My boss gave me this article this morning. Thought you all might be interest to know what the EPA is trying to do.

This artical was taken from http://www.fool.com

So you like the added pull your Harley gives after having put on a simple to install high flow air cleaner and intake assembly, some slip-on exhaust (even though they are not too obtrusively loud) and rejetted the carb to get a little more energy in those cylinders.

Maybe you even put in the Big Bore 95cu-in kit, changed the cams, increased the carb size, added a Screamin’ Eagle Race Tuner and changed the rear tire to get seat-of-the-pants performance that stock bikes just don’t have. These changes can net you as much as 35% more horsepower and nearly as much torque.

Well, the cost of performance like that may have just gone up. In fact, instead of $2,500 for a Big Bore kit, the price tag could be $12,500 if the EPA has its way.

According to the Federal Register, Volume 69, No. 10 the EPA interprets the Clean Air Act section 203(a) to mean that it is illegal for any person to remove [or alter] any device on an engine involved in that vehicles passage of emissions compliance by the original manufacturer. Under this interpretation, even a gear ratio change or non-stock rear tire can have an effect on engine operation by changing where it operates in its power band for a given vehicle speed thereby effecting its emissions.

One of the most popular Harley modifications is the 95cu-in Big Bore kit. Since your bike was not approved for emissions with this configuration, the EPA would dis-allow you and/or your dealership from making this enhancement unless someone spends lotsa bucks on getting EPA-certified testing done on the changed machine.

The Industry will take care of this
The Motorcycle Industry Council (the MIC serves major motorcycle manufacturers who would love near monopolistic control of where we all spend our after-purchase dollars) through its American V-Twin Aftermarket Committee had asked for a letter of guidance from the EPA. However, by requesting this process, the MIC would have stopped normal EPA public hearing and commenting for a period so that you & I, as well as small motorcycle shops and custom m/c builders could express our positions on these matters that so pointedly affect us, our hobby and our pocket books.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the only true national organization representing street riders exclusively (the AMA gets considerable funding from the major m/c manufacturers), told the EPA that the proposed letter of guidance for the MIC would ultimately give several large companies an unfair advantage in the industry. The MRF believes the rules they are trying to implement would inadvertently be detrimental to the industry, particularly small shops and builders. The MRF’s interest in this is to preserve the lifestyle of motorcycling as we know it. The MRF does not have a financial interest in, nor does it want to be financially involved with, businesses.

Unfortunately, many shop owners and motorcycle riders talked to by American Iron Magazine still do not realize what is going on. A false belief that the EPA and state gubmints will not enforce the new laws, like they didn’t enforce the old ones of similar restrictions, some dating back to 1977, 1979 and 2004. Several California shops have already been given violations by CARB officials.

And with noise complaints in many communities growing in number and frequency, local gubmint will often cave to pressure from influential politicians and community leaders and look for ways to get control. They will be able to use these new laws to fine m/c owners and even penalize m/c shop owners to the point of closing them down. Innovation will suffer; gone will be Rinehart true-duals, S&S intake systems, and Jim’s or Axtell large cylinder heads.

If you modified your bike more than adding chrome and paoint, even a 1999 Harley

 

The EPA is overrated! A bunch of talk blowing out of something that as big as thier mouths.

 

Blah blah blah

I've modified just about every vehicle I've ever owned.
All in California. There is too much money to be made by the aftermarket for them to just give up.
They will get CARB approval. There will be a day most likely that we will have to comply, but its not all doom and gloom.

Most likely you will be grandfathered in as they can't fine you for a crime you commited when it wasn't a crime.
They will probably charge a fee for a cert of non-compliance. I had one of those for a vehicle that had been modified before the car laws. Cost me $250.