Leaded Fuel

[TomyJ]

Were motorcycle engines affected by the lead change in gasoline from the 70s? I know car engines had to have the heads reworked or was that HP engines? I have a 1977 Suzuki garage find that has been sitting for 25+ years, but still turns over, I'm thinking reverse trike.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Were motorcycle engines affected by the lead change in gasoline from the 70s? I know car engines had to have the heads reworked or was that HP engines? I have a 1977 Suzuki garage find that has been sitting for 25+View attachment 47220 years, but still turns over, I'm thinking reverse trike.

Yes and NO

If u have a Catastrophic {SIC} convertor you could get bad JUJU and cause it to plug up

If u do not IMO don't panic, The lead in the gas is a soft metal used first to add color, them they also new it would be an octane booster 2

In Canada, the government along with I think it was Shell Oil were playing with other metals to get around the lead, Magnesium was 1 but I dunno how that turned out

 

[rhino 2]

Yes and NO

If u have a Catastrophic {SIC} convertor you could get bad JUJU and cause it to plug up

If u do not IMO don't panic, The lead in the gas is a soft metal used first to add color, them they also new it would be an octane booster 2

In Canada, the government along with I think it was Shell Oil were playing with other metals to get around the lead, Magnesium was 1 but I dunno how that turned out

Back when, AMOCO...50's/60's was the only all lead free gas you could get, Some called called it 'White Gas...

And we would also use it in our camp stoves and lanterns...

 

[Ozarkryder]

Lead in gas provided a cushion for the valved against the heads. The lead to no-lead conversion was adding hardened valve seats. If it is going to be used gently and just once in a while, you can most likely get away without changing the seats. You may be able to just add a lead substitute sor moderate use. If you will be running it an a regular basis and ride it like you stole it then adding hardened valve seats and valves will be a good idea. You'll probably want to get into at least the top end after 25+ years, adding valve seats is not a large expense. After all that sitting you may want to get into the bottom end, too. An idle engine is not a happy engine.

 

[Sidecarbill]

Most of the motorcycles back then were ok with unleaded. Old iron head sportster I had didn't like it, just had hardened seats put in. Most manufacturers saw the writing on the wall and were ready for the change. My brother bought a 77 Suzuki 550 new, said in hand book use unleaded.

 

[Pegasus1300]

By 1977 the Japanese were building their bikes to meet future emissions standards and you could run lead free with no problem.