Smog Testing Motorcycles?

[twowheelnut]

Linky for full story.

Smog Tests for California Bikes?The California Air Resources Board, the agency responsible for controlling air pollution in the state, is considering adding motorcycles to its vehicle smog-testing program.

What does this mean? Save those stock pipes, cats and get ready to ditch the PCIII at smog time. Neato, eh?

Discuss.

 

[madmike2]

I also read that in the latest issue of American Motorcyclist. I seem to remember a vague discussion of this subject a long time ago in a universe far far away. Of course, the rumors have been flying around for some time and the article says, "The board reportedly is considering adding motorcycles to the smog-testing program."

It'd be easy to unplug the PCIII and re-plug the 02 sensor. Removing a header system may be a bit more cumbersome and time consuming.

At least with injectors, there'll be no need to pull the carbs and switch jets. Since the cats are in the headers any aftermarket slip-ons should still pass as they shouldn't affect the air/fuel ratio.

How about all those dual-sport guys who have modified airboxes and pulled hoses and charcoal cannisters? I'm thinking that most owners just chucked them into the garbage.

It should be mildly interesting (slightly expensive) to see most of the HD riders getting their bikes to pass. I believe their various "Stage" kits probably won't pass but only time will tell.

Uhm, we all know this is inevitable, don't we? Is this California's answer to loud aftermarket pipes complaints?

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I think Mike covered all of it. The only people that probably have to worry are those with the aftermarket headers. PCIII? I figure test it first to see if it passes. It probably will.

 

[HaulinAshe]

The only way I see to defeat the initiative is to argue that anyone riding a motorcyle is contributing a much lesser volume of pollutants/person/mile than any vehicle that currently falls under emissions restrictions.

<_<

This is one of those times I am soooo glad I don't live in CA.

 

[madmike2]

The only way I see to defeat the initiative is to argue that anyone riding a motorcyle is contributing a much lesser volume of pollutants/person/mile than any vehicle that currently falls under emissions restrictions.

Yes, however it is not an initiative. It will be a decision by the California Air Resources Board, IMO staffed by "the annointed" and "the appointed" all of whom know what's best for the rest of us. Keep an eye on this decision because if it "flies" in CA it will probably be coming to a State near you mandated by the EPA.

They are also considering other changes to the vehicle inspection program, which could in a "worst case scenario" include reflectors and mufflers (meaning we'd all have to have all of the OEM equipment). That would just plain SUCK!

Remember that American Motorcyclst warned that there could be severe consequences to those who continually run extremely loud pipes? More than a year ago when they reported after an equipment show. IIRC, HD sold their aftermarket pipe business. The writing was on the wall and this could be just the first of incremental rules and laws. This paragraph is merely supposition on my part and I hope none of it comes to pass.

 

[Grumpy]

The only way I see to defeat the initiative is to argue that anyone riding a motorcyle is contributing a much lesser volume of pollutants/person/mile than any vehicle that currently falls under emissions restrictions. <_<

This is one of those times I am soooo glad I don't live in CA.

Gee Jeff, I don't remember ever wanting to live there???....... but then I'm old and have already forgotten what it was that I wanted to do 5 minutes ago!!

jim

 

[twowheelnut]

Yes, however it is not an initiative. It will be a decision by the California Air Resources Board, IMO staffed by "the annointed" and "the appointed" all of whom know what's best for the rest of us. Keep an eye on this decision because if it "flies" in CA it will probably be coming to a State near you mandated by the EPA.
They are also considering other changes to the vehicle inspection program, which could in a "worst case scenario" include reflectors and mufflers (meaning we'd all have to have all of the OEM equipment). That would just plain SUCK!

Remember that American Motorcyclst warned that there could be severe consequences to those who continually run extremely loud pipes? More than a year ago when they reported after an equipment show. IIRC, HD sold their aftermarket pipe business. The writing was on the wall and this could be just the first of incremental rules and laws. This paragraph is merely supposition on my part and I hope none of it comes to pass.

Yep, Mikey, CARB is not accountable to the voting public. And you can bet your last Low-fat, Half-caff Mochachino that they will indeed wrap A/M pipe checks into the testing. I believe that this is why the manufacturers are making those goofy looking cans with the built-in cats. If you yank 'em and get pulled over, you'll have yourself a hefty fine to pay.

Note to Kaitsdad: DON'T TOSS THAT CHARCOAL CAN!

 

[jdog109socal]

I kept my old exhaust, Screw them 30 minutes change back go get it inspected then throwt the BlueFlames back on... Why waist our time :angry2:

California " Help Destroy America, Become an environmentalist" Saw that on a bumper sticker once..

Jdog

Whats Next my lawn mower????

 

[drjfjr]

When Jefferson County Kentucky first started emisions testing they tested motorcycles. Mine was stock. The main thing was if a vehicle had Cats on them they had to have them to pass the test. I had aftermarket exhaust on my cage and it was no issue as long as it met emisions requirements. They no longer have the test now. It was eliminated a few years ago.

