BSA A10 unleaded fuel?

[twr7cx]

I have a BSA A10 Goldenflash (1961 originally sold in South Africa) that has been in storage for the last thirty years. Currently putting back together and am nearing the point of seeing if the engine runs. Have just rebuilt the carby and fuel lines, I have checked that I have spark.

Today I fitted the fuel tank, and am now looking to put some ULP in it. I have purchased some Flashlube Vale Saver Fluid ( http://www.flashlube.com/en/products/valve-saver-fluid.html ) as the lead replacement.

Any recommendations on whether to use 91, 95 or 98 RON? I assume not one of the ethanol blends.

[A10Boy]

Hi
If your Flash has std compression pistons - flat top 7.25:1 cr, it will be happy on the lower octane grades. Here we have 95 and mine is happy with that fuel.

[twr7cx]

If your Flash has std compression pistons - flat top 7.25:1 cr, it will be happy on the lower octane grades.

Thanks, as far as I know it is standard internally.

[trevinoz]

I don't take any chances and use 98 always, high or low compression.
For the number of miles I do, it won't break the bank.

Trev.

[Rgs-Bill]

You Aussie and Brit fellas are very lucky, in the U S all our fuels are 10% ethanol, even the premium 92 octane now has ethanol in it, and the highest octane rating is 92.  The fuel starts going bad, without STABIL in it, in 3 weeks. I am also firmly convinced 1/2 oz. per gallon of Marvel Mystery Oil, makes it safer from degrading also, plus getting some minute amount of upper engine lubrication.

                 RGS-BILL

[twr7cx]

You Aussie and Brit fellas are very lucky

Have you seen the prices that we pay for our fuel? You Americans would run riot if you were charged what we pay. I just bought 10L of Caltex Vortex 98 Premium Unleaded at 179.9 AUS cents per litre. That is about USD $6.06 per gallon!

[wilko]

Yes and LPG is now 90 cents, what a ripoff! China gets our LPG for 11 cents! ( I made that up)! Cheap anyway.

[A10Boy]

My choice isn't based on price. My Flash runs best on 95 octane with a dose of Castrol valvemaster plus.

[Butch (cb)]

Yeah - Always the highest octane I can find at the pumps, and with a splash of Castrol Valvemaster. 

[Rocket Racer]

low compression motor, designed for around 80 octane... if the 91 is clean enough thats all it needs. My B33 always gets the mower fuel.
fuels additives and quality vary from country to country. (usually rubbish fuel bumped up with nasty cancer causing additives)
On a high comp motor I'd run 95 or better still 98.
You can always try a tank of each and see what you prefer.
Investigate what goes in you local fuels as ethanol blends have their critics.

Upper cylinder lube is always a good call and if it still has the original unhardened seats depending on the mileage your planning a lead replacement.

Most modern fuels are designed for modern cars, with short burn duration. running a blend of racegas/avgas with pump gas (but not on the public roads honest officer) is the ideal.
Sadly Methanol not an option for the road although it runs really well, even on low comp, but expensive and cannot even be left in the tank. My A10 on methanol is a delightful engine, the methanol is such a slow burn, but then again all the fluids are dumped each race meeting. 

[muskrat]

And the Methanol keeps it much cooler. It should with the amount going in . A7SS got 12 MPG on the track. The carbs would ICE up at the end of Eastern Creek straight.
I only use 98 in all the bikes, high and low comp.
Cheers

[Tiger Dave]

You Aussie and Brit fellas are very lucky, in the U S all our fuels are 10% ethanol, even the premium 92 octane now has ethanol in it, and the highest octane rating is 92.  The fuel starts going bad, without STABIL in it, in 3 weeks. I am also firmly convinced 1/2 oz. per gallon of Marvel Mystery Oil, makes it safer from degrading also, plus getting some minute amount of upper engine lubrication.

                 RGS-BILL

+1  Marvel Mystery Oil is good stuff for keeping fuel stable and eliminating carbon buildup but it is rather expensive.  As good as it is for upper cylinger and valve train lubrication, I think that modern two stroke oils provide even better lubrication.

I have found that an ounce of synthetic two stroke oil seems to replace the lubricity that was provided by leaded fuels.  My valve guides and cylinders seem to last longer and the motor runs a bit cooler.

I use between 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce per gallon with no smoke or plug fouling.

It might be "snake oil" but I believe in it and I plan to keep using it.

Cheers

[RichardL]

Saw this today: http://www.flyingmag.com/faa-selects-two-unleaded-fuels-for-testing?cmpid=enews033116&spPodID=030&spMailingID=25121905&spUserID=MTQyNDEyNzkyNzUyS0&spJobID=765004450&spReportId=NzY1MDA0NDUwS0

If an unleaded fuel can be developed for piston aircraft designed for leaded, why can't they do the same for autos (and motorcycles, of course?) Just kidding, I know why -- price per gallon. On the other hand, price per gallon wouldn't bother me given how little I use each year. Maybe I could just pull up to the local private airport and pump it into a can.

Richard L.

[muskrat]

We like living dangerously down here. The greenies are being held down (should be under water).
It is a little harder to get avgas. You need a plane or a racing license or a mate at the airfield .
We can still buy a lot of stuff thats been banned over there years ago.
Cheers

[BSA_54A10]

Yes and LPG is now 90 cents, what a ripoff! China gets our LPG for 11 cents! ( I made that up)! Cheap anyway.

Not far off, 28c / litre landed