I assume that classic Triumphs would require leaded gasoline. Now that lead is not available, does this affect Triumph motors, valves, etc?

My 53 Speed Twin does not seem to care. No obvious problems with the valves or seats. If I had a choice I would use leaded fuel but it is not available and I do not want to play around with additives.

Are you going to the Cape Breton race this fall?

Gordo

Thx. I've haven't got a bike yet, as I'm checking out two T100S next week. Sounds interesting though.

Out here we have had unleaded gas for years.

I've been knocking around historic vehicle circles in NZ for about 15 years and never heard of anyone with a problem. Some use additives, most don't.

Not saying it's not a risk, but I think the risk was way over stated. Fill it up with the best octane gas you can, use the best quality oil you can, ride it often and don't worry about it.

I do not have a Triumph, but the BSA is similar in this aspect.
I can not fill up with leaded petrol any more in our village. So here I add a liquid lead substitute, which I buy at the local BP petrol station.
When I fill up during a ride (usually appr. 13 liters or appr 3.xx gallons) I do not use the substitute.
I never noticed anything different.
Why did my exhaust valves sieze, some will ask (I wrote about this a week ago). I'm convinced that this had nothing to do with the fuel, but with to narrow tollerances on clearence between valve stem and guide bushing, yes or no in combination with an oil flow problem (still to be checked).
Why the lead substitute than, at home? Old habits I think.
I had four air cooled VW Beetles as well. Same basic design of head and valves, same story.
So I think your Triumph can run without a problem on unleaded fuel.

Good luck.

A Triumph with an alloy head is ok on unleaded fuel, apparently. I put some stuff in the fuel anyway for some reason, peace of mind I suppose. What is important is to not use too low an octane rating. I use the 98 stuff normally but the 95 doesn't seem to make any difference (650 TR6R). You can make a bike pink or ping if you try hard enough. Opening up at low revs is a good way. A triumph twin is a bit of a revver really, it's not supposed to sound like a Harley or a couple of B31s, so if you let it run naturally it will be fine.

An iron head Triumph requires an additive because the seats are different.

Unleaded works fine in all my bikes, Triumphs, BSA's, and others. The 650's like 93 octane, the 350 and singles run fine on 87. My 1935 Royal Enfield will even run on 1/2 gas 1/2 kerosene.

Like a bat outta hell.

Z

Valve guide material is a consideration whilst running unleaded petrol in older British motorbikes.

There were some urban folk tales during the introduction of unleaded fuels about valve damage to vintage bikes without this or special metal on the valve seats or valve faces, but for the most part they have not come true. Some people modify their ignition timing by 1 or 2 degrees, but as long as you run high octane fuels you're usually good to go.

Awooga! Awooga! Thread hijack alert.

I was told last year (by the *** who refused to dyno my 500 - see other thread) that Shell Optimax was virtually indistinguishable from C16 race fuel on the dyno.

Looks like the sales bumf may be true.

Can anyone verify that Optimax IS as good as race fuel...or for that matter the BP equivalent - BP Ultimate?

Cheers

Bob

There's that profanity detector again...instead off ***, read git