[Trapper]

May be of interest to you,

BIKERS-DO YOU LOVE YOUR RIDE?
HAVE YOU CHANGED ANYTHING ON IT?
THEN YOU MUST READ THIS

Join Operation Wrench or throw away your wrenches. It is up to
you. For those of you who think we are crying the sky is falling; you had
better take a closer look at what the EPA is proposing for motorcycles; and
an even closer look at the things you love about your ride. When your bike
came off the line it lacked a lot of things. A few changes in carb and cams
and a little customizing made it your bike. That's part of our culture; our
bikes are our love, our hobby, an extension of our expression, and a part of
our being as well as a drain on our family budgets. However, if EPA has
their way it will be a part of our history that we tell our Grandchildren
about. No longer will the family garage be a place of learning and bonding
between parents and their kids while they tinker on their bike. Their goal
seems to be a California like emission, consideration of anti-tampering or
prohibiting modifications. What you buy off the line is what you get; and oh
yeah when you need work done on it, it will be back to the manufacturer with
market prices being whatever they want. There will no longer be basket
cases. Just crates from the factory. While you are out there in the wind
enjoying the performance of your bike or thinking it could use some
adjustment; think about this and make a personal commitment to help us fight
EPA. Unfortunately this is going to be more of an uphill fight than ever
before.
The EPA has won the first battle DIVIDE AND CONQUER!
AMA has decided to try to work with EPA and settle for compromises.
The Executive Board of Illinois Abate and the MRF are committed we are going to stand and fight. We
will not compromise our bikes and our culture. We know what this fight might
cost, but what we lack in dollars, we make up for in heart and dedication.
So Operation Wrench is launched. And it is our intention to toss a monkey
wrench into the plans of the EPA. The plan is to start with a large public
awareness campaign. It will begin with each of you. Talk to every person you
ride with. Every rider you come across at a stop sign, parking lot or
tavern. You're gonna have to care, and in turn make them care about what is
going to happen. Start a conversation with anyone and everyone. Don't assume
even that your fellow members of Abate or any other club or organization you
may belong to has read any articles or MRF bulletins. Instead assume that
they have no idea of what is going on. The EPA is still accepting public
comments. We are urging everyone to send a postcard stating you oppose the
restrictions of proposed RULE ANPRM A2000-01 on dirt bikes, ATVs and
Motorcycles.

Send these cards to:
CHRISTIE TODD WHITMAN ADMINISTRATOR
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
1200 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. N.W.
WASHINGTON DC.
20460

If you find a motorcyclist, an aftermarket producer or custom shop who
haven't written in, urge them to do so. Suggest they read the public
comments filed by ABATE of Illinois (abate-il.org ) and the Motorcycle
Riders Foundation (www.mrf.org ). Sometime this fall, EPA will publish a
proposed rule. Around the New Year, EPA will publish a final rule. In short,
action to break the EPA chokehold should be in full swing now and through
the rest of this year. We must recruit an army to protect our freedom. The
emissions from our rides are minimal, less than a lawnmower in fact. The EPA
should look to us and take note that we have the fuel efficient, economical
means of transportation that more people should be encouraged to use. If you
want to advance our rights and safeguard our lifestyle, the course is clear.
Write to aftermarket producers whose products you buy. Tell them about the
treat to their business and your freedom. Visit custom shops in your area.
Explain the threat. Urge them to get involved. While you are at these shops
and bars or any other areas the Motorcycling community frequents; tell them
we are planning an awareness campaign and ask if they would permit us to put
up posters and information at their place of business. Our movement was born
in freedom. The Freedom to ride what we want. The Freedom to go where we
dream. The freedom to wear what we like. If you don?t act now, with a
resolve to fight this battle and the conviction to win, we can dream all we
want and wear what we like. But our rides will be nothing but old
photographs.

YOU CAN CHANGE THAT!
MAKE COPIES OF THIS LETTER.
Put it up in places that you frequent. Hand them to everyone you talk to and tell them to make copies and do the same-everywhere!!

 

[LayinLo]

I'm addressing cards now!!!!



Thanks Trapper.

 

[inspiron]

Only in the land of the free...Is this what you are fighting for? Is this what thousands of brave people are risking their lives to defend?

Maybe if corporate america would get their act together and stop pumping so much trash into the atmosphere, and they would offer the american consumers a real alternatives (stop selling SUVs and family cars with V6 and V8 engines - a 4 cylinder 1.6L would be sufficient for 90% of the driving population), then the air-quality problem would be resolved. And what about those damn loud leaf-blowers with dirty 2-stroke engines - how about pulling out a rake and using the muscles that God gave us?

:roll:

 

[Trapper]

Only in the land of the free...Is this what you are fighting for? Is this what thousands of brave people are risking their lives to defend?

