechanical problem that necessitates the use of premium gas. Regular gas is called for by Honda in a GL1200 and typically you will get better fuel economy from regular than you will from premium gas.