Thank you Thank you Thank you! All the above 100%!

 

I have been retired for a few years now, but I used to work with DMV registration laws...

Unless something has changed, the CA DMV only checks bikes to ensure that they are 50 states EPA compliant when transferring the registration to CA on a used bike... They do this by checking the Manufacturer's label on the down tube.... They do no ECM checks, no visual inspection of exhaust, intake, etc... they just look for that sticker.

If you're a CA resident, and you buy a new bike (less than 7500 miles) from out of state, you must also show that it has the CA emissions sticker, in addition to the 50 states manufacturer's sticker, to register it. CA requires the fuel tank to be vented through a filter, not straight to the air like the other 50 states..

If you try to register a used bike in CA, that doesn't have the 50 states EPA compliant Manufacture's sticker, or you try to register a new bike from out of state, as a CA resident, and it doesn't have the CA Emissions sticker, you will not be able to register the bike.....

The only thing I am aware of, that the CA DMV tracks and/or is notified about, are emissions related recalls and parking tickets.. The CA DMV will not allow you to renew your vehicle registration, if you have an outstanding, emissions related recall on that vehicle, or a certain amount of unpaid parking tickets. I assume then that they somehow are notified or have a way of flagging vehicles with outstanding emissions recalls.. Parking tickets are by vehicle, in their computer system.

Other than emissions recalls/ parking tickets, I know of no other information that the DMV tracks on vehicles....

Other than checking for the proper emissions sticker(s) for the appropriate vehicle (used or new) during the initial registration process, I know of no other EPA info that the DMV concerns themselves with...

 

I agree on both points, build it/service it.

 

Again, just to be sure you clearly understand this, Harley did NOT flag your VIN with the EPA.

They flagged your VIN with themselves only, with the Harley-Davidson Motor Company and all of their dealerships only, to make sure you never got any powertrain warranty coverage on that bike forever.

 

Looks like he shoulda kept his Fatboy.
Seeme the dealer should of known all of this. Prolly did so they could **** him on the trade in value.

 

To clarify, I was told by my dealer that the day “could come” where this bike would no longer be allowed to be registered n California.
I’m just trying explain a screwed up situation I found myself in.

 

I’m calling BS on the reporting to the EPA part.

Harley as a company only has to report the number of warranty denials. The consent decree says nothing about providing specific details that would flag each bike in some EPA database.

California isn’t going to know your warranty has been killed.

 

Well, sorry it happen to you. It's good now days to see someone own up and say "it's my bad". Don't see that much. Nice bike, well done.

 

I think dealers are all over the place on this kind of stuff.

I have a ‘17 Softail whose front and rear rocker box gaskets were found to have been leaking during its 5K service. I have an extended warranty on the bike, which I tuned with a FP3/did a Stage 1 upgrade myself around the 1K mark.

The dealer replaced the gaskets under warranty, no questions asked.

 

There are two issues here, one, the power train warranty and two, flagging your vin “non-compliant”..
I have no idea if HD actually informs the EPA, I seriously doubt it. What my dealer made clear to me is that in the future, this might create a problem registering this bike in California. I’ve lived here my whole life, I wouldn’t put it past them!
And for what it’s worth, I trust my dealer, I have maintained a great relationship for over thirty years...