 

[kaitsdad]

Note to Kaitsdad: DON'T TOSS THAT CHARCOAL CAN!

[SIZE=8pt]oh, crap!! [/SIZE] :huh:

 

[exskibum]

It's from fear that this might happen that I still have the stock exhaust and all OEM parts for my '03 Blackbird. As to the PCIII, I believe you can simply leave it in place and install the zero map to effectively return the fuel injection mapping to stock, but you might be better off for the inspection to take it out. If they do this, I'll have to put the XX back to stock for the test, at least. But since my '03 XX is a legally registered 49 states model in California (was used with over 7500 miles when first registered in CA), it doesn't have cats, BUT the '03 XXs sold new in CA DID have cats. Should be interesting to see if they adopt different test standards for legal 49 states models and CA models -- would seem they'd have to as long as you have all OEM smog equipment installed and properly operable.

For my FJR, I decided not to follow through on getting the Muzzy 4-2-1 pipe from the group buy (I got in early) because the vendor couldn't get Muzzy's "quiet core" muffler. After he advised of that, I wrestled with the decision, before deciding that I just didn't want the louder can on the FJR, and would wait until I could get the quiet core. Maybe this is another reason I didn't yet know about. Like my XX, the FJR is a 49 states model, and though it has the cats, it doesn't have the charcoal cannister.

 

[Toecutter]

I believe they can only require testing for model years that they can acquire the factory emissions specs for. That's why they only went back to 1973 for cars. The story I heard is that they would have to acquire those vintage vehicles, remanufacture the motors to OEM condition, then test them to attain a standard. So, they will probably do some kind of grandfather program but all FJR's will probably be covered, and they will be able to tell the difference between the OEM spec gas outputs and a richer PCIII-enhanced mixture.

My bike is a 49 state model, legally registered as used in CA, but I wonder what, if any, damage I may have done to the cat internals by running diesel-spec oil and supplemental ZDP? Time will tell.

There was also once talk of roadside gas analyzers for random testing, but I don't think anything ever came of it.

"The more you tighten your grasp, the more systems will slip through your fingers. " -- Princess Leia to Darth Vader

"When excessive speed is outlawed, only outlaws will speed"-- Me, my favorite outlaw.

 

[rickysnickers]

Whats Next my lawn mower????

Don't laugh about that. They are already playing around with cats for yard and lawn equipment. I was doing some research on chainsaws. There are models that are made that aren't even availeble in CA, and online dealers won't sell them to CA residents either.

Rick

 

[Last Chance]

I kept my old exhaust, Screw them 30 minutes change back go get it inspected then throwt the BlueFlames back on... Why waist our time :angry2:
California " Help Destroy America, Become an environmentalist" Saw that on a bumper sticker once..

Jdog

Whats Next my lawn mower????

Already under consideration and probably high on their list of "things to do".

 

[radman]

What CARB does the rest of the country soon follows. So it was with auto emissions, so shall it be with bike. Be afraid, USA, be very afraid, and fight whenever, wherever you can.......... <_<

 

[Geezer]

Last I heard, and it has been a few years since I heard this, catalytic converters wear out after about 50k miles. I used to live in NJ, where they have been sniffing tail pipes on cages at the annual inspection for a many years. I never had one fail that was in a proper state of tune.

 

[Indian Scout]

:

Linky for full story.

Smog Tests for California Bikes?The California Air Resources Board, the agency responsible for controlling air pollution in the state, is considering adding motorcycles to its vehicle smog-testing program.

What does this mean? Save those stock pipes, cats and get ready to ditch the PCIII at smog time. Neato, eh?

Discuss.

What pisses me off about this whole emissions thing in Kalifornia is the fact that all vehicles with exempt plates, thats ones with an "E" are not required to be Kalifornia legal. As an example the Harleys that LAPD are getting are 49 state models and do not have to pass Kalifornia standards. They just want to F with the citizens.

:assassin: :crazy: :angry:

 

[exskibum]

Last I heard, and it has been a few years since I heard this, catalytic converters wear out after about 50k miles. I used to live in NJ, where they have been sniffing tail pipes on cages at the annual inspection for a many years. I never had one fail that was in a proper state of tune.

If that's true, it seems like that would be a good reason to put on an aftermarket header system without cats, and then reinstall the OEM system with the cats when the smog check is upcoming. That would save the wear and tear on the cats. Just guessing, but I would imagine that getting a new OEM exhaust system with new cats would be more expensive than the money spent on the performance aftermarket system that gets all the wear and tear between inspections.

 

[weekend rider]

Well they are working on one for us humans also. Card does not like the emissions we put out

so we all will be required to get a far tom eter to check our emissions. What is next??????????

:angry2: weekend rider