It was expected

[Jacine]

With new new rules for 2008 and 2010 from EPA this was expected and now its coming down on us. Basically anyone selling products that will in any way change the specs of the engine from OEM standards will be prosecuted. This includes all forms of 2 wheel transportation including scooters. So new pipes, carbs, air boxes, running rich, ECM modifiers such as PCIIIs or anything that changes the EPA settings etc. Individuals will also be prosecuted to the extent that their bikes will not renew for licensing. The new machines and training of the test sites can determine if modifications have been made. Any bike with an EFI will have and ECM and information contained withing the ECM will detail any changes made even if they have been removed for testing. Something like a black box. Here is the first of victims to fall by the wayside.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced recently that it concluded an investigation against Dynojet Research, Inc. At issue was the company's "Power Commander" that can be used to alter the air-fuel mixture and engine timing of on- and off-road motorcycles. CARB said that the installation of these devices would adversely affect the emissions control systems of vehicles that were certified by the original equipment manufacturers to comply with the agency's emissions standards. Dynojet has now certified a California version of the "Power Commander" and has agreed to pay $1,000,000 in penalties to the California Air Pollution Control Fund.

The Mobile Source Enforcement Section along with the Office of Legal Affairs has completed its investigation against Dynojet Research, Inc. located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dynojet was manufacturing an after market part called the "Power Commander" that would alter the air-fuel mixture and the timing on off and on road motor vehicles. By installing the Power Commander this would alter or modify the original design of the motor vehicle and would affect the emission control systems that were certified by the manufacture through ARB. As part of the settlement it was agreed between both parties that Dynojet would not violate the Health and Safety Code with respect to the installation, sale, offer for sale or advertising of any device in California intended for use with, or as part of, any required motor vehicle pollution control device or system which alters or modifies the original design or performance of any such motor vehicle pollution control device or system. Dynojet has now certified a California version of the Power Commander that is legal for sale and use on California motor vehicles. Dynojet also paid penalties in the amount of $1,000,000 to the California Air Pollution Control Fund as part of the settlement.
__________________

[RetroAJ]

"Modding is bad, m-kay." Our right to trash our planet is being violated, let's start burning things. ;D

*A J*

[Enviromoto]

So no more intakes and exhaust? I wonder what MRP is going to do? This is only for emisions right? If so would rollers and clutches be included? Do you have a link?
Thanks for the headsup

[earlwb]

Wow, I guess if I need some hop up parts, I better get them soon before they move these items to the burgeoning black market and the price goes up.

[Deleted]

Good thing I live in Florida. CARB can KMA. ;D

[Dennis D]

Other than in California, I doubt we need be too concerned. I would think that the EPA would start enforcing the sharing of EPA certification tags, and all the other shoddy practices affecting emissions that many chinese bike importers routinely engage in before they start busting people for putting more efficient exhaust systems and intake manifolds on their bikes, or parts dealers for selling them. California just has way too many bureaucrats with way too much time on their hands. Truth is, their is such a plethora of importers, and the EPA is short enough on manpower, that they haven't got enough available man hours to enforce all their rules, ezpecially when it comes to trying to track down all the various small companies involved.

[scooterlizard]

More government control, love it. It's back the horse and buggy. EPA would find an excuse to say that the horses are creating to much methane gas. Anybody got a light.

[earlwb]

Horses heck, cattle are the ones to regulate.
They could start housing all the cattle in huge barns like they do turkeys, pigs, and chickens.
Then they can start recyling the gasses.

[tp555]

BOHICA. Bend over here it comes again.

[memturbo]

If it means goodbye to NASCAR then Im all for it !

[Aerostudent]

Of course I have to live in Cali...

I can understand why they are doing all this control crap, but I am sure that there are more major forms of polution that should be taken care of before cracking down on aftermarket mufflers and such. But the thing is, we are private motorists and can't fight/bribe our way out of legislation like some of the larger companies do when they are faced with regulations.

Just my .02
Aero

[Jacine]

enviromoto said:

So no more intakes and exhaust? I wonder what MRP is going to do? This is only for emisions right? If so would rollers and clutches be included? Do you have a link?
Thanks for the headsup

I don't think rollers or clutches would affect the engine to any degree. As long as the intake output is not modified I think we are ok. Mostly this will apply to EFI bikes that have that little black box on the ECM.

