Proper fuel - Ducati.ms

captpaul · Apr 30th, 2011, 10:43 pm

I need your advise. I built a ss clone from a 1978 GTS.My problem is when I finished the bike, it know has forged 10 1/2 compression, bored to 884cc.
At the time of completion good fuel was plentiful. but when the gas companies started to use ethanol blend, and I wouldn't use it in the new fiberglass tank.The bike has set for 11 years, Today I found a web site that lists all the places that will sell 93 octane alcohol free gas. will this work fine or will I have to add a little octane booster? Any thoughts will be helpful.
Capt Paul

Duccout · May 1st, 2011, 1:36 am

I think that you may need octane booster to be on the safe side, or just ride it and see if it pinks.

MitchB · May 3rd, 2011, 1:36 pm

Capt -

There's probably two issues you should be looking at:

One is the Octane, and Ethanol content.
I would think the Alcohol free 93 gas would do the trick here. Also, try a smaller airport and see if AV GAS might be avail (old racer trick).

The other issue is Lead Content.
I don't know (but others here will) when Ducati went to more modern valve seats, but the older bikes needed some lead in the fuel to protect the seat from being beat to death by the valves.
Not sure if your 93 Octane will have the needed lead content - and I'd research and find out before too many miles on the bike.

I'm kinda in the same boat as I'm nearing completion of my '81 Darmah resto-mod, so I'll be watching this thread / posting as I learn...

wdietz186 · May 3rd, 2011, 9:04 pm

If you are only going to use it locally why don't you just buy a drum of race fuel? Even if you have to top off at a station the dilution would probably lower the ethanol content to be of no effect. VP,Klotz,Sunoco,etc. will be happy to sell you a drum of whatever octane you want or you could try a local airport,I'd be willing to bet the 100LL they have is ethanol free.

captpaul · May 3rd, 2011, 11:13 pm

I've, been told that alcohol blended fuel is ok in a steel tank, but I've heard of many a good fibre glass vintage tank that turned into jello fast. my son had a Kawasaki 750, with a small leak,and he repaired it with a fibre glass resin. A couple years later used the new ethanol gas and it started leaking overnight.
I want to use my beautiful glass fuel window level red 75 ss style tank,and take no chances of destroying it guessing. I sent an e-mail to casewell, and they said they had a motorcycle shop that they recommended to seal my tank for me. I contacted them, and they felt casewell might black out the fuel window. and they wouldn't guarantee that my beautiful paint would not accidentally get acetone on it,which would kill the paint.
So the 93 octane gas plus a little av gas,or booster might be an best bet.
Thanks guys for your help.Capt Paul

Duccout · May 4th, 2011, 12:27 am

You will definitely need to use a lead substitute additive. I've been running Castrol Valvemaster in my 900 for a few years and so far, so good.

Monty777 · May 5th, 2011, 9:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitchB

Capt -

There's probably two issues you should be looking at:

One is the Octane, and Ethanol content.
I would think the Alcohol free 93 gas would do the trick here. Also, try a smaller airport and see if AV GAS might be avail (old racer trick).

The other issue is Lead Content.
I don't know (but others here will) when Ducati went to more modern valve seats, but the older bikes needed some lead in the fuel to protect the seat from being beat to death by the valves.
Not sure if your 93 Octane will have the needed lead content - and I'd research and find out before too many miles on the bike.

I'm kinda in the same boat as I'm nearing completion of my '81 Darmah resto-mod, so I'll be watching this thread / posting as I learn...

+1 on the AVGAS CaptPaul-100LL is double leaded and has no water content so is very pure. I would mix it 50/50 with your 93octain and you should be good to go-always assuming you are somewhere near an airfield.

John

captpaul · May 5th, 2011, 8:47 pm

Good idea Monty777!

I live in wide open Florida, There's an airport 10 miles in every direction, full of vintage antique airplanes. I'm guessing gas for older planes must be 100-105 octane? I'll call a few airports. Maybe 5 gal of av gas might blend with 10 gal 93 good car alcohol free gas. that would give me about 4 tanks of fuel.

wdietz186 · May 5th, 2011, 8:56 pm

Paul, I just coated the inside of a Laverda tank with the Caswell coating.It works really well and is very clear when dry. If anything it may darken your stripe a tad and if you are careful it isn't that messy to use. A good thick wax job,plastic wrap and copious quantities of painters tape should protect your paint job well enough.

Desmo46 · May 5th, 2011, 9:14 pm

Kreem sells a liquid paint protector for use when sealing tanks that you brush on. It drys and turns into a plastic wrap like Saran wrap but with no gaps or overlaps to cause problems. I normally use three coats. It's always worked for me and when done you just peel it away. It will even protect against acetone as long as you wipe it up quickly.