The EPA and Your Bike

Sen. Campbell and others who think of the EPA legislation concerning motorcycles as an issue of clean air, really need to wake up.

My name is Stan Alt and I went to Washington DC to talk with the EPA, some Senators, Congressmen and others. I did this at the request of the MRF because I am the founder of the ISA ( Independent Shop Association) which consists of 48 independent motorcycle shops in Wisconsin. Plus, I had owned and operated an independent motorcycle shop myself for a number of years.

To keep it short and simple --- I told them the same thing I'm telling you... If you change the emissions on cars and trucks by 1/100th of a
percent, the reduction of fuel emissions generated would be greater than eliminating all the motorcycles.

So what's really up and why does Harley-Davidson put out a report encouraging this change in emission standards? Maybe it's a lot simpler than
you think. Money!

The results of this EPA move would:
1.  Make it, if not impossible then nearly impossible for the small independent builder to build motorcycles.
2.  Severely limit engine modifications, there-by affecting aftermarket parts suppliers like CCI, Drag Specialties and so on.
3   Restrict service on motorcycles to those few shops that can afford the equipment needed to maintain the emission standards, primarily franchise dealers.
4.  Prevent personal modifications by the owner, even something as simple as changing cams and exhaust systems.

Now, why would H-D be all for this? My opinion is that it gets rid of the expense that comes from competition. If you look back, there were only a few models available to the motorcycle purchaser, then with the sixties came the chopper and the creative individualities of their owners. What resulted was a boom in aftermarket parts suppliers and service with which H-D was forced to compete. You remember the Eagle Iron parts that started showing up on the franchisers shelves, don't you?

If the law goes into effect there would be no need to provide modification or upgrade kits that are now available from the franchise dealer. Why?
Because the law would prohibit it. As the customized motorcycle disappears so does the expense to produce a product year after year to compete with it. The manufacturer could also decrease the number of models knowing that the buyer, if he/she desires to ride, will have to buy one of their models, as no one can affordably build something different for them.

Now back to Sen. Campbell and others who think they are doing a great service by proposing a delay as the answer. My hope is that they will fight to oppose the legislation. If cleaner air is what is needed why not go after the vehicles, cars and trucks, that create 99.99% of it. Phasing in an era of pollution laws like the ones proposed will result only in the phasing out of creativity, individuality and a whole lifestyle and industry that I really like.

As a side note: I imagine it won't take long for law enforcement to get the exhaust emissions machines for each squad car that would cause the removal from operation on streets and highways of any 2006 and newer motorcycle whose exhaust noise is louder then the clacking of the cams in it's engine.

Thanks for the time you took to read this.
Stan Alt
ISA Founder and Coordinator
Stan@ISAinfo.com