New EPA Rules
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
From: West Tennessee
RE: New EPA Rules
I think we're lacking some perspective here. I cannot think that all of a sudden, they are going to limit modifications to motorcycles to none. They are not even required to have catalytic converters. There are A LOT of things you can do to the modern car to greatly improve performance and still be emissions legal. Headers, exhaust systems, camshafts, heads, intakes, even superchargers. Fuel management can be changed, just about everything short of removing the catalytic converters, which by the way, have gotten to be quite efficient in their flow rates. I just have to believe that all the facts are not yet known. Mainly because EPA regulations are fairly new to motorcycles, or at least the enforcement of their regulations.
While emissions enforcement surely varies from state to state, I've been hearing the stuff about $10,000 fines for a lot of years now. I have yet to hear of somebody being assessed those fines, particularly individuals. No matter how snotty the EPA gets, I don't see them putting people into bankruptcy over emissions fines. I surely do not see Harley turning in its customers for doing such. REALLY bad for business.
While emissions enforcement surely varies from state to state, I've been hearing the stuff about $10,000 fines for a lot of years now. I have yet to hear of somebody being assessed those fines, particularly individuals. No matter how snotty the EPA gets, I don't see them putting people into bankruptcy over emissions fines. I surely do not see Harley turning in its customers for doing such. REALLY bad for business.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 113
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From:
RE: New EPA Rules
I have been looking into this a little more and what I am coming up with is that the EPA is cracking down on manufacturers not consumers. There are no laws stating what the manufacturers have to do to meet standards just that they have to meet them on 06 and later models and then in 2010 they will have to meet even more strict standards. Harley looks to be complying mainly by making Fuel injection standard on 06 bikes. I think where we are going to get hit is in price. The V&H pipes I got completely installed for $650.00 on my 05 glide was going to cost a friend of mine $1200.00 on his 06. I don't know if that is the norm every where I can only speak of the stealer in my area. As for the yearly testing there is nothing on that yet. I'm sure that will be a state to state thing. Illinois doesn't even test cars yearly so I doubt they will test bikes. As for the other states you will just have to look into your state. If they have a yearly car test you might have a yearly bike test on the way. My opinion is buy used and if you have an 05 and earlier keep it and you don't have anything to worry about.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,299
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RE: New EPA Rules
I must say I agree with CraigC, that is until a friend of mine who works at the EPA (building maintenance only!) told me of their secret program of planting moles as members of enthusiast websites to track who has mods, etc. We have one among us, he said he'll find out who as soon as possible. My guess is it's whoever started this thread [sm=pimp.gif] Until then I must say I've noticed a dip in the enthusiasm and content of threads lately. Maybe it's because everybody has their winter mods and is too busy riding.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 113
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From:
RE: New EPA Rules
ORIGINAL: but Ill try 2 try
I must say I agree with CraigC, that is until a friend of mine who works at the EPA (building maintenance only!) told me of their secret program of planting moles as members of enthusiast websites to track who has mods, etc. We have one among us, he said he'll find out who as soon as possible. My guess is it's whoever started this thread [sm=pimp.gif] Until then I must say I've noticed a dip in the enthusiasm and content of threads lately. Maybe it's because everybody has their winter mods and is too busy riding.
I must say I agree with CraigC, that is until a friend of mine who works at the EPA (building maintenance only!) told me of their secret program of planting moles as members of enthusiast websites to track who has mods, etc. We have one among us, he said he'll find out who as soon as possible. My guess is it's whoever started this thread [sm=pimp.gif] Until then I must say I've noticed a dip in the enthusiasm and content of threads lately. Maybe it's because everybody has their winter mods and is too busy riding.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From:
RE: New EPA Rules
No sarcasm, It is just the fact that ,in order to get matching funding for highway projects, you have to do what the feds say. When it comes to the Auto exhaut you mentioned, they would only be upset if you removed the catlylitic converter, or other emmission control device. By the way I have owned and ridden motorcycles for well over thirty years. And if you haven't noticed, Big Brother has gotten more involved with our motoring lives as technology cost reduction have made it affordable to enforce the laws. Example speed and stop light cameras. Take a pic, and mail a ticket. even maling the ticket can be automated. No police salary or overtime paid. In the City I live near , the City Council was mostly Democrat. In less than ten years they passed laws that afffected the poor and/or elderly people. Your house had to be painted to meet city code. ( or face a fine and possible jail time) Grass could not exceed 3 inches in height. ( Same penalties ) Your car has to be in a garage, or out of view if it is not visually perfect. ( same penalties, plus loss of said vehicle) Snow must be removed by eight in the morning. ( The city will clear it for 110 dollars an hour plus a fine.) Last but not least, noise pollution. A lot of Harley Riders have been fined excessivly for their pipes, while a teenie goes by with his radio blaring full volume,with no enforcement, of said law. I was at a parade out of town, and the Blue Knights rode by. They had Harleys and Goldwings. Several elderly people complained and said why do the Harleys have to be so loud. Why can't they be like the Goldwings. Let me assure you the Harleys were very quiet. 3000 dollars will modify your bike. 3000 dollars will get your car a Borla exhaust, and some other add-ons. Bikes by far , are easily modified for fewer bucks, versus a car. That could be one reason the EPAhas chosen to enforce a law that has been on the books since 1979. Besides motorcycles are fun, and a form of freedom.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 426
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From:
RE: New EPA Rules
I agree with you. At least with Harley's Street Legal Modifictions ( Per their catolog ) I would think The Closed Loop EFI Bikes would tend to stay legal. Come on anyone who works for Harley how about some comment on this, Please.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 714
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RE: New EPA Rules
No sure if the basani pipes that my dad has on his. That were on there as the bike sat on the show floor are street leagl. They pretty loud. How did harley get around that? I am curious because its not right that they can and the comsumer will get in to trouble for it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 426
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RE: New EPA Rules
This is a true story. A friend of mine was pulled over for loud pipes (at night), and given a ticket and Breathanalyzer test. He went to court and the State Highway Patrolman said how he had tested for the offense. My Friend said to the Judge that was not True. He had the Bike outside in the Traffic court Parking lot. The judge went out with the Ballif and saw the Bike and also listened to it. Case dismissed. It was a Police Bike. This hapened about 10 years ago. The Patrolman got transfered. Most Patrolmen are very fine people. This one just did not care for Harleys. In all my years of riding the Law officials have been Great Friends. I have even ridden with them.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
RE: New EPA Rules
Unless our resident moron, Blagojevich, figures out a way to generate more revenue from bike inspections.
ORIGINAL: jt1965
They do inspections already in Missouri. But here in Illinois they do not they used to do trucks and bikes years ago but I cannot see it happening here anytime soon the state politics are way to corrupt here.
They do inspections already in Missouri. But here in Illinois they do not they used to do trucks and bikes years ago but I cannot see it happening here anytime soon the state politics are way to corrupt here.