[Jacine]

jt said:

Good thing I live in Florida. CARB can KMA. ;D

Other states will hop on the band wagon. All those California wannabees. I spoke to the emissions testing in Arizona and they will soon start testing the bikes. For those with the ECMs they can compare EPA settings to those currently on the bike but for carbs they may have some difficulty. It may be hard to locate the EPA standards for XYZ scooter. I am not sure but in some of the states that are following CA, the registration of Chinese Scoots has become more of a problem, especially if the scooter does not have the Federal compliance plaque.

[Jacine]

dennisdh said:

Other than in California, I doubt we need be too concerned. I would think that the EPA would start enforcing the sharing of EPA certification tags, and all the other shoddy practices affecting emissions that many chinese bike importers routinely engage in before they start busting people for putting more efficient exhaust systems and intake manifolds on their bikes, or parts dealers for selling them. California just has way too many bureaucrats with way too much time on their hands. Truth is, their is such a plethora of importers, and the EPA is short enough on manpower, that they haven't got enough available man hours to enforce all their rules, especially when it comes to trying to track down all the various small companies involved.

Interesting enough it's not the EPA that is doing the tracking but the individual states. California State went after Dynojet.
Bikes that have been modified will not receive the renewal of their license at testing time. They don't have to search, you will come to them. Once they have destroyed the manufacturers of pipes and engine mods, then they will probably go after individuals with black market parts. Most likely simply impound the bike, since there is no reason to go after John Doe and his 150cc.

Currently there is a consortium of 18 states led by CA suing the Feds for not requiring a higher mpg on cars. Remember the Home rule and police powers acts allow states to increase the requirements of any federal law. They can't do much with cars. The Auto companies are just too big, and the public would not stand for not being able to buy certain models. But with bikes, that's another story. Motorcyclists and Scooterists are a minority. We are still trying to get some recognition if we're killed by an illegal left turning car. In most states "I just didn't see her/him" is enough to be let of with no charges of vehicular manslaughter. However if illegal left turner were to hit another car driver, the outcome would be quite different.
It's quite easy to blame a cycle for the world's pollution. They initially tried to ban lawnmowers and blowers and ran into trouble about 4 - 5 years ago.

[Dennis D]

Thy've gone after aftermarket car(hot rod) parts in the past, but other than maybe California, they were never able to make it stick. Why?? Because the same headers that increase power also are more efficient, and that can be proven. Same goes with hi rise manifolds, and to a certain extent ignition tuning. Turbochargers and some superchargers can also lower emissions as far a PPM is concerned.

They've never, to my knowledge, gone after people changing gear ratios, etc... because that can be essential for certain special uses.... and the only way to measure the effect on emissions in a inspection would be to road test. It's been proven many times that with a good build, one can improve on both power output and efficiency, while staying within emissions limits. The thing is that with more stringent emissions requirements, things like aftermarket exhaust systems have to be built to acommodate any hookups for emissions control systems, and that will make aftermarket equipment a lot more expensive.

There are also still states like IN, where there is no yearly inspection, or even spot checks. In those states, things are pretty much wide open as far as modding possibilities are concerned.... but probably not for long.

[natefromogden]

There are reasons I'll never live in the Socialist Republik of California. Stuff like this meddling is just one of them.

[RetroAJ]

Nothing wrong with clean air, you'll find that you will die without it. The end of NASCAR wouldn't be a bad thing either. It would give the rednecks a reason to get their butts off of the couch and do something constructive.

*A J*

[loudest143]

Well, here in Ohio, we don't have vehicle inspection laws. Until they decide that any ole hooptie with more rust than paint spewing blue-black smoke from front and back can drive through my neighborhood, then I'm not too awful worried about my little peashooter. Even with my gutted exhaust and free flow airfilter.

loudest143
*coughwheezecough*

[Dennis D]

retroaj said:

Nothing wrong with clean air, you'll find that you will die without it. The end of NASCAR wouldn't be a bad thing either. It would give the rednecks a reason to get their butts off of the couch and do something constructive.

*A J*

My... what's with you today? Sounds like a troll if I ever heard one. OK, I'll take you up on it! Just pick any popular sport and you could say the same thing, Now about NFL? Might as well go big with the trolling.... that's the largest number of beer guzzling couch potatoes that use watching grown men play games for millions of $$$ as an excuse for lethargy! Get out and actually go to a game instead of vegging out on the couch with Guinness... of course if you went to the games, or Nascar Races, you'd have to drink AMERICAN beer!

