We used to put "Heet" in the gas tank to prevent gasline freezing. Different kind of alcohol, though, and I don't believe our cars had any plastic in them 40 some years ago. No one rode a motorcycle when it was that cold, but we always found water in the float bowl when we pulled apart a carb.
Back on topic, I religiously use StarTron in the tank of my Dorsoduro. There are too many stories of people taking off the tank and not being able to get them back on due to swelling. I don't know if its 100% caused by ethanol or if there are issues with improperly vented tanks due to the evap canisters (mine is gone).