Motorcycle Repair: triumph 5ta twin speed, exact ratios, speed twin

Question
I have a Triumph speed twin 5ta 1966 that has been garaged for some years.  I think the bike is ready to go although I have a problem with what fuel to use.  Should I use unleaded and add an additive or just unleaded.  I look forward to hearing from you

Answer
James
Whatever answer I give you will probably generate a lot of controversy, but I'm a courageous kind of guy. In the comming months the whole country will find out how courageous I am.

I think your bike will run just fine on high octane unleaded gas if you tune carefully. Pay close attention to what you are doing and maybe retard the timing just a hair from the original specs. Check your spark plugs regularly. They will tell the tale. If the valves have been replaced in recent years, the old horror stories should not mean much to the new alloy compounds from which they are manufactured these days.

Conversely, you could use an additive, but this must be mixed carefully and consistantly. You can't just fill up at the pump and dump a little in. That may do more harm than good. Mix the fuel in cans using accurate measuring cups or graduated beakers and keep notes. You will also have to check your plugs on a regular basis until you have the exact ratios nailed down. I'm not sure if this is worth the trouble.

John