The Hindu : Chitradurga mechanic adapts LPG kit to run motorcycle

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 17, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Chitradurga mechanic adapts LPG kit to run motorcycle

By Raviprasad Kamila

CHITRADURGA MAY 16. A 36-year-old two-wheeler mechanic in Chitradurga has successfully adapted his motorcycle to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). J.R. Veerabhadrappa says he covered 120 km. on his motorcycle using a kg. of LPG without any problem.

Mr. Veerabhadrappa is not an automobile engineering graduate. He repairs two-wheelers on Holalkere Road here. The only formal training he had undergone was in 1986 at a two-wheeler manufacturing factory at Ludhiana in Punjab.

He told The Hindu that in 1992 he tried to start his motorcycle using LPG and was successful. "I used to keep the LPG cylinder about 20 ft. away from the motorcycle fearing that it might explode." As he did not know how to control the flow of gas into the engine, he stopped his experiment.

When gas kits appeared in the market for four-wheelers, Mr. Veerabhadrappa thought of using the same technology to run two-wheelers. He bought a gas kit six months ago and fixed it successfully to his motorcycle after some modifications.

Mr. Veerabhadrappa says that after fixing an LPG cylinder (five kg. or two kg. cylinder) to his motorcycle and connecting it to the modified gas kit, he was able to cover 120 km. per kg. of LPG.

He says the condition of his vehicle remained the same with no change in the engine sound and it emitted no smoke. One can ride a motorcycle smoothly by fixing a gas kit. The use of LPG to run a two-wheeler will help prevent air pollution. Since the Government has not given permission, he cannot use LPG to run his motorcycle, he adds.

Mr. Veerabhadrappa says that he has worked on aspects of safety and it is safe to use LPG cylinders to run motorcycles. The Government should permit the use of LPG to run two-wheelers also.

Mr. Veerabhadrappa, who demonstrated the use of LPG in his motorcycle, says that a modified gas kit and a five kg. cylinder will cost about Rs. 5,000. Instead of fixing a cylinder to the motorcycle, the petrol tank of the vehicle can be altered to store LPG. Mr. Veerabhadrappa wants his "discovery" to be patented, for which he has to approach the authorities concerned in Chennai.

He can be contacted on ph: 94482-33679 for more details.

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