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Conference kaosws::canada

Title:True North Strong & Free
Notice:Introduction in Note 535, For Sale/Wanted in 524
Moderator:POLAR::RICHARDSON
Created:Fri Jun 19 1987
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1040
Total number of notes:13668

893.0. ""leaded vs unleaded"" by PLAYER::FOLIE () Fri Feb 10 1995 14:54

Hello,

My name is Claire Folie and I work for Digital Belgium as Development
specialist in the IM&T - DC services.
We have spent, my friend and myself, 7 short days in Quebec during the
last week of January and we enjoyed our too short holidays.
We think seriously to spend more longer time in Quebec in the future.

We noticed that in Quebec, there is no "leaded benzine" available,
as we still have here in Europe.

My friend has a moto model "transalp" - XLV600 (600cc, 2cyl.) of course
using "leaded benzine". 

We would like to know how to use the moto in Quebec.
So, I have some questions:

1. Does this model exists in Canada and what can be its price?
2. Are all the motos saled in Canada equiped and manufactured specially
   for Canada and US?
3. If 2 is correct, does anyone knows what kind of special equipment
   is builded in?
4. If 2 is not correct, is it possible to use "unleaded benzine" with
   something like special 'additives' for our european motos?

Thanks a lot in advance for any help.

Claire. 



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893.1TROOA::SOLEYFall down, go boomFri Feb 10 1995 15:098
    I assume that what you are calling "benzine" we call gasoline and the
    Brits call petrol. North American gasoline has not been available with
    lead for a few years, other additives are used instead to boost the
    octane. 
    
    It's probably possible to bring your motorbike over for a visit but the
    red tape and paperwork you would have to do would make it not
    wothwhile.
893.2KAFS31::LACAILLEHalf-filled bottles of inspirationSun Feb 12 1995 19:069
	Lead has nothing to do with octane, but rather and old and dangerous
	way to provide lubrication for valves in a 4-stroke motor.

	I beleive our unleaded fuels have other additive to provide this
	lubrication...if not, these additive are available at automobile
	part stores.

	Charlie
893.3Don't get the one that goes ping...POLAR::ROBINSONPLiv'er on the edgeMon Feb 13 1995 10:1412
    
    Au contraire, tetraethyl lead compounds have a lot to do with
    anti-knock in 4-stroke engines, retarding the combustion process
    just like increasing the octane rating does. As stated, additives
    are readily available to add to no-lead gas. Your bike will need
    this to protect the combustion chamber, piston and valves from
    the heat buildup associated with pinging or knocking.
    
    It's probably cheaper to buy a bike here and sell it back to the
    dealer when your holiday is over.
    
    Pat R.
893.4What would be the price for a new one?PLAYER::FOLIEMon Feb 13 1995 12:2726
Hello,

Thanks to everybody for the informations. 
As I said, we think to spend more.... time in Quebec, meaning, we are half
way to be accepted by the Quebec immigration, so we want to know how
to decide if we keep our european motorbike and be able to use it, or if
we sale it here and buy a new one in Quebec.

Just to be able to compare the prices of a new motorbike, the one we have,
a Honda Transalp costs here in Belgium without taxes +/- 11.000 $ Can.
Any idea about the price in Canada?

To that amount, we need to add in Belgium 
1. 19 % of VAT (Value Added Taxes) on the value of the bike - when you buy it.
2. +/- 110 $ Can to get the official plate
3. +/- 110 $ Can each year to get authorized to ride! (something we call
"circulation tax".
4. to pay each year the insurances.... which are more expensives here than
in Quebec, something like twice the price. 

Re .1 What do you mean with "red tape and paperwork?".


Thanks for your help,

Claire.
893.5Around 7K$POLAR::ROBINSONPLiv'er on the edgeMon Feb 13 1995 13:267
    
    
    About $7000 CDN will get you on the road with one of these, but
    insurance in Quebec will cost $$ 300-400, maybe someone in Quebec
    can comment on their no-fault insurance system.
    
    Pat R.
893.6KAOFS::B_VANVALKENBMon Feb 13 1995 14:396
    I was under the impression that all vehicles made after 1970 had 
    hardened valves and were able to use unleaded gas. As for knock
    why not just adjust (retard) the timing.
    
    Brian V
                                
893.7Environment CanadaTROOA::SOLEYFall down, go boomMon Feb 13 1995 19:446
    What red tape?
    
    Canada has various standards on vehicles that you must prove a vehicle
    meets before you can license it here. This is probably less strict for
    a bike than a car but still would be a pain and potentially quite
    expensive. It's doable but not worth it for most vehicles.
893.8Buy CanadianKAOFS::W_GILROYWed Feb 15 1995 15:325
    I had friends who purchased a VW Van in Belguim built to the
    Canadian/Bulguim Vechical safty standards so they could bring it back
    to Canada when they returned. The main differance between the Belgin
    and Canadian vechicals was the engine and exhaust.
    There for sell the bike and buy a new one here.  
893.9Hhmmm...TROOA::TRINNEERWed Feb 22 1995 22:007
    I haven't contributed to this conference in the past, but I do want to 
    thank Claire for the wonderful insight into the cost of buying the bike in
    Belgium and for the staggering costs for various taxes and licenses
    there.  
          
    Sure helps put into perspective the Canadian situation which we all
    love to whine about...
893.10Cost of life!!!PLAYER::FOLIEThu Feb 23 1995 10:5318
Hello,

Just to enforce your feelings, during the short week se have spent in Quebec,
we have looked on the cost of things!! 
If you say that to buy something of the current life in Canada you need 
$100 CDN, you pay the same thing the equivalent of $160 CDN here in Belgium.
This seems to be valid for most of the usual life.
But as soon as you want to buy in Canada some imported goods, then we feel
you pay about the same amount that the one in Belgium.

Of course, we noticed: better not to drink too much beers or wine...
better not to like too much cheese, better to buy a car in Canada, it will 
be bigger, more powerfull... for less than the usual belgian price.

Anyhow, we were happy during that short trip to Quebec and we hope to be
back very soon there.

Claire.