New to forum...where should I start???

[Lumbee]

Greetings all, I've been a motorcycle fanatic for some time now (old Honda CB750's) and am researching the idea of converting one of my bikes to run on alcohol. From what I can tell I would only need to rejet, and possibley worry about the rubber carb seals deteriorating. So I guess my question is where should I start by making the fuel? Whats the cheapest/easiest way to start making fuel, and what should I use...corn, potatoes, grass??? Any/all comments welcome...

[MyDBear]

Yer first question was (where do i start)
Ya start right here.
Yer second question was (what is the cheapest/easiest way to start making fuel)
A plain sugar wash, I think would be the cheapest/easiest.
I would also contact the manufacture of yer bike and see if they have a converion kit for yer carburetor.

[Lumbee]

...thanx bear, my is was built in 1978, so i'd be doing all the converting myself. i'v rejetted before, so i could experiment until i found the right air/fuel mix...

[TEC]

Lumbee,

More than just re-jetting your carb is necessary. You need to make sure your fuel system will not dissolve. Increasing the compression ratio of the engine will make a world of difference as ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline. You will be looking at around 13:1 ratio for top performance.

[Lumbee]

You need to make sure your fuel system will not dissolve.

The only points I can see here is the fuel petcock in the gas tank, and any rubber seals in the carb float bowls. Is this what you mean?

Increasing the compression ratio of the engine will make a world of difference as ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline. You will be looking at around 13:1 ratio for top performance.

The stock comp. ratio on the bike is 9:1. Would this be a show stopper or just a matter of perfomance. Would I still have success running alcohol with the stock 9:1 ratio?

[TEC]

You can run it at that compression ratio, but then you might be better off running a blended fuel.