E 5 or E10

[GerryT]

After many years I am ready to start using my Commander once I have the MOT
Can these engines run on E5 and or E10 ?

[PhilipFleming588]

They certainly will run on both fuels. However the decal on the petrol tank cover on my Commander says 4 Star min requirement 97 Octane, but the owners manual specifies 95 Octane. So I'm not sure which is correct. Perhaps this is because back in 1988 in the UK you could only buy 2 star (92 Octane) or 4 star petrol (98 Octane). Maybe someone wiser than me can give a definitive answer.

For most petrol brands in the UK these days if you want 97+ Octane it means you have to go for E5. E10 is 95 Octane. E5 has less bio-ethanol than E10 and is kinder to the rubber in the vacuum operated petrol tap. The "quality" petrol manufacturers bang on about their E5 having extra lubricants and detergents to keep injectors and valves clean and lubricated, but our bikes don't have injectors or valves. I dare say that E5 will keep the internals of SU carburetors cleaner but I don't know how much of a difference it makes.

FYI in most of the the south of England Esso guarantees that there is no bio-ethanol in their E5 petrol.

[Interpol2471]

E5 for me in everything it just seems false economy to use e10 as less efficient and the potential for ethanol corrosion is just scary

[johnbirchjar]

Yep,like 2471 I always use E5,(It's so much kinder to anything that uses carburettor's)J.B.

[GerryT]

Thank you looks like E5 the best to use but if need be I can use E10 occasionally if I can’t find E5

[johnbirchjar]

When one is on the Continent one has very little option,(in my experience E5 being virtually unobtainable)but I assume that because it was for only a short period,no harm seems to have been done,after umpteen trips( he says touching wood)ride safe,J.B.

[Ian Mc]

I bought my Commander in 1996 and always used 4 star. Now I use BP Ultimate with Castrol Valvemaster. 140,000 miles later and still 54mpg. E10 is not worth the risk.

[holger999]

Hello,
on my Norton F1 Sport, the spray supply for one side of the rotor was blocked.
The fuel pump was replaced 2 years ago.
Because of my chain tensioner of the primary chain, the F1 Sport has now been standing for almost 1 year; 2 x I have only been able to ride it.
Now I get photos of the fuel pump and the hoses today.
Who has had such fungal infestation? seen it?
I always fill up with Super E5, but also in other motorbikes.
The Norton and my other motorbikes are protected in a dry place and I have a dehumidifier in the room.
My Rotary specialist Clemens Bubner has not seen anything like this before, but he has another F1 Sport customer with the same problems.
The Norton Commanders from his brother and others are flawless.
aktuell:

Benzinpumpe-1 Jahr Standzeit nue Schläuche.jpg

Benzinpumpe-1 Jahr Standzeit neue Schläuche.jpg