EPA New Ruling (long Post)
by "Elmer McKeegan" <mckeegan@[EMAIL PROTECTED] >  May 31, 2004 at 11:33 AM

EPA for the Layman

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation's (MRF) Review of the EPA's Emissions
Regulations for Highway Motorcycles for 49 States (except California )
issued in December, 2003

In December of 2000, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) learned that
the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was proposing
California-style emissions standards for the rest of the country for all
motorcycles, street and off-road models, in a single rulemaking process.
The
MRF, working with our Supporting State Motorcyclists' Rights Organizations
(SMROs), was instrumental in having street motorcycles removed from that
process in September, 2001 and placed into a separate EPA "proposed rule."

The MRF and SMROs continued to work diligently to impact the final rule
through the comment period and into the rule approval process. For a
complete chronological review of the many steps taken by the MRF, visit
our
website at www.mrf.org/epa.php.

The EPA issued their final emissions regulations for highway motorcycles
for
49 states on December 23, 2003. These new regulations will become
effective
in stages, starting in 2006 and harmonizing with California 's standards
in
2010. You can view the entire 49-page EPA rule by visiting their website
at
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-AIR/2004/January/Day-15/a006.pdf.
While
this
new rule dramatically reduces tail pipe emissions, there are some
exemptions
written into it for kit bikes, custom motorcycles, and small volume
makers.

The MRF does not believe that the exemptions are broad enough or that the
rules, as written, fulfill the needs of highway motorcyclists, the small
volume makers and the aftermarket. We fully intend to continue to work for
revision of some parts of the rules.

Here we present some of the most frequently asked questions from street
riders and an explanation of what the rules will mean to you. This
explanation does not apply to California.

What will this new EPA rule mean to me?

If you are going to buy a new motorcycle at your local dealer, the only
things you may notice are that by the 2006 model year, most motorcycles
will
come with fuel injection and will require special diagnostic tools for
service work. Some may have catalytic converters in the exhaust pipes.
Both
are in use in some models already. There has been no change to the
"anti-tampering" provision of the Clean Air Act.

How will this rule affect the motorcycles I already own?

These new EPA regulations only apply to motorcycles built for 2006 and
later. You will not be required to retrofit your current motorcycles to
make
them comply with the new rules.

Can I modify the engine or exhaust on my 2006 or later motorcycle?

The new EPA rule contains the same language that the old rule contained
about this subject - modifying your motorcycle's engine or exhaust is
considered "tampering." The Clean Air Act, Section 203(a) states that it
is
illegal, "for any person to remove or render inoperative any device or
element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle in compliance with
regulations under this title prior to its sale and delivery to the
ultimate
purchaser or after such sale and delivery to the ultimate purchaser."

Can I still build my own custom motorcycle?

Starting in 2006, it will be legal for you to build your own custom
motorcycle. In the new EPA rules this is called a "kit bike" and it will
not
have be to tested to verify that it conforms to the new emissions
standards.
There are, however, some very specific rules that will apply to your kit
bike.

  a.. You are only allowed one emissions-exempt kit bike in your lifetime.
  b.. You may not sell your once-in-a-lifetime emissions-exempt kit bike
for
five years after its final assembly.
  c.. You may have someone else assemble your kit bike for you as long as
you have purchased the components prior to the start of the assembly.
  d.. You cannot build your kit bike by modifying a factory-built
motorcycle
that was certified to meet EPA emissions standards. You must start with a
new engine and frame.
  e.. Under the existing rule, all kit bikes are supposed to be tested and
certified to meet the 1979 EPA rules.
  f.. An EPA-exempt kit bike can be used on the road without any travel
restrictions.
What is meant by "one exempt kit bike for a lifetime?"

This refers to the wording of the new EPA rule that allows for the
construction of your kit bike and it refers to your lifetime. You are
allowed one EPA-exempt kit motorcycle that has no restrictions on how and
where it may be used under this rule. The exemption is for the motorcycle
owner's lifetime.  When and if a new rule comes out that addresses engine
certification, the lifetime exemption may be rewritten.

