Any mods to the stock exhaust can been done?

tntmo

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I'd love to see one instance of an individual getting hit with these fines. Maybe a custom shop or something like that has been subjected to the penalties, but I'm willing to bet no individual person has.

Didn't Diesel Brothers (TV show, custom shop) get some sort of emission fine recently?
 

WJBertrand

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Modifying the end can should not affect exhaust pollution emissions, the catalyst is still there doing its job upstream.


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Sierra1

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I think the EPA also has noise regulations on exhaust(s). And, then there's the California regulations. Back in the late '80s, I got stopped in California on my Seca that had a Kerker 4 into 1. I was told that it was illegal to alter/modify exhaust from OE. Of course, he also told me that it didn't matter that the bike was registered in Texas. . . . and that isn't true.

But, tntmo is right. Individuals rarely get caught/fined. Diesels, '07 and newer, have a particulate filter. Huge no-no to remove. People do it around here all the time. It's probably what the Diesel Bros got in trouble for.
 

tntmo

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It seems that the large majority of a certain American V-Twin motorcycle company's owners have modified their exhausts, I know that some places give noise violation tickets but not the emission ones.

The majority of aftermarket exhaust systems sold have a disclaimer on the paperwork that says "for closed course competition use only". Can't wait to see the ElectraGlide races!
 

WJBertrand

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California used to be a lot tougher on exhaust noise than they are now. The reason is that in the past, it was up to the officer to decide what was too loud. This subjective approach was challenged and change was made that requires the officer to actually measure the sound level. It’s almost impossible to do in the field with background traffic and the other requirements to do the test correctly. As a result, most cops won’t bother with it. The change had the opposite affect resulting in little enforcement of noise limits.

The state realized the issue and last year (or was in 2018) changed the law to require an OEM compliance certification badge/stamp to be placed directly on the exhaust by the manufacturer. Now all the officer has to do is look for that stamp. No stamp = ticket, much simpler to enforce.

I spoke to an officer in my town after this law went through and his comment was that they were mostly going to go after the “Harley guys” with really obnoxiously loud pipes. I’m still running my Delkevic on my bike and Borlas on my car, so far I’ve not received a second look.


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Mak10

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I'd love to see one instance of an individual getting hit with these fines. Maybe a custom shop or something like that has been subjected to the penalties, but I'm willing to bet no individual person has.

Didn't Diesel Brothers (TV show, custom shop) get some sort of emission fine recently?
If you are a commercial shop deleting diesel emissions you might have a problem. If you live in Kalifornia, I’m sorry for you.
Don’t move out of Kalifornia though, it’s ugly and terrible elsewhere.
2020 epa cases against commercial shops.
782B7668-47F8-4455-9FD5-A5D14FCDBA67.png
 

Mak10

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After making that, I bought an aftermarket silencer.
Both sound much better, when riding around town, long distance rides however the sound starts to wear on me. 7CFA1397-2A8A-4CAC-B3A7-67F2817C15FE.jpeg
 
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ballisticexchris

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Modifying the end can should not affect exhaust pollution emissions, the catalyst is still there doing its job upstream.


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That is the problem with the EPA. They can care less about a modification that does not create pollution. They use a blanket system that requires stringent rules aganist any kind of modification to smog equipment


California used to be a lot tougher on exhaust noise than they are now. The reason is that in the past, it was up to the officer to decide what was too loud. This subjective approach was challenged and change was made that requires the officer to actually measure the sound level. It’s almost impossible to do in the field with background traffic and the other requirements to do the test correctly. As a result, most cops won’t bother with it. The change had the opposite affect resulting in little enforcement of noise limits.

The state realized the issue and last year (or was in 2018) changed the law to require an OEM compliance certification badge/stamp to be placed directly on the exhaust by the manufacturer. Now all the officer has to do is look for that stamp. No stamp = ticket, much simpler to enforce.


I spoke to an officer in my town after this law went through and his comment was that they were mostly going to go after the “Harley guys” with really obnoxiously loud pipes. I’m still running my Delkevic on my bike and Borlas on my car, so far I’ve not received a second look.


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You must be lucky where you live Jeff. They had mobile spot checks set up all the time here in OC. Well at least before this COVID 19 happened.

I purchased an aftermarket exhaust as well. Fully legal with DB silencer and spark arrester. And it has the stamp. CA is still really tough on exhaust noise depending on the city you are riding through. Laguna Beach and Seal Beach have zero tolerance policy for modified exhaust and/or removing EPA smog equipment. And the motor cops know just what to look for. A simple tap on the catalytic converter can verify if it has been gutted.

Only the rider can decide the risk they are willing to take and how deep the pocketbook is. I just don't want the hassle.
 

Sierra1

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. . . . Can't wait to see the ElectraGlide races!
Since you mentioned it. I was fortunate enough to get some track training with the Honda ST. Ft Worth PD had access to a local track. They were teaching how to "hang off" in the curves. It wasn't an issue for any bike. . . . but, the HD. It was the only bike there that had a "wrap around" seat. Poor guys. In their defense, it's not what the bike was designed for.

The Honda did ok. I was able to take my kid's FJR on the track that day. The FJR's heavy slow speed steering, was fan-f'n-tastick at speed. Way better than the Honda.
 
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ballisticexchris

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I used to go to the local 1/8 mile speedway races. Once every season they had the Harley riders come out and do a few laps. Good lord it was a hoot to watch those bikes slide out of control!!
 

tntmo

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I used to go to the local 1/8 mile speedway races. Once every season they had the Harley riders come out and do a few laps. Good lord it was a hoot to watch those bikes slide out of control!!
Yeah, I think I have heard of them doing "Dresser Class" at the one up in Orange County. I should go check it out whenever they open again.
 

WJBertrand

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That is the problem with the EPA. They can care less about a modification that does not create pollution. They use a blanket system that requires stringent rules aganist any kind of modification to smog equipment




You must be lucky where you live Jeff. They had mobile spot checks set up all the time here in OC. Well at least before this COVID 19 happened.

I purchased an aftermarket exhaust as well. Fully legal with DB silencer and spark arrester. And it has the stamp. CA is still really tough on exhaust noise depending on the city you are riding through. Laguna Beach and Seal Beach have zero tolerance policy for modified exhaust and/or removing EPA smog equipment. And the motor cops know just what to look for. A simple tap on the catalytic converter can verify if it has been gutted.

Only the rider can decide the risk they are willing to take and how deep the pocketbook is. I just don't want the hassle.
Well I’m no stranger to the OC, grew up there attended both La Habra and Sunny Hills High Scools, graduated from Cal State Fullerton and lived in Mission Viejo prior to relocating to Ventura. All those places you mention are my stomping grounds. Still visit friends there.


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ballisticexchris

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Wow!! Right on Jeff. I live right around the corner from Ralph B Clarke park.
 

Sierra1

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. . . . Good lord it was a hoot to watch those bikes slide out of control!!
Wrong tool for the job. Harley's are at their best when you have a 100 or so pairs doing a procession. You can actually feel the exhaust when you get that many together. I think Chris Kyle's procession was the largest that I've been in.
 

AVGeek

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I miss Costa Meas Speedway, I had season tickets for a while, before we left California in 2007. We used to have an early dinner at Wingnuts, then head over to the fairgrounds...
 
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ballisticexchris

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I used to go to the speedway every weekend. Ironically the bikes were pretty quiet. Just the smell of alcohol was intoxicating!!
 
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