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24 Jan 2008
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South Africa
Posts: 56
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Low octane fuel in Africa
Well there are so many places I thought this thread should be, but non of them correct, so here goes.
Do people know of any online resource that rates fuel in different countries in Africa? On average, obviously, so not to include bush fuel.
I'm trying to get an idea of where I would need to switch the CDI on my bike for lower octane.
Or is there some magical device that can be used to test on-route?
Thanks
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24 Jan 2008
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ripley, Derbyshire
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Hi,
It might help if you either stated your bike in the post or in your profile, Google is your friend I just looked up exactly what you asked and found it, why not try it yourself?
And it's not so much the low octane gas, it's the crud that gets in your fuel eg. water rust debris from the crap road side gas stations, do yourself a favour and Google Mr. Funnel
Easy when you try.
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24 Jan 2008
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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Sheesh
Alright alright easy mr.juddadredd, sorry for asking such a cretinous question
I've researched the topic extensively from google for the octane question and on advrider.com for bike related info (KTM 640 Adventure).
I was just throwing the octane question out there to see how others coped with judging when to flick the CDI switch for lower octane, nothing to do with dirty fuel.
Thanks for the Mr.Funnel thing but I think I've got that covered already with an in-line fuel filter.
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24 Jan 2008
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ripley, Derbyshire
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Hi ya, I wasn't being funny just stating facts now if you had said I've been looking and found a few things but need some help, then I'd have pointed you to the Africa Fuel Prices/Quality threads but you didn't so I won't.
 google the above as I'm too tired to as got the FLU and you will find it.
I guess you don't research much because you really think the inline is going to be the be all and end all for filtering your fuel, they really do get clogged up as most of the crud gets caught at the entrance thus cutting of the fuel to a trackle, then when people change them they forget that the contaminates that couldn't get through the blockage are still in the fuel line. And then they say well I changed the Filter so it can't be that, just trying to save you some hassle while your on the road.
You can read some of the posts on here as the majority of the badly running bikes aren't because of the low octane it's because of the crud and water. But hey don't take my word for it, find out the hard way.
PM Chris of Motocross Africa and see why he bought the Funnel, then it's not just my personal view, I think his met lots of bad fuel so far, he also keeps a list of fuel stations so you might want to checkout his site.
You shouldn't need to change any CDI settings as long as your below 5000 meters (or it could be feet but I think it's meters) unless you get that pinging sound, in which case switch over then.
Like I said not being funny just feel I'll and it comes across in my writing, ride safe.
Lee
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24 Jan 2008
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
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I've said it before and Ill say it again. Ladies tights are the answer (not fishnets), available everywhere and cheap.
Lee's spot on about the fuel lines, flush the line when you change the filter.
Low octane shouldn't be a problem, low octane petrol vapour and air is still an explosive mixture! Same as a weak spark is all you need to run, doesn't need to be good just enough to ignite petrol vapour which is easily done
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24 Jan 2008
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone.
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Crap Fuel.
In my experience, play with your CDI thingy once you leave Morocco and until you arrive in South Africa, with the possible exception of Nigeria. Everywhere else my Kawasaki ran like a dog, noticeably down on power and pinging at low RPMs. In line fuel filter cleaned at regular intervals, made no difference. Forget about those power wheelies until you get back to Europe.
Cam J.
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