Why can I not use e85 fuel in my older motorcycle? I am suppose to use a high octane fuel and e85 is 104 octan

Question

Since my older motorcycle should burn high octane fuel and E85 is listed as having an octane rating as 104, why not use E85? Does it burn too hot or is it not compatible with older gaskets? Could I upgrade my bike and car to use E85?

Answer 1

If you maintain this bike yourself, then try it, and see what happens.  Worst case you'll be making some repairs.

E85 has less energy volume than gasoline, so your system will run "lean" unless you do something to compensate.  Re-jet, etc.   "Lean" is bad, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that.

The other thing you'll likely have to deal with is the tendency of ethanol to corrode obsolete parts, like natural rubber fuel line.  Might find some carb internals eaten away.  Do preventative where you can , and be prepared for some fixes along the way.

Answer 2

Jet size is an issue as are various components but the biggy is the legality. Most older unleaded vehicles actually don't pass emissions tests on e85. I would think that means that it runs too cool. At present there are no upgrades available legally. Check this out:http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/faqs/conve...

I hope that it helps.

It must be easier to convert an injected car running on exhaust sniffers. To change my old jag to such a system would cost me about $1800 aus. probably 1500 or less in the US. The injector size would need to be in a suitable range.

Answer 3

Ethanol can deteriorate certain gaskets and seals if the vehicle was not designed to run on E85.

Can you upgrade? Certainly, all things are possible if you spend enough bucks.

Answer 4

e-85 needs different carb jets and different gaskets in the carb.

Essentially the E-85 would make the motorcycle run... poorly... for a while... then you'd need a new carb.

Answer 5

The mixture will be way too lean (new jets alone won't fix that) and the gaskets will be damaged.

There are pros who convert vehicles, it's not a job for an amateur.   Emissions laws will also prohibit this in most locations.

The link above is a good one, here fixed by removing the period:

http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/faqs/conve...

Answer 6

Electronic fuel injection can automatically adjust the fuel air ratio but a carb cannot.

If you could convert to a FI system then you can run alky.

Search the internet for companies that make kits. As pointed out above, it will not be cheap and is best done by experienced mechanic.