I did some quick research on the motorized bicycle ban in Australia (yes there is one) and I found out these facts:
1-The ban was initiated by environmentalists on the Western part of OZ to stop noise and pollution from two stroke engines on bicycles.
2-Specifically, the ban list all 2-stroke and petrol (gas) engines.
3-It does NOT mention Propane powered motorized bicycles
I know that California has some of the worlds most critical air quality standards and the rest of the U.S. usually eventually meets these. I know that any automobile that runs exclusively on propane is exempt from emission standards as propane is virtually clean burning. So clean in fact that fork lifts with internal combustion engines are operable indoors. I believe that if a four stroke engine is converted to propane fuel it would be the loop hole that our OZ friends need to enjoy motor bicycling again.
Here are some links about propane powered formerly gas powered engines.
http://www.sparkbangbuzz.com/els/pplmwr-el.htm
http://theepicenter.com/tow102899.html
The first link is just an experiment to show that it works on a lawn mower. The second link shows what needs to be done to a carburetor to make it work on propane. Needless to say, the propane conversion would need to be on a four stroke engine as it self lubricates from the bottom end oil supply.
I think this is feasible. I would like a confirmation on the legal aspects of this being a work around OZ motorbike bans.
-Cobrafreak
1-The ban was initiated by environmentalists on the Western part of OZ to stop noise and pollution from two stroke engines on bicycles.
2-Specifically, the ban list all 2-stroke and petrol (gas) engines.
3-It does NOT mention Propane powered motorized bicycles
I know that California has some of the worlds most critical air quality standards and the rest of the U.S. usually eventually meets these. I know that any automobile that runs exclusively on propane is exempt from emission standards as propane is virtually clean burning. So clean in fact that fork lifts with internal combustion engines are operable indoors. I believe that if a four stroke engine is converted to propane fuel it would be the loop hole that our OZ friends need to enjoy motor bicycling again.
Here are some links about propane powered formerly gas powered engines.
http://www.sparkbangbuzz.com/els/pplmwr-el.htm
http://theepicenter.com/tow102899.html
The first link is just an experiment to show that it works on a lawn mower. The second link shows what needs to be done to a carburetor to make it work on propane. Needless to say, the propane conversion would need to be on a four stroke engine as it self lubricates from the bottom end oil supply.
I think this is feasible. I would like a confirmation on the legal aspects of this being a work around OZ motorbike bans.
-Cobrafreak
