Does anyone have experience registering a 49 State only HD in California?

The bike I am interested in has well over 7,500 miles. Will it need the smog and gasoline emissions equipment installed that originally designated a bike of the same vintage and model as 50 State legal? It is a 1998 Softail.

I am waiting for a call back from the DMV. What are your understandings of this issue?

Thank you in advance.

Mike

 

The California DMV will mail you a registration renewal notice telling you whether you are required to get your vehicle smogged; it will also tell you if your vehicle requires a smog check at a test-only station. Exceptions include:

• Vehicles made in 1975 or prior

• Diesel-powered vehicles manufactured prior to 1998 (or a GVWR of more than 14,000 pounds)

• Electric vehicles

• Natural gas powered vehicles weighing more than 14,000 pounds

• Hybrids

• Motorcycles

• Trailers

I do believe you are excluded but wait for the DMV response.

 

If it has at least 7500 mi on it, you will have no problem bringing it into the state. At this time, I still believe CA has no procedure for Smog on a MC. You will at best have to bring it to AAA or DMV to verify mileage.

 

We just brought a bike in and also had to do a VIN verification, no big deal, our title service did it for us for $10.

 

I've had bikes since '87. I've never had to smog a bike.

 

Deleted

 

Yes, that goes without saying, it's automatic when they verify mileage.

 

No smog, bike has to have 7,500 miles or more on the odometer. Who is to say if its the original odometer... lol Just make sure the seller puts down the same mileage on any paper work.

 

Just make sure your MC has 7500 miles on it and you can register the MC in CA. No smog test required. If the bike has less than 7500 miles, that's another story. SJ Ron

 

Thank you all. I spoke with a very personable and humorous lady in the DMV Technical Office. She confirmed exactly what you all stated here. A 49 State bike can be registered in Ca as long as it has 7,500 miles or more.

That certainly opens up a lot of possibilities for me.

Thank you.

Mike