[RetroAJ]

Dennis, I don't go to either. I don't veg out in front of the TV. I hunt, fish, scoot, bike, blade among other things. When I do sit on my butt, I'm playing bass.

If they did away with pro sports, everyone could spend their money on more worth while things, like their families for instance. Instead of wasting it on overpaid players. And think of the reduction in waste going to the landfill. It would also help get lazy people off their butts and help lower the national average of obese people.

There are people in this country that need to be regulated because they are not intelegent enough to manage themselves. Like the morons that go out and kill themselves on crotch rockets trying to do stunts. Or street racers that can't wait and do it on the track. This is just my .02, take it how you want.

*A J*

[Enviromoto]

Indiana is changing rapidly. I suspect we are going to be the CA of the midwest before it is over. Currently we are spending a ton on bike paths and roads that accomodate scooters. Although Indiana is one of the worst now I see good things on the horizon. So enjoy it now! j/K

[natefromogden]

Enviromoto, I used to live in Dublin IN, along highway 40, east of Indianapolis. I was looking @ Google earth the other night and discovered that the Union Pacific RR tracks are missing. I wondered if they had been made into Rails to Trails paths.

[flhtri]

The EPA is to our lives as PETA is to our diets.

[Dennis D]

retroaj said:

If they did away with pro sports, everyone could spend their money on more worth while things, like their families for instance. Instead of wasting it on overpaid players. And think of the reduction in waste going to the landfill. It would also help get lazy people off their butts and help lower the national average of obese people.

Well, you're fair about it, that's for sure. I've always been a gearhead, and that's included drag racing, some street racing in my early days, autocrossing, and participating in/planning road rallies. But I agree about pro sports, including NASCAR/FIA... getting way too expensive because of players/drivers being paid way beyond their value to society.

However... without safety and technology advances that came out of racing, we'd have cars that are far less safe and far less efficient. And to be sure... while "superstar" drivers are way overpaid, those advances would have never come about without manufacturer involvement, sponsors, and advertising. It is what it is. And there have been huge advances in treating musculoskeletal injuries that have come about because of the necessity of getting those ridiculously over-paid athletes function at peak performance again.

And until we have a sea change in our cultural values, if it's not pro sports, it's video games, movies.... or too much time spent posting in internet forums like this one.

[tyrssen]

Freedom good, government control bad.

While I certainly share concerns about the environment, I'd be a lot more impressed if they went after factories belching smoke, rather than worry about my hot rod or chopper. I'm building one with a hardtail frame, ape hanger bars, and a springer front end, and if the gummint don't like it, they can go fork themselves. Kapisch?

[Deleted]

jacine said:

jt said:

Good thing I live in Florida. CARB can KMA. ;D

Other states will hop on the band wagon. All those California wannabees. ...

We actually did away with vehicle inspections in 2000 except for 6 counties. Not too many Kalifornia wannabes here.

[earlwb]

When i think about it, it is basically a moot point.
When you go to buy high-perf parts for anything, almost all the parts have a sticker and or statements all over them about the fact that "For racing only, not for street use".
So actually nothing will change, unless you live in one of those states that really represses everyone with emissions testing.

[surfborg]

retroaj said:

Dennis, I don't go to either. I don't veg out in front of the TV. I hunt, fish, scoot, bike, blade among other things. When I do sit on my butt, I'm playing bass.

If they did away with pro sports, everyone could spend their money on more worth while things, like their families for instance. Instead of wasting it on overpaid players. And think of the reduction in waste going to the landfill. It would also help get lazy people off their butts and help lower the national average of obese people.

There are people in this country that need to be regulated because they are not intelegent enough to manage themselves. Like the morons that go out and kill themselves on crotch rockets trying to do stunts. Or street racers that can't wait and do it on the track. This is just my .02, take it how you want.

*A J*

Nah. He just vegs out in front of the computer. ;D Just kidding. Luv ya dude! That's whats great about America. We can have different view points and still get along. Come on dude... give me a hug!! ;D

Surf

[lewtwo]

retroaj said:

... It would give the rednecks a reason to get their butts off of the couch and do something constructive.

*A J*

Hey ... I'll have ya know dat I don't even own a couch.

[oldscooterguy]

flhtri said:

The EPA is to our lives as PETA is to our diets.

HEY!! I'm a member of PETA.

People
Eating
Tasty
Animals