My first dumb questions

[FJR Ken]

Thanks Gents 

[pgnz]

No you don't need to overhaul the engine or add lead substitute,   the Jap bike manufacturers back then were more clued-up than that,  those engine's were made to run on unleaded not leaded

[Eveready1100]

I don't see any dumb questions here. Just a couple of basic but vital ones concerning the well being of your future bike. Without knowing the simple things about these motors like the fact that they run backwards in the frame, one could unwittingly drastically reduce the life of the bike.
   Any other questions, mate? Fire away. You'll get plenty of willing answerers here.

BTW. The reason for the resounding NO to using ethanol based fuel is that it attacks all the rubbery bits in the fuel system, which is a bad thing cos there's so many rubbery bits in there. Diaphrams, fuel tap valves, carb mount rubbers etc.

[steptoe]

what the "big people" don't tell you is lead additive is 2 stroke oil,

bloody expensive way of buying 2 stoke in those little bottles,, every couple of tanks or so I put a couple of litres of lawn mower mix in my bike,, costs a lot less, does the same thing,

same as fred, I run ordinary unleaded

cruising thru the posts will find a lot of already discussed  subjects,,what do they say, there's no dumb questions, only dumb answers
                                I'm one of the kings of dumb questions 

[Christian Raith]

Just plain unleaded but you should not use the ethanol laced fuels

[Fred]

Where the welfare of a bike is concerned Ken there are no dumb questions.

The valves in their original state require the cushioning that the lead in petrol supplied. So, yes you need to add a lead replacement or have the head overhauled. That will cost you a fair few bucks so unless there is another reason to pull it apart just keep adding the lead replacement each time you top up the tank.

The bike is tuned to operate at peak performance on 91 Ron, standard unleaded. Contrary to some beliefs you will not get any added performance or better milage by using 95 or 98 Ron, premium unleaded. All that you are likely to get is a bike that will totally piss you off trying to start it on a cold morning when you are already late for work. Save the dollars for that extra pint on the weekend.

Never put the E gunge in myself and all the automotive associations and their reviewers warn you against it in any motor unless it is specifically made to run on it.

Welcome to the Brotherhood and if you don't know then ask.

[FJR Ken]

1St Dumb Question, Fuel

Hi,
This is most likely my first of many dumb questions regarding the XS.

Been trying to find out if unleaded fuels are ok for the bike ??
The bike was built when leaded fuel was around but have an idea the in Japan unleaded was phased out well before Australia.

If it's required, do you carry that lead additive ??
Or can the valve seats be refurbished / replaced ??

2nd Dumb Question

I take it the motor / carbies wouldn’t like any bio stuff in it, so no E nothing.
What octane rating do you use ?
It’s a lower compression motor so 95 ??

Cheers
Ken