Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 4 Dec 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney NSW Australia
Posts: 2
crude leaded fuel in unleaded bikes ???

Can anyone please tell me weather or not using crude leaded petrol like in India , Iran etc. etc. does any damage to an unleaded bike ?? if so are there carbie or piston mods that can be done ???
thanx heaps
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Dec 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 635
lead was added to fuel to prevent pinking and valve seat wear. now that valves and their seats are harder wearing, lead is no longer needed. as far as I understand it, using lead will not do harm to an engine, but would completely shag a catalyst. if you check the spark plug, you'll find it is grey-green for leaded rather than greyish for unleaded.
more important than lead/no lead, you need to consider pre-ignition and whether to retard your ignition or to reduce the compression to compensate for low octane. what bike are you riding and what load will you be carrying? not all bikes need any mods - my XR400 handled Algerian 80-odd leaded fuel just fine last year - but you can get retarded ignitors/CDIs for high compression KTMs and BMWs
Rich
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Dec 2002
Billy Bunter's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London, England
Posts: 183
For what its worth, i have been putting Iranian/Pakistani leaded fuel in my KTM Adventure for the last 6 weeks and about 3.5 thousand miles, the bike is completely standard. The plug looks the normal light brown and it runs fine.
__________________
Will

Some day so soon....
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Feb 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 60
You can get retarder ignitors for KTM and BMW... Some of the models, like new LC8 or GS1150Adventure have the "switch" already as standard equipment
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Feb 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 60
You can get retarder ignitors for KTM and BMW... Some of the models, like new LC8 or the 2003 LC4 Adventure have the "switch" already as standard equipment
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Mar 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Spain
Posts: 97
Hi!!!
AFAIK , if a bike has not CAT (easy to see if it has a Lambda probe or not @ the exhaust) ... then it will run BETTER , for longer , with less valve wear , and less detonation on PREMIUM LEADED , especially in those hi-temperature environments.
UNLEADED's only reason to exist is to protect petrol-injected cars' cathalysts , whoose expensive platinum alloy would be "poisoned" - rendering useless- with any lead .
Having said that , and for a "uncatalyzed" engine such as most overlanding motorbikes have ... the safest , cheapest ,etc.. fuel is LEADED !.
-pls note that small airplanes (Cesnass , etc) are essencially same design /techhnology/construction that air-cooled motorbike engines ... and run quite happily with super-leaded petrol

Leaded fuel has another's advantages , such as "self sealing" action in fuel screw fittings (producint that "locking" effect in fuel system related nuts), electric fuel pumps bearing lubrication ,
-let alone the valve seat problem -.

On top of that , -apparently - leaded's exhaust smoke is surprisingly "safer" to breathe that the new "unleaded" octane boster , if it werent for the catalyzer.


Cheeeers.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:14.