New one to the forum

[The old viking]

Good morning all,
New to the forum, and looking as if I will be picking up my 1988 NT400 on October 2nd.
Looking forward to it as it looks a smashing little bike.
The only thing I am unsure about is the fact that in the UK they are changing over to E10 fuel ( more of an ethanol content0 and was wondering if there is anything that needs updating etc. to accept this fuel or will it be OK ??

[ParcNHawk]

Welcome!

You can't really adjust ignition timing, so there's nothing to do there.

Chemically speaking; the ethanol won't damage the rubber seals -- so you're okay there.

The issue is with storage. E10 can absorb water which gums up the jets when the fuel gets old in storage.

The main problem is the way you pronounce ethanol

[ricksax]

Welcome aboard. In the US, we have been dealing with E10 for years. It will also speed gas tank rusting if left to sit because the water separates out. Some additives, such as Sea Foam or Stabil may help a bit. We also have rather expensive E0 (clear gas) available for boats and lawnmowers. During the winter, I try to keep only E0 in the tank. During bad weather, I still make a point of starting the bike once a week and warming to full operating temperature, about 15 minutes, or taking a frigid short ride if it is dry.

[6]

The main problem is the way you pronounce ethanol

Hahaha.


Welcome to the forum man. Congratulations on the new bike.

Post up some pics when you get it.

[69Falcon]

If you can get non-ethanol gas like we do here for boats, that is great, especially for storage.

[sfdownhill]

Welcome aboard old viking. Looking forward to photos after you pick up your new NT400. Sorry to hear you’re being forced down the ethanol cattle chute.

[The Cheese]

Welcome aboard.

[yorkshire]

Welcome aboard, I am in the UK, I used the 99 octane fuel which has only 5% ethanol, I cannot tell the difference but it must be better.

[DrPMC]

Welcome to the forum.

I’m in the UK too. I’ve only put the standard fuel in my bike but not noticed any problems. My bike’s engine isn’t standard being an Africa Twin XRV750 unit with higher compression pistons (etc) but presumably the mods would make it more likely to pink under acceleration. I recently checked the plug colour and condition and they looked close to perfect.

[6]

I have noticed no performance difference between running ethanol and non ethanol fuel on the bikes. The big difference I see is in how they store.

I can sit a bike a LOT longer with non ethanol fuel in it and have no carb issues than i can with it.

[bones]

Welcome to the forum.
With E10 fuel, depending on old the rubber fuel lines are, I would change out all rubber lines to make sure they are 100% E10 compatible so they won't get gummy and start to leak.

[69Falcon]

I have noticed no performance difference between running ethanol and non ethanol fuel on the bikes. The big difference I see is in how they store.

I can sit a bike a LOT longer with non ethanol fuel in it and have no carb issues than i can with it.

Where I notice a difference is in my Tacoma; my highway mileage can jump as much as 2mpg. Might not sound like much but 19 to 21mpg is sweet. Unfortunately it also costs more so any savings are negated.