Quote:
Originally Posted by
boniyam
oops, i'm a newbie with a new tenere, planning to cross afrika.
What are 'catalyst free cans'?
|
Without getting too technical (not for your sake, mine
) a catalyst is kind of a particle filter that is inserted into the cans/exhaust of all modern vehicles. This has no relevance to its performance, but is only to minimize particle polution from the exhaust. The catalyst is designed to operate on un-leaded fuel. Apparently, the exhaust from leaded fuel consumption is so hot that the catalyst will take permanent and irreversible damage from heat exposure. Also, the filter may clog up due to the lead particel exposure, and thus clog up the entire system. And ultimately stop the bike in its tracks.
The catalyst/particle filter is standard in all modern cars/bikes. But you can buy cans of the shelf, that have no catalyst. Catalyst free cans. You cannot from just looking at it, determine that it is a catalyst free can. You'll need an exhaust/gas test to do that. But you will violating enviromental standards. I doubt the earths enviromental problems will increase significantly if you as a single person decide to use catalyst free cans
.
Torsten