two-stroke bikes on the road

Cool! It'll be some time before I have the NSR road worthy... how do you find the MC16 compared to the RS250?
 
Last edited:
2stroker said:
And as far as gas goes only use Shell, they are the only ones left that don't use Ethanol in their premium.
Click to expand...

Is ethanol content an issue for 2-strokes in some way? I've read plenty of anecdotes concerning the negative effects of ethanol in fuel, but no actual science or engineering. I know it was supposedly introduced to help reduce startup and idling emissions (with political pressure from all angles, depending on the article).

Nice R5, PB. It would make a nifty cafe base. Still trying to get some real information on vintage insurance since TD won't touch 30+ year old bikes. It could be a non-starter depending on the premiums, but I'd love an RD350/400.
 
Flywheel said:
Is ethanol content an issue for 2-strokes in some way? I've read plenty of anecdotes concerning the negative effects of ethanol in fuel, but no actual science or engineering. I know it was supposedly introduced to help reduce startup and idling emissions (with political pressure from all angles, depending on the article).

Nice R5, PB. It would make a nifty cafe base. Still trying to get some real information on vintage insurance since TD won't touch 30+ year old bikes. It could be a non-starter depending on the premiums, but I'd love an RD350/400.
Click to expand...

Ethanol requires less air to burn than gasoline, so if you are one of those guys that has his bike jetted on the hairy edge, ethanol could make it run lean. Using E85 fuel a carbureted engine will run 6% leaner. For a bike with stock jetting I doubt it will make much difference though.
 
Also, it more readily absorbs water and can gum up carbs.

I try to run V-Power when possible for this reason, but I'm not that concerned if I get a tank of regular. (On my Bandit 600... I'm not a 2-stroker yet.)
 
Flywheel said:
Is ethanol content an issue for 2-strokes in some way? I've read plenty of anecdotes concerning the negative effects of ethanol in fuel, but no actual science or engineering. I know it was supposedly introduced to help reduce startup and idling emissions (with political pressure from all angles, depending on the article).

Nice R5, PB. It would make a nifty cafe base. Still trying to get some real information on vintage insurance since TD won't touch 30+ year old bikes. It could be a non-starter depending on the premiums, but I'd love an RD350/400.
Click to expand...

In the sleds, the ethanol causes a white precipitate to drop out in the carbs that requires manual cleaning. Unless they are tuned right on the edge there was no noticeable operating difference between fuels with or without ethanol (other than the mess in the carbs). I am guessing the white stuff is something to do with ethanol and cold but don't know for sure. One sled was setup to run 30% toluene and ethanol free fuel, EGT's caused problems when normal (ethanol containing) fuel was used (changed back since, just too much of a pain).
 
badjoke said:
Ok,

first, so sorry if this is a question answered somewhere else...

and the googles doesn't wanna help today.

What's the deal with two-stroke bikes?

Can you plate them for road? Insure them?
I'm thinking about older 70's suzuki's in particular.

thanks!
Click to expand...



Yes you can definately put 2 strokes on the road.

Ive got both my 250s plated on the road in Toronto.

2 Stroke NSR
4 Stroke CBR250RR

Being over 15 years made the process straightforward.

Slide4.jpg



http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...RR-***Tons-of-Pics-gt-Dial-Up-gt-Go-Home!!***
 
nokturnal said:
I miss my RZ...

DSCN0411.jpg


And my LC...

DSCN1945.jpg


(the LC, incedentally, is now owned by my father, and will be for sale in the spring ;))

I put 1500km Parry Sound weekends on all three of the bikes above. Not a hiccup.
Click to expand...

Both stunning bikes in fantastic condition for being 25 years old. You see so many that have been thrashed.
 
Damn this is one sweet kawii...

Looks like riding season is here!
Glad to see that there are still two stroke fans out there!




mike said:
Here's mine at a gas stop

73 s1 250 triple. 7300 original miles

Ride it more often then my 2 SportBikes

7b021b4b.jpg
Click to expand...
 
gamma1 said:
That is one nice LC. I almost called when I saw it for sale last year...Maybe in the spring.....;-)
Click to expand...
Nice RD! I have an '81 as well. I just got it going again last year after sitting in the garage for 18 years. Insurance was cheap from Jevco at $460/year. One thing I noticed is that it smokes a lot more than the cars on the road today. I didn't notice it so much 20 years ago when cars burned oil and polluted a lot more than they do now. Mine is bone stoke and seems very reliable with about 25k on it now. Not so much fun on the 400 series hiways hope to get out in the country more this summer.
 
i've always wanted a RD with drum brakes, maybe one day...

n_18.jpg
 
GreyGhost said:
In the sleds, the ethanol causes a white precipitate to drop out in the carbs that requires manual cleaning. Unless they are tuned right on the edge there was no noticeable operating difference between fuels with or without ethanol (other than the mess in the carbs). I am guessing the white stuff is something to do with ethanol and cold but don't know for sure. One sled was setup to run 30% toluene and ethanol free fuel, EGT's caused problems when normal (ethanol containing) fuel was used (changed back since, just too much of a pain).
Click to expand...

I think speedway bikes with the Jawa engines run on pure ethanol and the trick was to have the carb or maybe just the float bowl nickel plated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom