Desmog and California

[UTAH INFANTRY]

I currently live in Utah, in the past I did the Desmog modification to my 98 Valkyrie.  I have a job that will most likely be taking me to California, will this modification give me problems in California, as far as emission testing? If you know or have an opinion on this subject let me know.

Thanks

[BigMac (SoCal)]

No it will not. California has no test for motorcycles. Sometime I hear that the DMV will give you a hassle if you try to register it but if you can go to AAA no problem.

Dave

[Paxton]

+1 on Dave's comment.

[Dorkman]

No smog test for motorcycles in California, however its still illegal to modify the emission control system or even the mufflers.  Not likely you will ever get called on the emission control system unless you irritate a very picky trooper.  Enforcement for modified pipes varies from place to place, but again act reasonable and it shouldn't be a problem.

[Farther]

however its still illegal to modify ....... even the mufflers. 

I don't think your information is correct.  Mufflers are not part of the emission system.

[sandy]

however its still illegal to modify ....... even the mufflers. 

I don't think your information is correct.  Mufflers are not part of the emission system.

Sorry, mufflers are part of emissions. They control back pressure which affects airflow. Another issue in CA. If the vin number shows it to be a 49 state bike, CA might refuse to register it and order you to sell it out of state. It happened to a friend of mine last year.

[Paxton]

sandy;
You are correct, a DMV thorough inspection would keep a 49er out of California.   That is why I never go to DMV...
I always use the services of the AAA system. 

AAA appears unfamiliar with these issues as applicable to M/C's. Four of my bikes, including my Standard are not California bikes. ???
Yet, at AAA the attendant always comes out to the bike, records the VIN and the engine numbers and you get the California registration
and the license plate on the spot... no questions asked... all in 15 minutes.

Beware, if you take a 49er to DMV and after "diggin' they find it unsuitable, it would go into DMV's records and you
might as well take her back to OHIO.

[Farther]

I can only speak from personal experience but I have purchased five vehicles including my non-CA Valkyrie out of state and had no problem licensing/registering the vehicles through my local DMV.  My understanding is the vehicles have to have in excess of 7000 miles on the odometer and pass the smog check and since there is no smog check for motorcycles, it was a non-issue registering the Valkyrie.

[Dorkman]

I can only speak from personal experience but I have purchased five vehicles including my non-CA Valkyrie out of state and had no problem licensing/registering the vehicles through my local DMV.  My understanding is the vehicles have to have in excess of 7000 miles on the odometer and pass the smog check and since there is no smog check for motorcycles, it was a non-issue registering the Valkyrie.

Ditto that.  My Valk Standard is a 49 state bike with smog equipment intact.  No problem registering at local DMV...didn't even look at the bike.  They have lines going out the door.  The 7500 mile (or less that 2 year old) deal came about, per my recollection, to prohibit folks from bring in new vehicles to California without the smog equipment required by our SPECIAL state, and avoiding some taxes as well.

Not sure if you have to be a member of AAA to do a registration, or if they are required to service anyone who walks through the door.

[Paxton]

"...  Not sure if you have to be a member of AAA to do a registration, or if they are required to service anyone who walks through the door."

DORKMAN;
You must be a AAA member to use their services.

[CoachDoc]

+1 on being able to register a 49 state Valk in California. It is NOT a problem unless you're talking about a brand new vehicle.......hence the mileage reference.

[art]

My valk is up for sale in socal now at my sons dealership and he said there will be no problem registering it even though it is desmoged.

[UTAH INFANTRY]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INSIDE INFO ON THIS.

UTAH

[Farther]

My valk is up for sale in socal now at my sons dealership and he said there will be no problem registering it even though it is desmoged.

Hey Art:
Are you getting another bike?

[mike4sho]

The rune I bought was out of state and I had to take it to the DMV.  All they checked was the vin, the emission's sticker and engine number.  You won't have any problems as long as the motorcycle has over 7000 miles.  They do this to prevent people from buying vehicles out of state to avoid sales taxes..at least that's my understanding.

As for the muffler, California (I think last year) passed a law that any exhaust purchased after 2014 has to have a California sticker saying the exhaust meets California standards. 

My experience was AAA would not register an out of state of vehicle because it has to be verified by the DMV people.