Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/143897
Californians to get catalytically equipped motorcycles SACRAMENTO, CA, DEG 1 In a somewhat unexpected move, the California Air Resources Board ignored the protests of the motorcycling world and ruled that beginning ~n 1984, motorcycles over 280cc must meet an emissions standard five times tougher than U.S. Environmental Protection Agency levels. The decision - following an Oct. 28 hearing at which members of the motorcycle industry, motorcycling press and the AMA protested the proposed C.A.R.B. standard - will mean that a great percentage of the large-displacement 1984 motorcycles sold in California will be equipped .with catalytic converters. Currently set at 2.5 grams per kilometer, the 1984 California hydrocarbon emissions level will drop to I g/km for over-28Occ motorcycles. The federal hydrocarbon standard is 5 g/km. GA.R.B. did, however, grant a concession to smaller manufacturers, allowing companies selling fewer than 5,000 motorcycles per year in California an additional three years to meet the I-gram standard. But, after that three-year period, HarleyDavidson and the European manufacturers also will be expected to comply with the emissions level. A C.A.R.B. staff report recommending the strict standard showed little sensitivity to questions of rider safety raised by the AMA during the October hearing. At that time, AMA pointed to the possibilities of firts when gasoline (which ignites at about 5800) contacts the hot catalytic converter (operating at up to 1,800°), burns to operators and cornering difficulties caused by the oversized exhaust pipes. Without indicating that any tests have ever been conducted by GA.R.B. staff to back up their contentions, the report concluded that heat shields, insulation and double-wall tubing can be used to make catalytic converters safe for motorcyclists. As for the costs of equipping California-only models with catalytic converters - a cost placed at up to $650 per motorcycle by one man ufacturer - C.A.R.B. suggested that motorcycle makers distribute the increased costs of research, tooling and production among all 50 states. In essence, this could mean that purchasers of new motorcycles in Florida would be helping to make southern California's air marginally cleaner. The motorcycling community feels that GA.R.B. failed to develop a realistic cost/benefit analysis of the hydrocarbon standard, neglecting to accurately weight the minuscule improvement in air quality against such considerations as increased costs to consumers and manufacturers, the loss of state revenue in registration fees, the loss of motorcycle-related businesses and safety and durability problems associated with catalytic devices on motorcycles. Because the California Air Resources Board had proven to be unresponsive to motorcyclists and motorcycle manufacturers, the AMA urges riders to contact their state assemblymen and senators, as well as Governor-elect George Deukmejian, to protest GA.R.B.'s insensitivity to the special problems of motorcycling. Letters can be addressed to those individuals at the State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814. • HI-PO/NT RACE JERSEYS , CHOlet MAGO~;tv'G G£.AR of RII /s HI-POIN l'. til-POINT IN SO/50" SO/50 VENTED FEATI.//CE ALL TEAM N4tr1ES MXHELMETS FULL COVERAG E. ~ 'TE~M COL-ORS RED DOT TIRES PR.OVEN WINNERS IN ALL POPULI1R Sl2ES \ n.-N.nD ~D 3709 W. Erie Ave .• Lorain, OH 44053 2650H Mercantile Dr.. Rancho Cordova. CA 95670 "eDt> f'Ot?S" r-.t>\J\..1' ~ tAl\'II\ £.\2e.£> CHAMPion MORIWAKI·U~S.fi. Dominates Budweiser Superbike G.P. - November 28, 1982 Willow Springs, CA 1 st HARRY KLlNZMANN Champion Moriwaki Kawasaki 2nd EARL ROLOFF Jr. Champion Moriwaki Kawasaki 3rd ROBERTO PIETRI Factory Honda Write: CHAMPION MORIWAKI-U.S.A. Moriwaki Magic Can Be Yours Too 1980 Harbor Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Or Call: (714) 642-2040