Do I have to assemble my EPA exempt kit bike myself?

No, you do not have to assemble your kit bike yourself. You can pay
someone
else to assemble your kit bike after you purchase the "kit" or components
that will be assembled into the final motorcycle.

Can I build EPA-exempt kit bikes and sell them?

Under this rule, building EPA-exempt kit bikes and selling them to other
people would not be allowed. The ultimate owner must own the components
before the assembly process begins. You can build as many kit bikes as
there
are people who are willing to pay you to assemble their components. People
or businesses that purchase kit bikes to assemble and then sell them are
not
covered under this exemption, but may be able to use the "custom
motorcycle"
exemption explained later in this document.

What happens if my EPA-exempt kit bike is wrecked or stolen?

The way this new EPA rule is written now, you would not be able to replace
your stolen or destroyed EPA-exempt motorcycle. You are only allowed one
EPA-exempt kit bike in your lifetime under the new EPA rule.

What if a court orders me to sell my EPA-exempt motorcycle?

Under this federal law, you are not allowed to sell your EPA-exempt kit
bike
for five years after the date of final assembly, even in case of death,
bankruptcy, or divorce. After five years, your EPA-exempt motorcycle can
be
sold. If you do sell your EPA-exempt kit bike, you will not be allowed to
own another exempt kit motorcycle.

Will I be able to build my one EPA-exempt motorcycle whenever I choose?

That is going to depend on how the EPA looks at the data California brings
to the process in 2006. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has
similar rules that take effect in 2004 and will be up for review in 2006.
The EPA is planning to review this data and other exemptions when CARB
reviews the effectiveness of their regulations. When that review is
completed, the EPA may choose to regulate all motorcycle engine
manufacturers at that time so that all engines, including those built by
the
aftermarket industry, will be required to meet the EPA's emissions
standards
when they leave the factory. If they decide on that course of action, they
feel the exemption for kit bikes will no longer be needed because there
will
only be EPA-compliant engines available for builders. The California
process
will not have anything to do with the exemption.  When and if the EPA sets
standards for engines, the kit exemption would likely go away.

Are there any other exemptions that might affect me?

There is one other type of exemption that will apply to riders, and that
is
the "custom motorcycle" (CM). This is like the kit bike in that it does
not
have to meet the EPA emissions standards, but different in several other
important ways. A builder may build 24 or fewer per year and sell them
commercially by notifying the EPA and including a tag somewhere on the
motorcycle stating: THIS MOTORCYCLE IS EXEMPT FROM EPA EMISSIONS
REQUIREMENTS. ITS USE ON PUBLIC ROADS IS LIMITED PURSUANT TO 40 CFR
86.407-78(c). The 25th and all subsequent motorcycles built that year by
that builder must all comply with the new emissions standards. An
individual
can own as many of the CM exemption motorcycles as he/she can afford.
However, there are severe restrictions on how and where they can be used
on
the roads. Use on public roads is limited to display purposes, such as
traveling to and from motorcycle shows. This could be a show in your
hometown or a show on the other side of the country. The distance does not
matter, only the reason for the travel.

Do I have to buy the components for my CM before the assembly starts?

No, the builder can buy all the parts and build the motorcycle before
he/she
even has a customer for it. However, when done in this manner, the travel
restrictions will apply to this motorcycle for as long as this rule is in
effect. The motorcycle will have to comply with the restrictions on public
road use.

Will there be limits on how many miles I can ride my CM?

No, the only limitation is the display purpose clause. The CM is not
supposed to be used as a daily ride; it is intended to be a show bike that
can only be ridden to shows or displays.

Where can I obtain additional copies of this document?

You can download and print as many copies of this document as you need by
visiting the MRF website at www.mrf.org/epa.php and scrolling down to the
link entitled "EPA For The Layman." There is access to a downloadable pdf
version of this document located at the bottom of that page.

Who should I contact for more information about the new EPA rule?

Dave Dwyer
MRF Government Relations Assistant
dad@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 
Elmer McKeegan

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