A More In-Your-Face take on this EPA shit
Sen. Campbell and others who think of the EPA legislation concerningmotorcycles as an issue of clean air, really need to wake up.
My name is Stan Alt and I went to Washington DC to talk with the EPA, someSenators, Congressmen and others. I did this at the request of the MRFbecause I am the founder of the ISA ( Independent Shop Association) whichconsists of 48 independent motorcycle shops in Wisconsin. Plus, I had ownedand operated an independent motorcycle shop myself for a number of years.
To keep it short and simple — I told them the same thing I’m tellingyou… If you change the emissions on cars and trucks by 1/100th of apercent, the reduction of fuel emissions generated would be greater thaneliminating all the motorcycles.
So what’s really up, and why does Harley-Davidson put out a reportencouraging this change in emission standards? Maybe it’s a lot simpler thanyou think. Money!
The results of this EPA move would:
1.) Make it, if not impossible then nearly impossible for the smallindependent builder to build motorcycles.
2.) It would severely limit engine modifications, there-by affectingaftermarket parts suppliers like CCI, Drag Specialties and so on.
3.) Restrict service on motorcycles to those few shops that can afford theequipment needed to maintain the emission standards, primarily franchisedealers.
4.) It would prevent personal modifications by the owner, even something assimple as changing cams and exhaust systems.
Now, why would H-D be all for this? My opinion is that it gets rid of theexpense that comes from competition. If you look back, there were only a fewmodels available to the motorcycle purchaser, then with the sixties came thechopper and the creative individualities of there owners. What resulted wasa boom in aftermarket parts suppliers and service which H-D was forced tocompete with. You remember the Eagle Iron parts that started showing up onthe franchisers shelves, don’t you?
If the law goes into effect there would be no need to provide modificationor upgrade kits that are now available from the franchise dealer. Why?Because the law would prohibit it. As the customized motorcycle disappearsso does the expense to produce a product year after year to compete with it.The manufacturer could also decrease the number of models knowing that thebuyer, if he/she desires to ride, will have to buy one of their models, asno one can affordably build something different for them.
Now back to Sen. Campbell and others who think they are doing a greatservice by proposing a delay as the answer. My hope is that they will fightto oppose the legislation. If cleaner air is what is needed why not go afterthe vehicles, cars and trucks, that create 99.99% of it. Fazing in an era ofpollution laws like the ones proposed will result only in the fazing out ofcreativity, individuality and a whole lifestyle and industry that I reallylike.
As a side note: I imagine it won’t take long for law enforcement to get theexhaust emissions machines for each squad car that would cause the removalfrom operation on streets and highways of any 2006 and newer motorcyclewho’s exhaust noise is louder then the clacking of the cams in it’s engine.
Thanks for the time you took to read this.
Stan Alt
ISA Founder and Coordinator
Stan@ISAinfo.com
This letter and some very comprehensive information on what the EPA is trying to do to us, along with some handouts is now on the site http://www.solrpa.com/issues.
Stop Victory Act ot Patriot Act II
No matter how you feel about Gov. Dean, Ashcroft must be stopped. Pleaseconsider passing this on after you sign the petition. Thank you. jeanijessen
This week, Attorney General Ashcroft is touring the country to build supportfor his Victory Act, which would expand the Patriot Act. Join me in taking astand against John Ashcroft s plans by clicking on the link below andsigning the petition to stop the passage of the Victory Act:http://www.deanforamerica.com/stopashcroft
After you ve signed the petition, forward this email on to everyone youknow. We all must stand together to demonstrate that the grassroots have thepower to take our country back.
Sincerely,
Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
Sept. 5-7 Ride To Freedom, Harrisburg, PA
For those thinking about riding to Harrisburg, PA Friday, September5th to be with ABATE of PA on Saturday, September 6th at 1:00 to help and’be there’ for the historic ceremonial signing of their ‘adult choice’ billat PA’s State Capital, here’s some updates:
1.) The ride is GROWING. Lots of interest coming in. MMA’s website(www.mma-of-ma.com) is updated with our route (thanks Vince and Andy).Major staging location Charlton Rest area on Mass Pike (I-90), departingthere at 9:00 a.m. FRIDAY, September 5th. Several people are planning onworking the prior Monday, Labor Day weekend to take that Friday off to ridewith us. We’ll be coming from Massachusetts, through CT, NY into PA. Sincewe don’t have a ‘choice’ (yet) in NY, no ‘stops in NY’ – but we’ll stop atExit 1 on I-84 to put our helmets on for 72.5 miles until we stop at about12:30 at Exit 11 in PA. NY riders, feel free to join in anywhere along thisRoute or stops.
2.) Two camping cabins left at the Jonestown KOA. Some campsites left.Need to ‘advance reserve’ sites BY AUGUST 20th. Then we have to cancelunbaked reserved sites to get our $$ back. Contact me with your intentions.Don’t need check in hand, your commitment is good enough.
Again, four people can stay at each site two nights for less than $25 perperson. Bring your own tents, sleeping bags, shower shoes, etc. Localcounty ABATE of PA chapter plans to ‘welcome’ and meet with us Friday night,then lead us to Harrisburg Saturday, leaving at 11:00 for the ‘good seats’in Harrisburg. Maybe a Party at the Campgrounds Saturday night, in supportof BIKE PAC, . . . PA’s political action committee for rider’s issues.
3.) Bill L. from CMA advises me hotels in the area are filling up. Besidesour event, some football game going on. He’s booked a room at the EconoLodge a few miles from the campsite in Altoona, PA, but says only two roomsleft there. He searched Orbit.com for Altoona, PA, several hotels in thearea.
4.) We are going, rain or shine. A few riders who can’t ride will join usin their cars/trucks to be there. That is kool. Likewise, a few otherriding couples are sharing, bike and car/truck, to make the trip. May beextra storage room in their vehicles.
5.) This is a MAJOR event for riders in the Northeast. Through ABATE ofPA and BIKE PAC, they WON. Massachusetts, Vermont, NY, NJ, MD, VA and WVA,who’s gonna be next? Let’s learn from them and ABATE of FL, and get ‘itdone’ in our States too! But September 5-7 is the TIME to BE in PA.
6.) Again, check out www.mma-of-ma.com for more info.
7.) Or, More details about the Gettysburg Ridehttp://www.abatepa.org/abate/legislation/press/lobby-readshaw.htm
Paul W. Cote
Massachusetts
If you need more info on this or any other subject just go to the Sons ofLiberty Riders Info Zonehttp://solrpa.com/wwwboard/ or http://www.solriders.net/
RIDE FOREVER,
Hawk
ICQ 34668186
AOL SoLRHawk