Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: manxie on April 05, 2020, 04:32:58 PM
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Hi folks, this goes out to all you knowledgeable guys.
2 star petrol? I remember it along with 4 star, but was 2 star pretty much lead free or was it purely down to octane levels? I`ve googled it but can really find an answer.
Thanks, Steve.
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Excellent question Steve. Unfortunately I don’t know the answer, sorry
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Octane only. Two star was leaded.
The we had three star, four star and even five star. All octane based.
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Getting diesel was a bit more difficult mind.
Five star was for high compression exotic stuff.
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Yes I remember 5 star. Was only a nipper back then mind 🤣🤣😉
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Thanks guys. :) :) :)
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Anyone else remember the 2 stroke oil dispensers they had at every garage? When all the mopeds were pre-mix you had to set the scale on the pump to the disired ratio - 25-1, 32-1, 50-1 or whatever and added one pump of the handle per gallon of petrol - 20p per shot.
Probably worth a bit now.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/4dNkuqKXkwFqYXzyJOTk4x7XxoxPjdYaR7rDoBOYdQ9dhcqLs04sj3-Hae5c0dnc5UsvHUdRxDHf8TdjRhKqVjecYPXTfWCbs-XD9XLBDolS47n0-1BFOw3JraOCGrEK9sjOWPBUmGhy2w)
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2 star was for Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas, Kawasakis, chainsaws, Bantams, Ford Pop's, Anglebox's, Vauxhall Viva's, Hillman Minx, Minis, etc and had a higher octane than the cr*p we stick in the tank today, 92 octane I believe.
4 star was for Ford Zodiacs, Vauxhall XV 490, Sunbeam Alpine, MGB GT, Duke singles, and moderate compression ratio (10:1) engines.
5 star was for anything that had been 'tuned', was raced, or had a higher compression ratio, Morini Heron heads, 'E' types, Porsche, etc.
Even when 5 star was available, AVGAS was still the preferred fuel for many racers, with an octane of 105, if I remember correctly. :-\
As for "...all the mopeds were pre-mix you had to set the scale on the pump to the disired ratio - 25-1, 32-1, 50-1 or whatever and added one pump of the handle per gallon of petrol - 20p per shot." The 20p a shot seems expensive, as 2 star in the late 60's early '70's was only 5/- to 6/- (25p - 30p) a gallon and you could go a long way and have some left over for a fag if you were on a Bantam D1. I seem to remember 1/- or 5p a shot!
Until Suzuki came along with their 'Pozi Force' or 'CCI' lubrication system, all two strokes used these 2 stroke oil dispensers or their owners carried a bottle of 2 stroke oil in a plastic bag, with a 'measure' to add the viscous oil when refuelling, or just "tip a bit more in". The result a whiskered plug, roadside strip and clean, with a brass suede brush and feeler guages to adjust, before setting off again. The alternative was the plug blaster, favoured by car garages of the time. Operated by compressed air and with grit that wore the hell out of the plug! :o MZ were the exception, with the neatly engineered measure in the petrol filler cap.
Pass the Stradivarious!!!!!! ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
LaLa, Bill
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I can remember a three sadly, but only when I was knee high to a grasshopper.
2 star was a low octane fuel suitable for most normal vehicle engines.
4 star was higher octane, equivalent to 'Super Unleaded' and 5 star was higher still. My Dad had a Triumph 1300TC which pinked like mad on 4 star!
I often regretted the passing of 2T premix dispensers as they had disappeared by the time I was old enough to be riding MZ's.
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Some great information fellas, thanks. The reason for my question is I have a 1978 VW Passat that I`m trying to find out if it`s safe to run on unleaded (without additive) I have a 1978 magazine with a road test for the car which states it`s set up to run on 2 star.
The ONE previous owner who bought it brand new in 78 was very meticulous with it`s maintenance in his 42yr ownership. He put together everything you would need to work on the car in a box in the boot. Tools, plugs, fan belt, torch (with spare battery) even a roll of the tracing paper loo role most of us remember so well from our school days, I don't know if this was to wipe your hands on or if he got caught short :D Anyway, there was no additive there so I`m guessing it doesn`t. :-\ ;)
Yes, bring back 2 stokes ;D ;D 8)
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I had a 1971 Morris 1300GT. It used to "pink" even on 5 star fuel. Was lovely and comfortable though.
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Some great information fellas, thanks. The reason for my question is I have a 1978 VW Passat that I`m trying to find out if it`s safe to run on unleaded (without additive) I have a 1978 magazine with a road test for the car which states it`s set up to run on 2 star.
The ONE previous owner who bought it brand new in 78 was very meticulous with it`s maintenance in his 42yr ownership. He put together everything you would need to work on the car in a box in the boot. Tools, plugs, fan belt, torch (with spare battery) even a roll of the tracing paper loo role most of us remember so well from our school days, I don't know if this was to wipe your hands on or if he got caught short :D Anyway, there was no additive there so I`m guessing it doesn`t. :-\ ;)
Yes, bring back 2 stokes ;D ;D 8)
If the car has previously run on leaded petrol before being laid up it would be ok to run on unleaded petrol. The lead in the petrol would have coated the valve seats which by the way would have a memory off sorts and would be ingrained into the seats. To run on unleaded fuel would not harm for quite a few thousand miles. It will of course depend on the seats in the head [if OHV]
On the 2 stoke theme most had a measuring cup under the tank cap for measuring the amount of oil required.
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If it has a cast iron head it may suffer if it's thrashed. Alloy heads have valve seat inserts and most of these are quite happy with unleaded. I spent a fortune unnecessarily having my Commando converted - later I was running a Triumph Stag as a daily driver (foolish or what) and closely monitored the valve clearances for 5,000 miles running on unleaded. They didn't move at all. I did however have a mountain of other problems. Lovely car but drove me berserk sometimes.
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Thanks again fellas. I too have recently been told if the car has an alloy head it`s fine to run on unleaded. I`m now researching if it has or not? I cant physically check the car as it`s 5 miles away in "winter storage" and we`re in lockdown. :( Google, here I come …...