tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950664143576637249.post1264156707840647697..comments2024-03-22T18:01:20.065-05:00Comments on Geezer with a Grudge: The News . . . My WayT.W. Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04078254371483458356noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950664143576637249.post-49779068114819190582013-04-25T08:42:30.401-05:002013-04-25T08:42:30.401-05:00So many good points contained in one post. Excell...So many good points contained in one post. Excellent as always.<br /><br />It is always sad to see the ass-hattery that goes on in the spring when people take their bikes out of hibernation and promptly kill themselves. We see it here in Oregon to, to those that don't ride year round.Trobairitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950664143576637249.post-91317914776668283882013-04-24T21:04:15.341-05:002013-04-24T21:04:15.341-05:009/10ths of the cops I've had in ERC classes ha...9/10ths of the cops I've had in ERC classes have been riding illegal bikes. I'm not surprised they don't want to enforce the law. They probably don't know the law well enough to do much more than run speed traps and tag the occasional drunk. Still, it's not hard to tell when a pipe has been modified and if a cop believes the EPA-stamped pipe is not legal, then the noise measurement comes into to play. <br /><br />I don't have much sympathy for "vintage bike" owners. If they are really vintage and are running antique or collector plates, they aren't really legal on the streets. If there were a market for legal replacement pipes, someone or the OEMs would make them available. Old bikes pollute dozens of times over the legal levels for cars since the early 80s. There is no excuse for that. You can't ride a lawnmower on the street, either. <br /><br />Thanks for noticing the change. It's good to know I existed out there for a while. My philosophy is that I can read the industry handouts anywhere. Might as well be different. T.W. Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078254371483458356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950664143576637249.post-14515613883388987772013-04-24T20:48:26.643-05:002013-04-24T20:48:26.643-05:00I missed your column in the latest MMM. Nice to se...I missed your column in the latest MMM. Nice to see it here.<br /><br />You're right that sound measurement is hard to do properly and accurately. The last time I read the MN code they required the motorcycle muffler to meet the FMVS standard for noise (don't remember the standard number and I'm too lazy to look it up). That standard refers to an EPA test method which I recall is something in the region of 80 or 83 dB. One of the above standards requires that the compliance information be stamped on the or otherwise indelibly marked on the muffler in plain sight. On every bike I've owned for at least the last 25 years this stamp was plainly visible.<br /><br />Any MN licensed bike without such a label/stamp is in violation of the law. There are at least a couple down sides of enforcing this. Some classic bikes may have trouble finding an OEM replacement muffler for a restoration. Also, would not deal with people who modified their stock mufflers. If this was enforced in MN I'm sure that the hardley riders would start modifying their stock mufflers right away. Probably the squids too.<br /><br />Still, it may be worth a try. No new laws need to be passed, at least in MN. Several cops I've talked to are not very enthusiastic about enforcing this though. They'd rather catch speeders and other moving violations.Dale Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16237635931844104511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950664143576637249.post-56243731119350780452013-04-24T20:25:56.617-05:002013-04-24T20:25:56.617-05:00I've made a few noise measurements in my caree...I've made a few noise measurements in my career. It's not that easy to determine the noise level of a product when that measurement is made in an uncontrolled (street side) environment. In fact, it's impossible and totally contestable. The simple way to deal with the noise issue is the best and easiest to manage: if the pipe says it's not legal, it's not. If it says it is legal, it should not be modified. If it is modified, it's not legal. T.W. Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078254371483458356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5950664143576637249.post-22419904265878583712013-04-24T14:20:04.989-05:002013-04-24T14:20:04.989-05:00Thinking about the "no competition-only pipes...Thinking about the "no competition-only pipes" law, I feel like there's a simpler solution.<br /><br />Outfit random police cars with decibel meters, and start enforcing noise ordinances. It's not rocket science, and it doesn't require the passing of new laws. Those ordinances are there for a reason, and they already exist. Use those idiot electronic signs on the sides of every highway to advertise that you're going to start enforcing, and then do it.<br /><br />Hmm. Living in Massachusetts, I may need to write to my state rep. They might appreciate hearing "Yes, please, there are riders who WANT the law enforced!" for a change.Andy Mckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11381746284574559808noreply@blogger.com