June 20th, 2005
This Motorocycle Isn’t Just Diesel-Powered - It’s Biodiesel-Powered
By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
After all the hoopla over the first Hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle, I started wondering about other alternatives. This weekend, we tracked down the first viable and fast electric superbike, and today, here’s a guy who converted a diesel motorcycle to biodiesel with his own homebrew biodiesel kit. Wild.
Only question: I wonder if he continually craves french fries as he’s riding down the road. biodiesel trucks are like rolling ads for McDonalds, but sitting on a biodiesel bike must make the craving unbearable.
By The Kneeslider
Guest Posting, RealTechNews
When I first started writing about diesel motorcycles it struck me as a bit unusual, I really wasn’t aware of some of the latest advances in adapting diesel engines to a motorcycle frame but of course, the Thunder Star 1200 got me thinking about the possibilities. That bike gets 150mpg and looks like it should get pretty impressive performance to boot. Now there’s biodiesel to think about and it’s coming on strong.
Over the weekend, the TV show, Trucks, ran through the whole process of making biodiesel fuel from a large container of used cooking oil picked up at a local restaurant after which, the host, Stacy David, pumped the homebrew into a diesel pickup and ran it through its paces. The truck performed great, or according to Stacy, even better than on regular diesel.
He had a setup from a company called Freedom Fuel America, which consisted of a couple of plastic containers, some pumps and hoses and a test kit to determine how much lye was necessary to adjust the chemical properties of the used oil. Along with lye, the only other component necessary was methanol, same as used in racing engines.
The process looked very simple and straight forward. A few hours later, he had about 20 gallons of biodiesel at a cost of around 70 cents per gallon for a net savings of about $1.50 per gallon. With your basic 30 gallon truck fuel tank, savings can add up fast. How about with a motorcycle? A 5 gallon tank would yield a savings of $7.50, but with a bike like the Thunder Star getting 150mpg, you would practically be riding free. Think about it.
More from The Kneeslider Thanks to RealTechNews reader “Clint”, for posting the link to this great site.
SomeDumbGuy says:
Savings? After riding around on a bike that smells like french fries, any money saved would be blown at a fast-food joint.
June 20th, 2005 at 11:19 am
Howard Whitlock says:
That’s the second dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. Number one goes to Nikes computerizes tennis shoe.
June 20th, 2005 at 12:31 pm
NIF says:
http://trejrc0.blogspot.com/2005/06/accountant-of-
Today’s dose of NIF - News, Interesting & Funny … Ugh, Monday
June 20th, 2005 at 1:35 pm
GeorgeF says:
I wonder if you would save anything if you accounted for fuel taxes and farm subsidies?
June 20th, 2005 at 2:09 pm
Julian Bond says:
You need one of these. http://www.motorbikestoday.com/features/Articles/diesel_bikes.htm
post-apocalyptic, military, diesel version of a Kawasaki KLR650. We just need to persuade them to make civilian versions. But keep the olive green drab camo.
June 20th, 2005 at 2:11 pm
GeorgeF says:
Speaking of saving money with fuel taxes and farm subsidies, I just remembered I got a goat I need to give a good seeing to. I best put on my batman cape and find my rubber chicken with nipple clamps.
June 20th, 2005 at 5:15 pm
Mikey says:
http://www.peace65.freeserve.co.uk/Pictures/royalenfield.htm
dont laugh, I’d ride one of these in a heartbeat!!
June 21st, 2005 at 7:38 am
kieron williams says:
wara mong
October 21st, 2005 at 5:27 am
gas motor scooter says:
gas motor scooter gas motor scooter
July 26th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
bridal shoe says:
bridal shoe bridal shoe
August 1st, 2006 at 1:02 am
bridal shoe says:
bridal shoe bridal shoe
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:44 pm
joe says:
If you dont buy fuel at a station and pay taxes you must send in your tax money to the gov if you want to operate a vehicle on us roads, or face fines. thats the law! be careful when you make your own fuel! pay your taxes or pay stiff fines. any trucker can tell you about this
August 28th, 2007 at 8:58 am
Boris says:
Look Natasia: Is sqirrell and moose!
October 5th, 2007 at 12:39 am
mama says:
Pay taxes for making your own fuel? How the heck would the govt know if your making fuel for your motorcycle. Go for it! I’d ride that thing for sure. And howard whitcock… wake up.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:43 pm