Maybe if corporate america would get their act together and stop pumping so much trash into the atmosphere, and they would offer the american consumers a real alternatives (stop selling SUVs and family cars with V6 and V8 engines - a 4 cylinder 1.6L would be sufficient for 90% of the driving population), then the air-quality problem would be resolved. And what about those damn loud leaf-blowers with dirty 2-stroke engines - how about pulling out a rake and using the muscles that God gave us?

:roll:

Must you turn every thread into a USA bashing thread? :roll: :roll:

 

[jaydog19833]

Every year I'm agreeing more and more with inspirion but let's keep it on topic with this plot against the EPA. I'm on that trappercase.

 

[Hunter]

And what about those damn loud leaf-blowers with dirty 2-stroke engines - how about pulling out a rake and using the muscles that God gave us?

:roll:

Very true.

The only good part about my weedeater is the people that live across the street drink allot and if you make any noise before 11am they get pissed off. So when they have been up all night long drinking and making noise with their friends out side "keeping my son up". :evil: I like to get up real early and mow the lawn and trim my weeds. Some days I mow it two times just so the lawn will look really good. :mrgreen:

The funny thing is they will come over to tell you at 11am, do you have to mow your lawn right now...WTF is up with that :!: ,,,GO away, get a life, close your bedroom window, stop drinking, move, get out of my yard, call the cops.

I told the Cop "really nice fella" that lives behind him about this. He took the muffler off of his weedeater and will go out between 6:30-7am and trim his weeds first thing in the morning after they have been drinking, LMFAO. It sounds like a chainsaw.. REEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN, RENNNNN,, REEENNNN,,,REEEENNNN,,,,RENNNNNN RENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. He always does along the fence by their bedroom windows first :roll:

The Cop said that I should offer to mow the guys lawn the next time he comes over :twisted:

 

[inspiron]

Must you turn every thread into a USA bashing thread? :roll: :roll:

I didn't mean to go off doing USA bashing ... my comment was more geared toward the EPA, who again are limiting the rights and freedoms of the "little guy" instead of going after the real criminals: Dirty industries.

Tell Joe Blow that he can't mod his bike anymore: What happens? Nothing. Tell Mr Big that he has to reduce CO2 levels in his factories: What happens? He'll invest millions for the other candidate at the next election.

That alone is in no way USA specific - it happens all over the world.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

For starters, I've heard that the EPA is working on a law that reduces emissions on motorcycles, but I'm not sure it involves a no-wrench rule. Secondly, Christie Todd Whitman is NOT hte director of the EPA anymore . . . she resigned almost a year ago. I'm going to look into this (it's what I do for a living, believe it or not) and report back. Something sounds propaganda-fishy to me. I'll be back later with some more comments, once I get up to speed.

<there is no way that they can make you send your bike back to the manufacturer for repairs . . . that's just stupid>

[EDIT: Inspiron: It ain't exactly the manufacturer's fault when it comes to the SUVs and stuff. Consumer demand drives product development. The problem has mroe to do with our lop-sided economy and the fact that 1/3 of the country has money (or credit) to burn, 1/3 has nothing (mostly due to their own laziness) and the other 1/3 is like me: too 'poor' to do/own anything really nice, yet too 'rich' to get scholarships and stuff. . . . and you're right: 'Mercans need to use their backs (and brains) much more often. I have a hand edger (laugh it up) that I use. Works the lats pretty good, and it never breaks down. It's about nine years old.]

 

[Superbird]

Screw the EPA they tried to take my road runner away... Just say No to EGR

 

[sunny]

i have been under the impression that the epa stuff was a done deal years ago.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

I read the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. While they do mention that they would like input regarding engine modifications, I don't see where they say they will ban mods. I see where they say what the manufacturers have to offer up for purchase, and it looks exactly like what the California Air Resouces Board has been doing for the last 3-5 years. It's a pretty long document, so I'll have to read it more thoroughly to get the full take.

Basically, I can summarize as follows:
1) The changes proposed are probably going to be some sort of add-on emissions control system and a some type of engine calibration (i.e. catalytic converters and/or timing calibration for lower tailpipe emissions);
2) These things are easily removed (a re-map and a new tailpipe should do);
3) The only people that would have to worry about being caught would most likeyl be the folks that live in big cities that have EPA-mandated Inspection and Maintenance programs; and
4) It has been illegal to modify your tailpipe to make it louder for MANY years. Who abides by that rule?

It is MUCH easier to catch the straight-pipers for violating federal law than it is to catch a guy that's removed the PAIR system from his Bandit, and they ain't putting a stop to all the extra racket coming from the HDs, so why would we think they'd actually catch us for removing a part that they don't recognize in the first place?


