Is if safe to run on avgas??...

[LMT GS500]

Sorry if this question has been asked and repeated before but I'm looking for a simply yes or no answer.
Is it safe to run my gs500e on a tank of avgas or should I mixed it with regular unleaded petrol? The cost of avgas isn't an issue; I worked with aircraft and have an abundant supply
I'll add this is an everyday to and from work bike not a track racer.

[RossLH]

I wouldn't recommend it. Your bike probably doesn't have enough compression to burn off the lead, and the avgas would likely cause some fuel lines, o-rings, and seals to swell. You'd have to keep a close eye out for leaks and clean the plugs pretty regularly.

[Wagoneer]

There would be zero point to need that high of an octane in this engine, especially with 9:1 compression. Not to mention the lead would cause problems because like the above poster said, it won't burn completely and reek havoc on things.

[fetor56]

I think the concentration of avgas would be directly proportional to the shortness of engine life.

[LMT GS500]

Haha I guess this is definitely a no go then.

[Janx101]

Unless you figure a way to mount a small aircraft engine in the bike frame 

[LMT GS500]

Hmmm I could imagine a lycoming o-540 mounted in the frame but the opposed cylinders might make me look like a sprawled eagle driving down the bypass 

[Janx101]

Would be a 'cool noise' sprawled eagle though!!

[twocool]

If I understand correctly, some GS 500 have cat converters in the exhaust...I think from 04 onward...but maybe different in different countries....

But the point is, that lead in gas will ruin a cat converter......If the vehicle has lots of other pollution control stuff, like O2 sensors etc...lead can ruin them too...


Lead will also leave deposits inside the engine...on the valves...spark plugs... heads etc....

In older engines...these lead deposits were actually beneficial, somewhat, as it formed a "cushion" and lubricant..for the  parts like valves...

Modern engines are designed around this...and lead is no longer desired....

In our airplane shop, we spend a lot of time cleaning the lead out of the spark plugs...aviation plugs are built differently than for cars...little lead balls form inside the plug between the ceramic and the metal casing of the plug..we use a little vibrating pick to get them out...then we blast clean too..

I think a motorcycle could run for quite a long time on leaded gas....but it is eventually gonna catch up...and the plugs would need more frequent attention.....

At our airport, we run all of the landscaping stuff on av gas...weed whackers, lawn movers, small tractors...really not a problem....we use the "waste gas" from a container where everybody dumps out therir test samples after "sumping" the airplane tanks...


Really...unleaded gas does a lot to keep modern engines running "clean" with less maintenance...

Cookie

Sorry if this question has been asked and repeated before but I'm looking for a simply yes or no answer.
Is it safe to run my gs500e on a tank of avgas or should I mixed it with regular unleaded petrol? The cost of avgas isn't an issue; I worked with aircraft and have an abundant supply
I'll add this is an everyday to and from work bike not a track racer.

[slipperymongoose]

I'd say give it a crack. But at night to see if you can get and flamage out the exhaust.

[Leadberry]

Am I the only one here who would be even remotely concerned about lead oxide fallout from the exhaust?  Think of the kids man.  o.O

[slipperymongoose]

Am I the only one here who would be even remotely concerned about lead oxide fallout from the exhaust?  Think of the kids man.  o.O

Yes you would be

[mister]

Am I the only one here who would be even remotely concerned about lead oxide fallout from the exhaust?  Think of the kids man.  o.O

Love it... drive a car, own a bike, live in a modern world where there is loads of pollution generated to provide the nice conveniences we enjoy, but be concerned about One Man's use of leaded gas?

[gsJack]

Am I the only one here who would be even remotely concerned about lead oxide fallout from the exhaust?  Think of the kids man.  o.O

LMT GS500 lives in the Falkland Islands, no EPA there.   

[twinrat]

run on Av gas your only problem is if you have a catalytic convertor..Up untill cats were introduced all petrol driven vehicles ran on leaded fuel and lasted.Cats block up and to overcome this problem they introduced lead free fuel

[BrianRC]

I wouldn't worry yourself much, Leaded gas will indeed screw with the cat but you don't have one all you can look forwards to is a cooler running engine that fouls plugs easily and quite frequently. Unlike an aircraft which you can alter its mixture to lean it out and thus increase the cylinder temps, you will not easily burn off the extra goodness and will eventually coke up the plugs.

Its really what extra maintenance you are willing to deal with though, it may do just fine. You could try alternating tanks or half and half low grade fuel and avgas.

[slipperymongoose]

Next question probably dumb but I deal with trains not planes. Is there an aircraft spark plug that would fit the gs? Just askin.

[RossLH]

The problem isn't the spark plugs, it's the engine. There's just not enough compression or timing to burn off all the lead. If you have the ignition advance modification, it might help some, but you'll still foul the plugs.

[slipperymongoose]

What about more powerful coils? And skim the head

[RossLH]

Custom high compression pistons and advance the ignition timing. That'd be the easiest, most effective route to take, and still the leaded gas wouldn't have any advantage over 93oct. Again, the problem isn't the ignition circuit. Upgrading that would be a band-aid...it'll briefly cover up the problem, but it isn't at all addressing the root cause.