Any experts have thoughts on Emissions Control features

Don't want to sound like a tree-hugging sissyboy, but was just wondering if there are any things that can be easily done to improve my air quality.

I ride a lot, and probably make Denver's brown cloud a little darker.

My wife has driven behind me and says I stink. Although now I am not sure if she meant my exhaust?

Stinking to the other drivers I don't mind, but if it would improve my fuel efficiency, I wouldn't complain either

 

I would think, the obvious first step is to check how your plugs look.

 

Buy a 250

 

and check float levels; could be you're "dumping" fuel.

 

might want to ask around some shops out there, your up there pretty far, you might want a smaller main jet.
you have me by almost 4000 feet, that's got to do something

 

What they said; running rich = pollution. Running a bit lean reduces tailpip hydrocarbons and actually gets better MPG, but obviously you don't want to go to far. It also can increase NOx emissions.

There's also the outside possibility of burning some oil, which you obviously want to avoid.


If you do a lot of highway miles, you could look at ways of reducing wind drag. Making the same speed at the same RPM with less throttle means less emissions (just plain less gas, plus maybe a leaner burn). A good fairing would be step one- the kind that you use for racing, not the kind you use for touring. Keep your tires properly inflated, etc etc.

Really though, a well tuned bike is a bike is the best step to minimizing emissions. All the same stuff that lets you go fast is the stuff that makes your machine an efficient user of fuel. And the XJ's aren't near as bad as some older bikes, though they aren't as good as the new fuel injected, cat converted ones.

 

Convert your Bike to run on Propane or Natural Gas.
Sell the XJ.
Buy a late-model Fuel-Injected machine.

 

+1 on the 'get it tuned to run as efficiently as you can' comments.
-1 on the snarky 'get a different bike' comments.

Motorcycles of our vintage put out a LOT more carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen on a per-mile basis than modern vehicles do, mainly due to the lack of a catalytic converter. Tuning can make it 'as good as new' but that's still not very good by modern standards.

Of course, to some people that's a badge of honor - they equate 'less pollution' with 'reduced power' and 'big government nanny state'. I don't think you have to be a "tree-hugging sissyboy" to wonder if you can use modern technology to improve your emissions. Most of us are happy to use newer technology to improve our suspension, lighting, battery, electronics, etc. so I see nothing wrong with trying to improve on the factory pollution control (or lack thereof).

I did a bit of Googling to see if I could find an answer out there, but surprisingly there was nothing. Lots of discussion about removing catalytic converters from modern bikes in a (questionable) quest for more power, but nothing at all about adding one to an older bike. I know it is commonly done in the hot rod car world and flow restriction and tuning issues are minimal.

So, I respect your question but don't have a definitive answer for it. In theory you should be able to take a catalytic converter from a newer bike and put it into your exhaust system, but it would require some fabrication. It shouldn't have much effect on tuning but I can't say that for certain because I haven't done it. Modern catalytic converters do not restrict flow very much.

Hope someone out there has a better answer than this...

 

Well, ...

I doubt installing a Cat-converter would be on the short-list of Environmentally-friendly Mods considered for Greening-up an 80's era XJ-Bike.

If you ain't motoring down the boulevard with exhaust smoke billowing out the pipes causing problems for traffic following you, ... you should be good-to-go.

Although, I think most (not all) States have no requirement, or greatly reduced standards, for Cars and Bikes made before 1988.

But we all know one, sure-fire Mod that will get old Betsy to run leaner than she's running stock.

Pods!

 

Even if you've got your bike tuned 100% awesome, with no cat conv, you're going to smell.

 

Not noticeably so, to someone behind you in a car or even on a bike. If there's enough "stink" to be noticeable something is afoot.

 

Thanks for all the input. I actually have been fairly diligent on tuning efforts for the past two years since I got the bike.

As far as fuel efficiency, I get 50 mpg, and thats commuting to work daily in traffic. I cleaned carbs last year, need to address the floats again. It was hurried the first time. Valves are in spec as of two months ago.

I may have to top oil an ounce or two during a 2500 mile stretch between changes.

Plugs at last look two months ago are all paper bag tan. Actually she runs like a banshee, and starts and warms up well. Really have no complaints.

The stink I believe is subtle and just my wife commenting that I don't smell like the minivans, subarus and previas that are usually in front of her.

I think even a well-tuned 69 camero will have an odor.

The thought of blowing out contaminants without an EGR/Cat/etc. was what sparked the post. Just wondered if anyone played around with anti-pollution enhancements.

I will check several of the suggestions, though, but Rick, the mention of pods scares the shizzle out of me. Too many disturbing posts about it.

 

Polock, I've already read several posts that mention a mile high is not enough to need different jets.

Anyone else think I should look at jet size? They are stock right now.

 

http://www.jetsrus.com/FAQs/FAQ_rejet_e ... rature.htm
keep in mind that Mukini jet sizes have nothing to do with Hitachi sizes, their measured differently.
i had a KZ 550 that had some sort of PVC setup on it and my SV 1000s has one too but that might make the exhaust stink worse ?
the jets would cost about 15$ to find out.
or run E85, maybe put some Eau de toilette in the gas

 

Modern 3-way cat-cons REQUIRE the fuel injected engine to not just stay at a 14.7:1 air/fuel ratio, but to rock back and forth across that ideal ratio, a little leaner, then a tad richer, to keep the converter burning clean.

Obviously, burning ANY fuel in the converter is wasted gas, but the XJ series bikes can't survive running 17.5:1 . . .the ratio where power and efficiency begin to taper off.

Header wrap would help complete combustion in the exhaust.

 

My bike smells when I use Regular plus Ethanol.
The sticker says 10% ... I'm skeptical.

When I get gas in the Summer at stations near Highway's; using Regular causes Detonation issues.

I run High-test Shell from the Station close to my place most of the time.

I squirt Marvel Mystery Oil in the tank if I'm long-riding.

 

Thanks Polock. I'll check that out. Next time I open carbs, I don't mind popping in a different size main jet for a spell. Good experiment to post about on here.

Rick, although CO doesn't mandate the e10 stuff, 99% of the stations have a small percentage of ethanol, like 2-10% I guess. I use shell V-power on every tank. A few cents more to compensate for the ethanol is worth it.

I'm sure there is more smell from my exhaust with that that with a new car with major emissions systems.

I plan to take a week off from riding in July to do some mid-summer maint. I'll also add some MMO and see what my wife says next time she follows me somewhere. Thanks for the suggestion.