Catalytic Control of Two-Stroke Motorcycle Exhaust Emissions

In contrast to motorcycles with 4-stroke engines, 2-stroke engine motorcycles produce very high hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. Compared to a 1976 automobile, such motorcycles produce as much hydrocarbon emissions as ten to twenty passenger cars. Modified automobile catalyst technology with the addition of an air pump is shown to be effective in reducing the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by 75 - 85% after mileage accumulation of 12,000 miles; these tests are in progress and are being continued. In spite of the fact that current 2-stroke engine motorcycles run rich (no excess air) hydrocarbon emissions can be reduced by 35% and higher with aged catalyst systems without the addition of air. The mechanical durability of the catalytic systems is completely satisfactory.

Present data indicate that catalyst system technology has been developed to meet proposed interim EPA emission standards for 2-stroke motorcycle engines. Purification of exhaust emissions for 4-stroke motorcycle engines to ultimately meet more stringent standards will be a much less formidable task than for 2-stroke motorcycle engines.