The Hodaka Club Forum

OK. So a general question. How long will non-ethanol premium last with a 28:1 mix of synthetic 2 stroke oil remain stable in a tank? I have had that mixed fuel in the tank now for over 2 weeks. I know I wouldn't keep castor based mixes this long. So should I toss it or is it still reliable? Victor

I have never tossed out gas from a motorcycle tank just because it has set around for a while. Synthetic oils remain dispersed in gas indefinitely. Two weeks is no time at all. I have started car engines on eleven year old gasoline, so two weeks isn't much time at all. Do you dump the fuel from your lawn mower or string trimmer just because you haven't run the engine in two weeks?

If you are worried about it, toss in some Stabil. But I wouldn't worry about it. If your garage was in Phoenix in the middle of summer, I might think about changing fuel after a month or two, but at your altitude, I don't think you have storage issues.

Great Jack! Good to know. My last 2 stroke had an oil pump and a holding tank similar to the later Hodies. So my experience with premix is limited. Victor

Hey Jack, just a thought here. My understanding is that many of the fuel preservatives such as Stabil and Sea Foam have alcohol as a constituent of their formulations. This raises concern regarding effects on oil seals. Are you aware of any data confirming the safety of these products when blended with premix for 2-stroke motors? Thank you.

I have used Stabil for years. Yes, it does have a tad of alcohol, but since you use only a cap full to a gallon of gas, it isn't like you are going to have ethanol problems, and without looking at the label, I don't believe the alcohol used is ethanol, but more likely is methanol.

The problem with ethanol is that it is used to replace other chemicals to boost octane. Typically ethanol is used at ten percent, which is substantial. Using Stabil would raise alcohol presence by a parts per million factor, not by a measurable percentage. Also, Stabil offers more than one product, including one that helps counter the effects of ethanol.

Folks have used Heat in gasoline for years without issues. Heat is just methanol, which picks up water from the gas and holds it in suspension making it easier to burn off when the engine is running, and keeping condensation from freezing in fuel lines. Ethanol would do the same thing if used sparingly, but used at ten per cent, it picks up substantial amounts of moisture and holds it, just as methanol does, which leads to corrosion in the fuel system. Not to mention that ethanol is a crap fuel for an engine if it doesn't have something else present to make it burn, like nitromethane. Ethanol use in gasoline is a government program intended to bolster grain farmers profits, not improve engine function.

Anyway, you use only a half ounce of Stabil or so per gallon of gas, Stabil is not pure alcohol, and the total amount of alcohol added to fuel mix is minuscule. You won't know it is there.

I'd suspect that the alcohol in some gas additives is just a vehicle to hold ingredients in solution.
I find that non-ethanol gas has decent keeping properties and wouldn't be surprised if a quality 2-stroke premix oil has stabilizers to help the premix last longer. I regularly use non-ethanol premix six months old in my Hodie, but won't use year-old gas.

Thank you Jack (and Bill)! This is excellent information. Stabil it is.

Fuel lasts a LOT longer ufcthd bike doesn't fall over while on the lift at night, spilling the fuel mix all over the lift & garage floor!!! Victor

I put in a couple more eye hooks in my lift and strap the bike down. ------------------ Clarence

Yes, that's my plan as well. Victor