Ironically we've had the news over here this week that California is not going to be allowed to set its own emissions regulations for vehicles, although when and if that actually comes in is not clear.

 

WAIT A SEC......

If you still have the MSO, why don't you take the bike to your areas CHP VIN officer? He'll confirm you bought the engine legally (using the MSO), then give you a form you take to the DMV to update your title to the new S&S engine's serial number.

Trust me, this is the path. I researched the hell out of this in San Diego for an engine swap to an S&S case (just the case though, but no different here since the serial number changes). He admitted to me he doesn't care at all about emissions, he just wanted to know the engine wasn't hot. The case I bought did NOT have a CARB number, he still didn't care. The DMV only cares about emissions in regards to the little sticker on the frame that says how the charcoal canister is installed. Considering your bike is already registered in CA that won't even cross their radar.

And yes, a cop can impound your bike even if you're carrying the MSO on you. Who's to say it's an official document? A cop on the beat will be less inclined to trust you with honest paperwork than the CHP VIN officer will be, considering it's their sole job.


Edit: On a personal note, how the hell did you get a V111 into CA? I could barely get the engine case I used and that was from some place in Texas not caring about CA politics or emissions. S&S clearly told me they would NOT ship a V111 to CA, period! They even said none of their product, even if you say it's for race use only, will ship to CA (crankcases, cylinders, cams, heads, etc...) unless it's got the CARB-EO number showing it's approved for street use in CA.

I managed to get the crankcase because the TX vendor used their own address as the middle-man in the transaction. My MSO says this place got it, then my invoice from them reflects my purchase of it. For engines, S&S ships from the factory to the end user. If your address was CA, the whole order was voided. The only way I could find to get the whole engine was to work with a chopper builder in Phoenix where I'd go pick it up.

 

My Indy, who is a S&S dealer, was able to order the engine. When I went to pay for everything is when he showed me the paper work that said the engine was illegal for California use. I knew all along that the engine was 49 state, but I honestly thought that there would be a way around it.

I am going to go to the CHP office (without the bike) and ask them about inspecting the bike and the MSO. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks

 

They don't smog check or inspect motorcycles in CA. You have nothing to worry about, OP.

 

I genuinely hope you get good news. Sounds like you've put a lot into this bike. Its a shame that you can't enjoy it.

 

Thanks Omaha. I've lived in Northern California for 51 years, but I'm getting tired of the liberal policies, and they just keep coming. I just got my registration renewal for my 2014 Tundra in the mail. They want $450 bucks for a 5 year old truck? Crazy.

There are a lot of good, solid people here and the riding is some of the best around, but when I retire I'm out of here.

 

Would be nice to have that bike when you do flee

 

I tried San Diego for three years and hit my limit. The policies in conjunction with cost of living made us hit a boiling point so we left. It was a nice visit though, and got living in CA out of my system. I'll always return to visit, but never move there again.

 

Used bike market is in the favor of the buyer, that’s a sweet ride you got there, I’d hold on to it if I were you.

 

Can you register it in another state? Like Montana?