Motorized Bicycles Pass Emissions!

Posted by BikerBill at 7/16/2008 11:14 AM
Categories: uncategorized
I came across another entry in a blog the other day and I definately had to share this with you.


This is the posting that was in the Spooky Tooth Blog ...


July 22nd, 2007
by The Spooky Tooth Crew

 

It seems that people these days are becoming more and more concerned about the environment, including the emissions put out by… bicycles?

 
Sound funny? Well it should.

 
Gas powered bicycles have been coming under scrutiny from "environmentalists" and certain bicycle groups in Tucson for air pollution concerns. Which is why Spooky Tooth Cycles decided to settle the matter once and for all.
 
With $12.25 in hand, Spooky Tooth Cycles went to the Motor Vehicle Division Emission Testing Facility to see if a 48cc motorized bicycle would pass Arizona emissions standards.
 

 'The Dead President', owned by Ruben Moreno, was used at the facility.
Thank you Ruben for the use of your bike.

Testing Bike

Testing the bike (Click on image to enlarge)

 

 

 

 Ya, they actually tested a bicycle! The inspector read the serial number located under the bottom bracket… make: Spooky Tooth, model year: 2006. The bike was started, hose in the tail pipe, engine purring and… PASS!
 
 
 

Bike Passes Test

Bike passes test (Click on image to enlarge)

 

 

 

'The Dead President' easily passed Arizona Department of Environmental Quality standards for Idle Test Pollutants hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide.

test results showed that pollutants fell within midrange for motor vehicles in Arizona on both Hydrocarbons and Carbon Monoxide.

The Hydrocarbon reading in parts per million measured 7610 with a limit of 18000.

Carbon Monoxide percentage showed 3.41% within the limits of 5%.

These are remarkable findings in direct contradiction to what many opponents of 2-cycle engines have been claiming.

Anecdotal stories do not tell the tale as much as measurable facts. Given that the small displacement 48cc engine breathes with such tiny gasps of respiration, these results are even more astounding when you consider that the strict motor vehicle emission standards are measured in ratios and percentages.  7,610 ppm HC and 3.41% CO mean so much more in this case than do the same results on a gas guzzling 8 cylinder SUV.

The bike used a standard gas/oil mix of 20:1, stock spark plug, and a standard idle of 1,200 rpm. Results could have been enhanced by running straight gas, a hotter spark plug and a higher idle.

 

Arizona Vehicle Inspection Report

 

Arizona Vehicle Inspection Report (Click on image to enlarge)

In the end, we just wanted to really get the facts straight. 

 


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  • 7/21/2008 7:53 PM Bob wrote:
    Wow. I had no idea those two strokes would pass emissions!

    Do those things actually get 150 MPG?

    I'm going to ASU, and I was thinking of getting one of these for the commute. I am a little sceptical of the 150 MPG though.

    Any comments?

    Thanks,
    Bob
    Reply to this
    1. 7/22/2008 10:49 PM BikerBill wrote:
      Bob,

      Yes, "those 2-strokes" actually pass emissions. And yes, those things actually do get about 150 MPG. Of course that depends on how much you pedal, your weight, terrain, up-hill, down-hill, wind, lenth of hair, (just kidding with the hair), etc...

      A motorized bicycle for the commute to and from ASU would be perfect. Not only would you save in gas, but you won't need to buy a parking pass either.

      BikerBill
      Reply to this
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