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!
MZ were the exception, with the neatly engineered measure in the petrol filler cap.
Pass the Stradivarious!!!!!!
LaLa, Bill