I would recommend writing to the EPA though. As voters, we have a say. It may be a bastardized representation of what it should be, in that the only reason they'll listen is because they fear getting voted out in the future, but the system, still works somewhat. Write them. Tell them. Offer up solutions and alternatives (they hate that). Point out inconsistencies (they love that . . . gives 'em fodder for their next cannon). Get those letters out.


[EDIT: The aftermarket parts will always be available. Even now many have some sort of "For Racing Purposes Only" CYA BS on them anyway. They'll jsut keep on selling them, and we'll keep on modding.]

[EDIT2: Stephen L. Johnson, Acting Administrator]

 

[viper94bite]

"Doing a quick google search turned up that this proposed rule is 4 years old and doesn't apply to street-use motorcycles. Also, the time for public comment ended in Feb. 2001."

This is quoted from another forum that I mentioned this in.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Loud dirty polluting motorcycles = Good

Clean Air = Bad

Is this what you're saying ?

Read the proposed amendements, they aren't that bad. Basically their asking that bikes use the same technology that has been used on every new car for the last ten years.

People still work on their cars, just use different tools to do so. So you won't have a choke knob ? Is that so bad. Everybody reading this is using a computer, basically wasting the potential the computer has to better serve us. A couple of computer chips is going to ruin your life ?

They are assuming when saying that you won't be able to wrench on your bike that you are computer illiterate and will be unable to address ECU module problems.

This in 2005 ( I'm still waiting for the flying cars to show up at my local dealer ) I think most here can move on in life without a carburator.

Oh sure we can put our heads in the sand or point the finger at others that may indeed pollute more than we do.

Embracing the technology that'll make our bikes more pleasant to ride ( everybody is raving about how good the throttle response of the C50 with FI is over the Volusia's carbs ) and be trend setters when it comes to leaving a better legacy to our children.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

"Doing a quick google search turned up that this proposed rule is 4 years old and doesn't apply to street-use motorcycles. Also, the time for public comment ended in Feb. 2001."

This is quoted from another forum that I mentioned this in.

Read again. Highway Motorcycles in in the title of hte document and they are mentioned in several places throughout.

Yes, it is four years old, and yes, the public comment period has closed for THIS portion of the rulemaking process. I'd still write those letters, but I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about it.

 

[Superbird]

Loud dirty polluting motorcycles = Good

Clean Air = Bad

Is this what you're saying ?

Read the proposed amendements, they aren't that bad. Basically their asking that bikes use the same technology that has been used on every new car for the last ten years.

People still work on their cars, just use different tools to do so. So you won't have a choke knob ? Is that so bad. Everybody reading this is using a computer, basically wasting the potential the computer has to better serve us. A couple of computer chips is going to ruin your life ?

They are assuming when saying that you won't be able to wrench on your bike that you are computer illiterate and will be unable to address ECU module problems.

This in 2005 ( I'm still waiting for the flying cars to show up at my local dealer ) I think most here can move on in life without a carburator.

Oh sure we can put our heads in the sand or point the finger at others that may indeed pollute more than we do.

Embracing the technology that'll make our bikes more pleasant to ride ( everybody is raving about how good the throttle response of the C50 with FI is over the Volusia's carbs ) and be trend setters when it comes to leaving a better legacy to our children.

Preety much.... Screw the clean air..... Ill be damed if they add all that EGR crap that they put in todays cars... Im happy with as they are now. There just a engine not much to restric it.

 

[Uncle Bob]

As the meatman has said, those that want to mod their bikes will find ways to do so. The other 90 percent who never come close to tapping into the full potential of their stock bike will have the knowledge of knowing that they can claim to ride a "green" vehicle.

Hell you aren't following the rules anyhow so why do you care if they change them ?

 

[inspiron]

My bike has EFI ... no carbs, and very responsive. But, there is no regulation or equipment on the bike that is there just to stop me from tuning it.

There are laws in place that set certain restrictions - the bike can't be too loud, the mirrors must conform to a minimum size requirement, the headlight must be adjusted properly, etc. But that doesn't stop me from putting in a TRE, a K&N air filter, or a PowerCommander if I choose, or replacing the exhaust with a street-legal after-market product.

This isn't happening just in motors - Microsoft has planned to introduce new technologies to prevent people from using unlicensed software on their computers, under the guise that it will help prevent the spread of viruses. All they are trying to do is increase their stranglehold on the market, making software developers pay for Microsoft's seal of approval before they can bring any new software on the market.

 

[Louis]

Hell you aren't following the rules anyhow so why do you care if they change them ?

Good point!

 

[md2lgyk]

Most of the mods folks make to their bikes (performance-wise) are already illegal, so what's the big deal? That doesn't seem to have stopped anybody.

 

[sunny]

ok. let me get this straight.
i rejetted the carb and switched from the stock airbox to a pod air filter to stop the loud backfires my savage had, and this is illegal?