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You are here: Index ---Motorcycle Performance Guide - Gasoline / Petrol
Gasoline
/ Petrol
Regular,
Super, Ultra, Racing, AVgas, Octane Plus...
& Specifications (in progress)
(Comsumer and Racing Gas)• A Consumer's Guide: Gasoline Octane for Cars
• REGULAR -- MIDGRADE -- PREMIUM -- Which Octane Should I Use?
• How Much Octane?
• Racing Gasolines
• Octane Number Confusion
• Fuel Glossary
We can all agree that gasoline or petrol is one very important component in our motorcycle. Without it, we are not going anywhere!
There is a lot of misinformation about gasoline/petrol our there. Hopefully this Gasoline Performance Guide will help you and others better understand what you are putting in your engine.
Fuel Glossary
Aromatics:
This is a type of chemical compound referred to as a cyclic organic due to
it's circular structure. They are found in nearly all gasolines, normally
as toluene. Xylene is less common, and benzene is restricted to very low levels
due to toxicity.
Distillation:
A gasoline contains various hydrocarbons that boil at different temperatures.
As a result, the gasoline boiling range can extend from 800F to a maximum
of 437F. This is in contrast to water that bolls only at 212F at sea level.
Octane Numbers:
Octane Number
Definition: A value used to indicate the resistance of a motor fuel to
knock. Octane numbers are based on a scale on which isooctane is 100 (minimal
knock) and heptane is 0 (bad knock). Also Known As: Octane Rating
Example: A gasoline with an octane number of 92 has the same knock as a mixture
of 92% isooctane and 8% heptane.
Research Octane Number (RON)
is measured under mild conditions and is more important in controlling part
throttle knock.
Motor Octane Number (MON)
is measured under more severe conditions and is most important for octane
satisfaction at wide open throttle.
Anti-Knock Index (AKI)
is the average of the RON and MON. This is the number posted on the retail
gasoline pumps normally indicating 87, 89, or 92 octane. Racing gasoline have
AKI's from 100 to 118.
Oxygenated Compounds:
These are required in street gasolines in many areas of the U.S. to help reduce
exhaust emissions. The two most common oxygenated compounds are Methyl Tertiary
Butyl Ether (MTBE) and Ethanol (This is an alcohol).
Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP):
Normally measured in psi, RVP is a measure of the front end volatility of
the (RVP)gasoline. This is important for getting a carburetor car started
in cold weather. Summer RVP = 7 psi, and winter RVP = 13.5 psi.
Specific Gravity:
Measures the density of gasoline compared to water A specific gravity of 0.720
means that the gasoline weighs 0.72 times as much as water, or it is 72% of
the weight of water. Most gasolines weigh about 6.2 pounds per gallon.
Volatility:
Used in referring to the ease with which a gasoline turns from a liquid to
a vapor. Low volatility refers to low RVP, indicating less light hydrocarbons
in the gasoline front end. Southern California summer grade gasolines have
low volatility. Winter grade gasolines in Michigan are high volatility, or
high RVP to make the engine easier to start in sub-zero temperatures.
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