California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 435, mandating muffler to frame-label matching for all motorcycles 2013 and up. This spells the death knell to new ground-up custom motorcycles and special constructions unless the law is amended in future session. It will also require all manufacturers of exhaust systems in California to manufacture year-specific mufflers, with markings to match certifying compliance with EPA and CARB rules if they want to sell their products legally in California.
However, the proof of compliance will be on the motorcyclist. A first violation could result in a fine of $50 to $100 — a fix-it ticket that can be dismissed with proof of correction. Subsequent offenses would result in fines of $100 to $250.
The law is clearly discriminatory towards motorcyclists, if an automobile driver needs to replace his muffler or catalytic convertor he can run down to a hundred or more muffler shops for dozens of choices without being subjected to penalty, a motorcyclist is restricted to original equipment replacement mufflers only. There is only one aftermarket manufacturer to date that is making replacement mufflers that meet the standard, BUB.
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