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I intend racing the Inzane 650 Formula at this year’s pre-TT classic races, which was successfully campaigned by Ian Calvert’s team running 15% ethanol fuel. Ian’s only proviso is I use the same fuel, which I have agreed. Therefore, it’s not all bad as far as I am concerned. However, I must admit that all our fuel in the IOM is still ethanol free, which is probably better for my older Laverdas.
Are you sure it’s ethanol free? I know ours is E5 , E10 which only means “up to 5%,10%” - I think Shell super unleaded was supposed to be ethanol free but there info became a bit ambiguous on their website when I last looked. My old ‘69 750 ran perfectly well on E10 when I did a test tank full- no noticeable difference.
 
Since you're in CA, contact Steve Allen at Bevel Heaven for Dell Orto carb kits and his rebuild PDFs- he's THE Dell Orto man!
Thanks Teddy
I have them off the bike for restoration and will contact him about his parts and services.
Thanks to all and I buy my fuel 100 octane in IDAHO in 2- 55 gallon stainless drums as we come home from Sturgis with the toy hauler and bike.
I understand about political topics on forums and do not reply with them keep it LAVERDA thanks
Jeff
 
The main problem is not so much running, but when bikes (or any other petrol engined equipment) sit for some time, as ethanol can hold a lot of water? That and some plastic and rubber type products do not tolerate it.
Here the tube inside the Zane650 gastank after ten years in a shed. When the bike is in use this won’t happen.
Thanks to ethanol.
 

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There is easily purchased and very inexpensive testing kits available to determine ethanol % in gasoline. Briggs and Stratton lawn care machinery company has one for $5cdn.
Since the nation ban on E%0 fuel here in Canada, there has been much confusion among both the motorcycle and car enthusiasts, in fact downright indignant arguments at car and bike shows. The previous Gold Standard of fuels here had been Chevron 94 AKI (anti knock index), which was advertised for decades as 0% ethanol. Consistant texting has proven it is now 10% ethanol, winter and summer blend. Lack of awareness of this national ban, coupled with Canada’s winter in 98% of its land mass dictating 1-4 month storage of enthusiasts machines, has meant a booming business in shops specializing in classic machines, mainly dealing with long term storage of E5 or greater gasoline caused damage, mainly in its capacity to bond to atmospheric water as essentially one agent, which sinks to the bottom of fuel tanks, where rust takes over.

Thankfully there are weirdos like me who regularly check ethanol % values right at the pumps, and call out results on the various club social formats, many here on Facebook. In spite of being called every name under the book who call my testing results BS, it’s still something I think is important. Regarding certain jurisdictions with a certain country demanding 15% ethanol, yes it’s true. Already vehicle manufacturers like Porsche have announced cancelling sales of gasoline powered vehicles within that jurisdiction based on testing results of their cars.
 
Are you sure it’s ethanol free? I know ours is E5 , E10 which only means “up to 5%,10%” - I think Shell super unleaded was supposed to be ethanol free but there info became a bit ambiguous on their website when I last looked. My old ‘69 750 ran perfectly well on E10 when I did a test tank full- no noticeable difference.
As you have to add the ethanol post refinery as we don't have the facility to do that in the IOM our fuel remains ethanol free (for now).
 
Here the tube inside the Zane650 gastank after ten years in a shed. When the bike is in use this won’t happen.
Thanks to ethanol.
No ethanol in Australian fuels (unless you choose it) and Zane fuel pump lines will still look like that. Have done two repairs on same.
 
POS is that a technical term 😁 or is it bastardisation of the descriptive moniker known as a “shitter”
“Shit-box” is the preferred UK trade term, as far as I am aware a “ shitter” should be used to describe a neighbour who has an old settee and car tyres in the front garden, a coward or a persons backside..see also “ take it up the Gary”- Viz Profanosaurus
 
Would it be possible to leave the partisan politics out of this forum? Surely there are other places on the internet where one can express these opinions if that is necessary. These are people from all over the world here, of many different viewpoints, united by our love for our Laverda motorcycles. Can we concentrate on that instead of regional politics?
Yes, you are correct, this is not the place or time for politics. Carry on, talk amongst yourselves, LDL (Let's discuss Laverda).
 
Here the tube inside the Zane650 gastank after ten years in a shed. When the bike is in use this won’t happen.
Thanks to ethanol.
If Zane copied Aprillia (and or the tank/pump supplier), that will have happened regardless of ethanol or regular use - the problem was bad choice of rubber spec. It's a well known issue in Aprilia land.
 
If Zane copied Aprillia (and or the tank/pump supplier), that will have happened regardless of ethanol or regular use - the problem was bad choice of rubber spec. It's a well known issue in

If Zane copied Aprillia (and or the tank/pump supplier), that will have happened regardless of ethanol or regular use - the problem was bad choice of rubber spec. It's a well known issue in Aprilia land.
You and Steve G are probably right. It’s hard to see what actually damage the tube. Modern petrol is more aggressive than earlier. With or without ethanol.
With the right tube the problem is over. Cost €30 for 30cm tube but solves it.
 
QVB Sydney alternate entrance than George Street, lovely old era building, lovely old ute to match... eye of the beholder, wry smile. j
 
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