I'm about to buy a bike for a trip down Africa. Should I get a leaded or unleaded petrol bike? What's fuel availability like? Does it matter- can I run an unleaded on leaded and visa versa? Questions questions! Help much appreciated.

Most modern "leaded" bikes will run on unleaded just fine. The catalytic converter if they have one will be ruined by the lead, so most people either ignore it or replace it with a piece of pipe - available for BMWs in several places.

check the Which Bike forum for more, and also the last few issues of the ezine have had a discussion on the subject for BMW's in the sidebar. You can also just search the site or HUBB for comments - this isn't a new subject, it's a frequent question.

I am moving this post to the Which Bike forum, as it's more appropriate for it.



------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

further to your questions:

unleaded bikes will run fine on leaded, leaded bikes MAY not like unleaded, depends on how old - pre approx 85 can be dodgy, may be serious valve seat recession problems.

Fuel in Africa as in most of the third world is a mix - main cities will have unleaded and leaded, rural probably only leaded.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com