Alcoholic K5

[Rotorised]

Hey guys is anyone here running an alcoholic 500?  I have just removed my head and would like to explore my options befor altering sqwish angle and head volume. I will hopefully be running a lectron 44mm, any specs would be much appreciated  . Are there any problems assosiated with running alcohol, I have read that it would use metho at 2-3times the rate of normal fuel?

[stewart]

i spent weeks dyno testing my 44 lectron on achol  and found i could make as much or a little better power and same tourqe on oxgenated vp race gas

[Rotorised]

That was my first choice, but after looking at a few fuel prices i found the vp race gas at about $5 a liter and methanol at about $1 a liter. In Australia anyway, If anyone knows of any cheaper prices in Perth it would be much appreciated

[stewart]

it takes about 2.4 times as much alky so that raises the price per mile

[alan]

Back in the 70's I ran my Montessa Capra 250 on pure Alcohol and caster bean oil. The bike smelled like a model airplane. I drill out the pilot jet to 3/16 and removed the main jet all together. I would just barely make one heat on 2 1/4 gal.  It ran cool and produced so much power, that on the starting line it would bottom out the rear shocks just revving it up. Back then we ran 250 and open in the same heats and would beat everyone to the first corner by 8 to 10 bike lengths.  I had a lot of nasty comments in the pits when I rode my model airplane by! He He!

Alan

[Hillclimb#42]

 Be Prepared to rebuild often, but smells killer.

[Hillclimb#42]

 Ever run VP Fuel thats oxidized? Everyone I race against runs the stuff and it smells nice and aparrently works well. You even catch wiffs of it like 2 hours after the race. MMMMMMMMM!!!! Is that alcohol?

[Hillclimb#42]

 Talked to a buddy, who is former pro, and he says Methanol is what you want. You need to use exactly 40% more fuel. So whatever it takes to jet out 40% bigger than you are now. Also, interesting factoid: Alcohol or, I guess Methanol draws moisture. It will draw moisture in and then the fuel evaporates, leaving you with water in the crank. Obvious problems, there if you leave it. They drained tanks, put pump gas mixture back in, ran it for a few minutes and then shut them off for next race. He said that when doing that they ran like crap, because they were jetted for Methanol.

[Rotorised]

Cheers for the helpful info guys, a few more questions: If i buy a 44gallon drum of methanol will i have any problems with it going off or absorbing moisture over a few months? Also what sort of rebuild intervals would I be looking at?

[YUNGGUNNAZ]

if you decide to go the alky route call packard racing and have him set you up with his 44mm hv carb with the adjustable power jet.he'll give you a starting point(usually 2.48mm i believe).opinions vary on how often to purge system.just pull down a banshee on alky thats run just 5 races,purging after each.cases look like tarnish from alky and moisture.use either maxima 927 or klotz super technicplate.NOT R-50!!just my 2 cents of thought.

[Rotorised]

Well I usually run Motul 800, I've never actually seen maxima or klotz for sale in Australia. We can get the belrays and Fuchs/Silkolene though.

[Hillclimb#42]

 Turns out That I was confusing nitro-methane stories with methanol. Nitro-methane acts like liquid sand paper to cylinder and piston. So I guess you won't be rebuilding as often as I thought. The fuel in drum will be fine as long as it is sealed tight. He brought up the point that there's no telling how long it had already been in the drum. You get problems after it is able to evaporate. I'm kinda the middle man here, not the expert, and I'd have him on here directly except he rides Hondas.
  He also pointed out that VP fuel is just really high octane pump gas.

[don46]

  He also pointed out that VP fuel is just really high octane pump gas.

I would say your friend has not run VP fuels, they are not just high octane pump gas, go to the VP website and read up on the fuels. If you've ever run U2, U4, or CMG you wouldn't think they are high octane pump gas. Octane works well for detonation, consequently you can build a higher compression motor with no detonation, the fuel doesn't make more horsepower its the motor modifications. On the other hand the new fuels don't have high octane numbers, but are oxygenated and DO produce more horsepower.

[stewart]

vp is more than high octane pump gas

[redlined_KX500]

I've run methanol in AMA Superbikes with no problems once jetted.  I mixed my fuel 80%methanol, 20% tolulene and 2oz marvel mystery oil per gallon. Bike ran marginal on cloudy cool days but, hot/humid 85 plus weather look out.

Have not run U2 in my K5 but, VP C12 is off the hook once jetted for it.

Good luck