France becomes first country in europe to put ethanol in fuel

[Gizmo]

I just became aware that since April 2009 France now allows 10 % ethanol in it's 95 octane petrol ("SP95 E10"). Why does that impact on Ducati owners? well, if you have a plastic tanked bike there have been well documented issues in the US with tanks spreading and warping and its almost certainly related to the high ethanol content of US gas.

Sport classics seem to be the worst affected and hopefully Ducati will now think about what they are going to do with existing owners bikes as if i did take my bike to the europe I'd have concerns using French fuel in it.

 

[DKM]

if i did take my bike to the US I'd have concerns using French fuel in it.

????

Surely the French fuel would run out long before you got there?

 

[Gizmo]

lucky i left the edit function in

 

[Dave G]

And its not just plastic tanks on bikes either, this has also caused problems with various plastic componants in cars too.

 

[mbg]

I was considering riding down through France this year to stay with a friend but this sounds rather worrying.

Is there any information/data about this on the net?

 

[Chiz]

:flash::flash: YAHOO!!!!!::flash::
Another type of fuel apart from diesel to put in the 848.
It gets better & better & now I can damage the bodywork as well as the engine.:doh:

GOOD TIMES

 

[Mad Dash]

I just became aware that since April 2009 France now allows ethanol in it's 95 octane petrol

Poor Ethanol, is she OK, that must hurt

 

[Ray]

Tesco 99, Tescos version of super unleaded has been 5% bioethanol for yonks.

http://www.greenergy.com/tesco_99_octane/FAQs.html

It's not melted or damaged any of the plastic petrol containers I've used to carry it in.

Ray.

 

[Gizmo]

I was considering riding down through France this year to stay with a friend but this sounds rather worrying.

Is there any information/data about this on the net?

the sport classic problem is well documented on ducati.ms just stick ethanol in the search and it brings up a lot of threads. google ethanol and fuel tank damage and you find that the marine industry has been aware of it for some time, older fibreglass tanks seem more at risk.

a couple i dug out from google

http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_problems_damage.html

http://camaros.us/camaro-chevy-related/2008/ethanol-and-your-chevy-camaro/

http://www.ethanolfreechatt.com/aboutethanol.html

make your own mind up but personally I'd prefer to avoid ethanol based fuels, I didn't realise that tesco already had it, I now need to find out which companies do put it in and make sure i don't fill up there.

 

[BDG]

Gawd knows what the Moroccans put in it out in the desert then, look at the colour

 

[239desmo]

I wonder if that will also affect products such as Petseal that is used to seal old tanks?
If so that will be a major issue for the "classic" owners in the country.

 

[rendo]

funny how those plastic bottles the moroccan uses have not melted.

are those cases of tanks being damaged caused by using e10 specifically. there are many different 'blends' of ethanol. Most vehicles in Brazil run on E85 (85%ethanol/15% gas).

Ducati quote from Fuel-testers.com "Additives to fuel or lubricants are not allowed."
Strangely Harley don't recommend it either but only because it will give a lesser fuel economy.

 

[PaulV]

I was considering riding down through France this year to stay with a friend but this sounds rather worrying.

Is there any information/data about this on the net?

Aren't all the petrol tanks on your bikes metal?????????

 

[Mad Dash]

I wonder if that will also affect products such as Petseal

I had a petseal once, but he swam away... sorry Stewart that was poor.

 

[Mad Dash]

Being Serious

On a serious note, the governments have only themselves to blame for all of this. We all knew petrol was a limited resource, we all knew China and developing third world countries were going to develop faster and therfore use oil in HUGE amounts - but NOTHING was done.

Now, on the "eve" of oil depletion (in relative terms) the panic now begins for alternative energy.... that should have been done 20 years ago. But no, the power of OPEC won the day.

For me the writing was on the wall when Dubai very wisely started investing in tourism, knowing that the black gold was running out, but still able to enjoy the HUGE wealth from it to develop their country in other ways... well done Dubai.

What have we got, unsighlty windfarms and Haggis Power.

And just to bring a right debate in - NUCLEAR POWER - build them eveywhere I say, Nuke power is plenty, clean and cheap, and what's wrong with two heads anyway ???

2p

 

[PaulV]

I had a petseal once, but he swam away... sorry Stewart that was poor.

Has DB got your log on details MD.....

That was of his standards....

 

[239desmo]

I had a petseal once, but he swam away... sorry Stewart that was poor.

Borderduc couldn't have done worse!




That is not a compliment though!:lol2:
(at least you didn't mention fish......damn...I just did!)

 

[mbg]

Aren't all the petrol tanks on your bikes metal?????????

No. The S2R has a plastic tank.

 

[PaulV]

No. The S2R has a plastic tank.

Didn't realise... every days a school day!

 

[Mad Dash]

No. The S2R has a plastic tank.

so does the 1098... crap it is too... never polishes right compared to metal tank of the D16RR, which gleams like a new pin

 

[centurysup]

For me the writing was on the wall when Dubai very wisely started investing in tourism, knowing that the black gold was running out, but still able to enjoy the HUGE wealth from it to develop their country in other ways... well done Dubai.

They had no choice MD. Dubai has very little - if any - oil or gas. It's all in the other Emirates that make up the UAE, particularly Abu Dhabi.

Historically Dubai's wealth has been generated from trade, and what they've done is change from being a trade-based economy to one that's driven by tourism and leisure. Thanks to the recent collapse in property and asset prices, Dubai itself is as good as insolvent these days and is being bailed out by Abu Dhabi.

 

[mbg]

so does the 1098... crap it is too... never polishes right compared to metal tank of the D16RR, which gleams like a new pin

Couldn't agree more.

There is also the issue of finding a suitable tank bag. They might have designed one at the same time as the plastic tanks. I know there are several out there for plastic tanks but they all tend to mark the tank no matter how well they are fitted.

 

[Chiz]

Plastic tank.

Couldn't agree more.

There is also the issue of finding a suitable tank bag. They might have designed one at the same time as the plastic tanks. I know there are several out there for plastic tanks but they all tend to mark the tank no matter how well they are fitted.

Get a bag connection tank bag.
Mine was spot on when I went on the Northern Run.
The Desmo diesel was brill & the petrol tank connection is ideal.
Mucho impressed & may buy a bigger version.
It stands proud of the tank & therefore does not rub against it.

 

[mbg]

Thanks for the info Scott. What make is it and how easy is it to take off/put on?

 

[Chiz]

Thanks for the info Scott. What make is it and how easy is it to take off/put on?

Company is BAG CONNECTIONS
It is connected to an adaptor on the Fuel tap.
Takes 7 minutes to install this adaptor.
There is an attachment on the tankbag itself with a spring location pin. This in turn has a small nylon line contection to it.
You just pull the pin & the bag disconnects from the tank.
2 seconds max.
It is a cracking idea.:idea:
Go on the net & you will see all the variety of bags they have.
I will look for a internet link for you.
www.bags-connection.com
You can buy it in the UK on other sites.

 

[Mad Dash]

Hey Chiz, the only thing you need for your tank.... is.....

Spoiler

a wee sign that say unleaded

 

[Chiz]

Hey Chiz, the only thing you need for your tank.... is.....

Spoiler

a wee sign that say unleaded

:flash::gayfight::twak::twak::flash:
Was waiting for that.
Get on with yer work.