From the AMA
#1
07-05-2007, 01:38 AM
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From the AMA
==============================================
American Motorcyclist Association News Release
A07011
July 3, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Kresnak
Telephone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1247
E-mail: bkresnak@ama-cycle.org
AMA Concerned About Proposed Increased Ethanol Levels in Gasoline
The American Motorcyclist Association has expressed concern about unanticipated consequences of proposals that might allow gas stations to increase the level of ethanol in the fuel they sell.
Currently, pump gasoline in the United States can contain up to 10 percent ethanol, which is used to increase octane, reduce carbon monoxide emissions and provide an alternative to petroleum-based fuels.
But now, the state of Minnesota is seeking permission from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to allow the sale of fuel that includes 20 percent ethanol. And that has led to concerns about the effects on motorcycle engines, which manufacturers say are only certified to run on fuels containing the current 10 percent blend.
The difference could be significant, since burning ethanol creates more heat than conventional gasoline, which has the potential to damage air-cooled motorcycle engines. In addition, fuel systems on bikes may be susceptible to corrosive effects of higher concentrations of ethanol in gas. And while ethanol helps reduce carbon monoxide levels in engine exhaust, it can also increase the levels of oxides of nitrogen, one of the components of smog.
"The AMA supports the use of cleaner-burning fuels, but we are concerned about premature engine damage or failure while a bike is being ridden on a highway if the allowable level of ethanol is raised to 20 percent," said Imre Szauter, AMA legislative affairs specialist. "We are also concerned about any degradation in performance, fuel economy and rideability that may result from the long-term use of blended fuels with greater than 10 percent ethanol."
The proposal currently under consideration comes from Minnesota, but the AMA notes that an EPA waiver would open the door to the sale of 20 percent ethanol blends across the country, without any evaluation of the long-term consequences. With the limited number of choices at gas stations, that could force out existing blends and leave some riders without a suitable fuel choice for their vehicles.
"Until studies show that a 20 percent ethanol blend won't damage motorcycle or ATV engines, and won't make motorcycles emit more nitrogen oxides than are allowed by the EPA, the AMA can't support the Minnesota proposal," Szauter said.
The AMA is a member of AllSAFE, the Alliance for a Safe Alternative Fuels Environment, a group formed to ensure that new bio-based fuels such as ethanol are promoted in a thoughtful manner. AllSAFE is made up of associations that represent consumer and commercial users of ethanol blends, manufacturers of boats, vehicles, engines and equipment, and retailers who sell gasoline and ethanol-fuel blends.
For more information on ethanol-fuel blends, go to www.allsafe-fuel.org.
American Motorcyclist Association News Release
A07011
July 3, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Kresnak
Telephone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1247
E-mail: bkresnak@ama-cycle.org
AMA Concerned About Proposed Increased Ethanol Levels in Gasoline
The American Motorcyclist Association has expressed concern about unanticipated consequences of proposals that might allow gas stations to increase the level of ethanol in the fuel they sell.
Currently, pump gasoline in the United States can contain up to 10 percent ethanol, which is used to increase octane, reduce carbon monoxide emissions and provide an alternative to petroleum-based fuels.
But now, the state of Minnesota is seeking permission from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to allow the sale of fuel that includes 20 percent ethanol. And that has led to concerns about the effects on motorcycle engines, which manufacturers say are only certified to run on fuels containing the current 10 percent blend.
The difference could be significant, since burning ethanol creates more heat than conventional gasoline, which has the potential to damage air-cooled motorcycle engines. In addition, fuel systems on bikes may be susceptible to corrosive effects of higher concentrations of ethanol in gas. And while ethanol helps reduce carbon monoxide levels in engine exhaust, it can also increase the levels of oxides of nitrogen, one of the components of smog.
"The AMA supports the use of cleaner-burning fuels, but we are concerned about premature engine damage or failure while a bike is being ridden on a highway if the allowable level of ethanol is raised to 20 percent," said Imre Szauter, AMA legislative affairs specialist. "We are also concerned about any degradation in performance, fuel economy and rideability that may result from the long-term use of blended fuels with greater than 10 percent ethanol."
The proposal currently under consideration comes from Minnesota, but the AMA notes that an EPA waiver would open the door to the sale of 20 percent ethanol blends across the country, without any evaluation of the long-term consequences. With the limited number of choices at gas stations, that could force out existing blends and leave some riders without a suitable fuel choice for their vehicles.
"Until studies show that a 20 percent ethanol blend won't damage motorcycle or ATV engines, and won't make motorcycles emit more nitrogen oxides than are allowed by the EPA, the AMA can't support the Minnesota proposal," Szauter said.
The AMA is a member of AllSAFE, the Alliance for a Safe Alternative Fuels Environment, a group formed to ensure that new bio-based fuels such as ethanol are promoted in a thoughtful manner. AllSAFE is made up of associations that represent consumer and commercial users of ethanol blends, manufacturers of boats, vehicles, engines and equipment, and retailers who sell gasoline and ethanol-fuel blends.
For more information on ethanol-fuel blends, go to www.allsafe-fuel.org.
Oh wait, make that about 200 experts...
#2
07-05-2007, 08:09 AM
RE: From the AMA
It is a good thing... for those vehicles designed to run it.
I would have thought your thread would have been followed by some random idea or an offering of help in the situation...
Alas, it just ends with you calling someone else an, "idiot."
Have you wrapped your bike up yet?
I would have thought your thread would have been followed by some random idea or an offering of help in the situation...
Alas, it just ends with you calling someone else an, "idiot."
Have you wrapped your bike up yet?
#3
07-05-2007, 12:53 PM
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RE: From the AMA
ORIGINAL: KidCr3nshaw
It is a good thing... for those vehicles designed to run it.
I would have thought your thread would have been followed by some random idea or an offering of help in the situation...
Alas, it just ends with you calling someone else an, "idiot."
Have you wrapped your bike up yet?
It is a good thing... for those vehicles designed to run it.
I would have thought your thread would have been followed by some random idea or an offering of help in the situation...
Alas, it just ends with you calling someone else an, "idiot."
Have you wrapped your bike up yet?
Solution?
Since I don't run an oil/gas company, nor GM, Honda, what have you, I'm going to do two things.
1. Write my legislators, (the ones who might actually give a crap) and tell them to do what they can to stop this.
(Hey, the recent failure of the Immigration bill was due to people mass mailing, calling their congressmen, so there may be some hope.)
2. Look for something, like an additive that can be made, or maybe already is, that counter-acts the damaging effects of ethanol.
In a sense, like adding oil as a lubricant to gas to run two stroke engines. Two strokes used oil in the gas as part of the lubrication system.
(Same theory in general I believe anyway. I would think..)
Greenpeace and Sierra Club tree huggers put an end to this.
If and when I find something, I'll sell it or make a blog about it...something..
I just find it stupid to stand around and let my bike and old car get eaten away by political BS. Democracy was started for a reason.
#4
07-05-2007, 01:08 PM
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RE: From the AMA
Hmmm...this is gonna take some time. But, people are looking...thinking.
http://www.go60.com/articles/ethanol...stion_kit.html
http://powerboat.about.com/od/mainte...es_ethanol.htm
http://www.pocatelloshops.com/blogs/...php?print=3168
http://www.baileycar.com/gasoline_html.html
http://www.go60.com/articles/ethanol...stion_kit.html
http://powerboat.about.com/od/mainte...es_ethanol.htm
http://www.pocatelloshops.com/blogs/...php?print=3168
http://www.baileycar.com/gasoline_html.html
