CARB & COMPLIANCE

Emissions Notice

California regulates motorcycle aftermarket parts that have the potential to impact emissions. Under California Vehicle Code section 27156(c), the law states that: No person shall install, sell, offer for sale, or advertise any device, apparatus, or mechanism intended for use with, or as a part of, a required motor vehicle pollution control device or system that alters or modifies the original design or performance of the motor vehicle pollution control device or system.

In many cases, the sale and use of emissions related to aftermarket parts on motorcycles is prohibited unless it is either a “replacement part” as defined by California or the specific application has been granted an exemption as reflected in an Executive Order (EO Part).

Replacement Parts

“Replacement Part” means any aftermarket part intended to replace an original equipment emissions-related part and which is functionally identical to the original equipment part in the respects which in any way affect emissions (including durability) or a consolidated part. These parts are appropriate for sale and use on motorcycles used on or off the public highways. For aftermarket exhaust and other parts, there are two applicable scenarios:

1. If the motorcycle’s stock exhaust system does not contain a catalytic converter, then an aftermarket exhaust part is a replacement part as long as the part does not remove or replace any emission control equipment originally attached to the stock exhaust system, such as oxygen sensors, and it does not require tuning of the fuel system to be used.

2. If the motorcycle’s stock exhaust system contains a catalytic converter in the manifold section of the stock exhaust system, then an aftermarket muffler positioned downstream from the catalytic converter (i/e. cat-black) is a replacement part as long as the part does not remove or replace any emission control equipment originally attached to the stock exhaust system.

Executive Order Parts

Executive Order Parts are aftermarket parts that ARB has evaluated and determined do not adversely impact emissions and thereby are granted an Executive Order (EO), which allows the part to be sold and used on specified motorcycles (exemption from the prohibitions in VC 27156 and 38391). Any aftermarket critical emission control part (including exhaust systems, ECU, and oxygen sensors) that replaces or otherwise impacts emission control equipment, including catalytic converters, requires an EO to be sold and used on a motorcycle used on or off a public highway.

Competition Use Only Parts

Competition Use Only Parts may not be sold or used on a motorcycle that is used on or off the public highways other than those motorcycles used exclusively for competition. Competition Use Only Parts are aftermarket parts that replace or otherwise interfere with the operation of an emission control device, such as a catalytic converter or oxygen sensor, and may be sold and used on a motorcycle that is used only for closed course competition.