Last week, I was distracted at the pump, and put the wrong octane fuel in the tank.
The manual calls for Premium. The clerk had given me a hard time about some pricing for a product I was purchasing that was clearly contrary to what was marked on the shelf. I let her have her little victory without a fight. There are other ways of solving this without "getting into it" with a minimum wage worker. I was mentally repeating the exchange, and plotting how to prove myself right without confrontation the next time I stop in. I glanced at the multi-pump and saw the pricing @ $3.11. I remembered that is what I paid last week across town for Premium, and put the nozzle in my tank and selected the price of $3.11.
A few minutes later, I have fuel boiling up to the top of the neck of the tank, and quite a ways to go on the pump before I got all the gas I paid for into the tank. Apparently, I calculated and paid for the proper grade of fuel, but did not follow through.
And selected the cheaper grade of fuel.
Long and short of it. The bike ran like crap. I guess with a 12.5:1 compression ration, you have to follow the octane recommendations pretty close. Especially, with the cruddy fuel management computer that is stock on Buells. In the afternoon, the bike was knocking, rattling, and all manner of not good stuff. I stopped and got a can of octane booster. Added it to the tank, and ran it for a while. It had helped a bit, but I haven't been able to really "get on it" without hearing some noises. Finally, I used up the old stuff, and filled up with a fresh tank.
Yes....I selected the proper grade this time! :wink:
The manual calls for Premium. The clerk had given me a hard time about some pricing for a product I was purchasing that was clearly contrary to what was marked on the shelf. I let her have her little victory without a fight. There are other ways of solving this without "getting into it" with a minimum wage worker. I was mentally repeating the exchange, and plotting how to prove myself right without confrontation the next time I stop in. I glanced at the multi-pump and saw the pricing @ $3.11. I remembered that is what I paid last week across town for Premium, and put the nozzle in my tank and selected the price of $3.11.
A few minutes later, I have fuel boiling up to the top of the neck of the tank, and quite a ways to go on the pump before I got all the gas I paid for into the tank. Apparently, I calculated and paid for the proper grade of fuel, but did not follow through.
And selected the cheaper grade of fuel.Long and short of it. The bike ran like crap. I guess with a 12.5:1 compression ration, you have to follow the octane recommendations pretty close. Especially, with the cruddy fuel management computer that is stock on Buells. In the afternoon, the bike was knocking, rattling, and all manner of not good stuff. I stopped and got a can of octane booster. Added it to the tank, and ran it for a while. It had helped a bit, but I haven't been able to really "get on it" without hearing some noises. Finally, I used up the old stuff, and filled up with a fresh tank.
Yes....I selected the proper grade this time! :wink:
