In 1972 David Rash had a problem. He could not find the Exhaust Pipe he needed for his race bike. He knew that the proper exhaust for his engine configuration would give him an edge over his competition. However, no such pipe was available. So he did the only thing he could do.
He fabricated his own pipe.
Forty years and 250,000 pipes later, D&D Exhaust exhaust systems are some of the leading performance motorcycle exhaust systems in the world. Built by reputation of excellent customer service, quality in every detail of the product, and the basic value of a system that performs as specified.
We interviewed the boss, Dave Rash, the Pope of Pipe, on D&D products and some of the regulatory issues the industry faces. This document contains some California specific issues, but they may spread if we are not careful. This also contains comments from John Paliwoda, the executive director of the California Motorcycle Dealers Association.
Bikernet: What’s new this year for D&D?
Dave Rash: We have released new products, and always incorporate D & D’s typical protocol, we have used in the past 42 years of doing business.
Softail Breakout-Low Cat & Bobcat 2:1 Full systems
V-ROD- Fat Cat 2:1 Full system
2014 Sportster (modified old version to work with the 14 models)- Bobcat 2:1 Full System
09-14 FLH/FLT- Stubby Cat 2:1 Full System (extended saddlebag customers)
Peek behind the scenes (currently in development):
2014 Yamaha Bolt – Devil Cat 2:1 Full system
06-14 Dyna- Devil Cat 2:1 Full System (new design, straight muffler runs parallel to the ground, not upswept)
95-14 FLH/FLT 3 ½ & 4–inch Slip-ons that will be adaptable with our new exhaust tips.
2014 Indian Chief Vintage-Slip on mufflers 4-inch
Bikernet: Is there new exhaust pipe or performance technology coming down the pipe? Good one, right?
Dave Rash: We are always trying to be the front runners/innovators of our industry.
Think X Cat series. Top secret new exhaust pipe still in the Research and Development phases.
Innovated new baffling system exclusively designed for our exhaust systems.
Think Vortex Baffle!! The new baffling system is featured on all of our new products we’ve designed. It will be installed with our existing and new FLH/FLT 3 ½ and 4-inch slip on mufflers. Our company and our manufacturers of baffling cores have had collaborations on this new exclusive core. This new core is loud when you want it to be, which is on the throttle, and a good deep tone at cruising speeds and idle.
Bikernet: Are you branching D&D out to build exhaust for any other models?
Dave Rash: We always look for what fits the D & D brand. We don’t make exhaust systems for every bike. All D&D products must have the unique eccentricity that comes with our namesake.
Our main focus is enhancing the Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Basically that’s what brought us to lunch!!
Bikernet: Are you building exhaust pipes for the new Harleys due out this year, the 500 and 650?
Dave Rash: As soon as I can throw a leg over one and get it in our Dyno room, Hell yes!!
Bikernet: We seem to be living through a regulatory time in our history. Check this:
“VISION ZERO” HITS NYC
A controversial European traffic control plan referred to as “Vision Zero” has found its way to American shores, as NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has gained support of the New York City Council for his Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2024.
On May 29, 2014, the City Council approved a package of new policies aiding Mayor de Blasio’s quest to end traffic deaths, modeled after a Swedish philosophy that treats all road deaths and serious injuries as inherently preventable, the initiative has become the centerpiece of the new administration’s transportation agenda.
Among the changes approved, which includes misdemeanor charges or loss of license for hitting a pedestrian or cyclist, certain “exhibition behavior” from motorcyclists will not be tolerated under the law. The new rules governing motorcycle behavior outlaws “wheelies, doughnuts, burnouts and revving” — a first offense would be punishable by up to 60 days in jail.
Bikernet: What are your thoughts?
Dave Rash: Jesse Ventura, Ex-Governor of Minnesota was just awarded $1.8 million for “American Sniper” lawsuit….
Bottom line, some important people somewhere, are thinking about new BS regulations that would make the world perfect again. Regulations only work so much, until you are over-regulating the population.
Bikernet: Here are a couple of comments regarding the adage Loud Pipes Save Lives:
My life only matters to me, my family, and a small group of friends. It doesn’t matter to the guy eating his hamburger in his Lexus at 75 miles per hour, the woman looking into the back seat, scolding her kids in the car that’s dangerously close to my rear fender, or to the young man who whips his sports car into my lane, so close I have to hit the brakes to avoid a collision. Do they see me? No. Do they look when they hear me? Yes. That could be the difference between playing with my grandchildren and being just another unread name in the obituaries.
–Buckshot
Madera, Califa
Retired motor cop here. Sound travels at 750 MPH in a 360 degree radius in all directions. Sound also reflects off of objects and reverberates. Sound does indeed travel from your exhaust pipe in all directions. This is a common sense fact just go stand by the rail road crossing and listen and you will hear that train coming increasing in loudness until it maxes out at the exact time it is at your position and then diminishes in volume as it races away.
I was part of a study group of police officers that conducted noise level gathering in order to aid us in the prosecution of vehicles exhibiting excessive noise. Oddly enough once we set up our observation post and began to gather data we confirmed that one can, indeed, hear an approaching vehicle.
I was struck in May 2009 on my police Harley with red and blue strobes flashing wearing a lime green jacket by a girl changing lanes who did not see me, nor did she hear me. I was cut off and lane pushed more on duty on my silent beauty in one shift than I ever was in a week of riding my off duty Harley with Python pipes.
I utilized the warning properties of sound to announce my location and impending arrival at intersections and as well as cross turning traffic while on duty by using my siren, and off duty by pulling in my clutch and rolling my throttle.
Horns are heard all day long in an urban environment they are ignored. In fact on our police motorcycles when working downtown we used whistles to grab the attention of motorists, as it broke through the ambient sound.
I was a Police officer 1976 to 2012, Motor cop six tours starting 1978 finishing 2012, retired as Chief Instructor RCMP Atlantic Police Motorcycle training 2012.
Loud pipes alert others to your presence, they can reduce the danger and save your life but they must be used responsibly.
–DJ Motorcop
Bikernet: What are your thoughts?
Dave Rash: That may be true to our product, but a special audible report, shows it should sound like a motorcycle but, not be irritating at constant cruising speeds.
The day of straight pipes, just like any other fad is gone forever!
Any idiot can jerk a baffle out and make the exhaust obnoxiously loud, but who gets the bad rap for the noise? In our latest innovation, we have put forth effort into our new baffling design. Which, by definition, is loud when you get on the throttle but a nice deep throaty sound at cruising speed and idle.
Bikernet: Here’s a report from California. Are you attempting to go after California executive orders?
There is no sound enforcement legislation or regulations being considered as of this date in Sacramento, that I know of. Earlier in this legislative session, supposedly the MIC was peddling its roadside sound enforcement SAE test for legislators to introduce as a bill, but there were no takers. This test is NOT equivalent to the 50-foot drive-by test that all motorcycle manufacturers and aftermarket exhaust manufacturers must certify to.—John Paliwoda
Bikernet: I don’t know if you’re involved in off-road systems but I found this interesting.
By reading the simple language of the Board approval, this action is the beginning of CARB’s data collection to justify taking regulatory action against red sticker OHVs. After all, what other conclusion will CARB’s Executive Officer
be able to come to at the end of 2015, other than to suggest emission regulations on vehicles that are not now controlled, and can’t be regulated in the future, without sentencing them to be eliminated from sale or use in California?
The CMDA (the California Motorcycle Dealers Association) was largely responsible for the red sticker program, when it was instituted in 1998. Without it, all 2-stroke, and some non-compliant 4-stroke off-road motorcycles and ATVs would have been eliminated back then, when 4-stroke performance technology was not equal to 2-strokes.
Today, the industry has advanced exponentially, and although many more 4-stroke OHMs are available to answer a performance and weight void that existed in 1998, there is still a place for 2-stroke models.
Pure racing units are exempt from all CARB regulations, so it doesn’t matter what engine type they employ, but racers have to practice for sanctioned events somewhere and sometime!
The weight advantage that 2-stroke engine models feature makes them ideal for entry-level youth and youngsters. Eliminating these small OHVs would jeopardize the safety of youngsters who would be forced to learn how to ride on models often too large and bulky for them.
The CMDA will strongly oppose any emission restrictions on red sticker vehicles for one very simple reason — even though, on a per mile traveled basis, 2- stroke engines emit much more HC than 4-stroke engines, there simply aren’t enough of them sold, and they aren’t used enough to justify their elimination, in the name of “clean air.”
You would think, under the current disastrous economic conditions the motorcycle and motorsport industry faces in California, that state government would bend over backwards to promote its return to the $3 billion business that it once was. Instead, CARB continues to use its quasi-scientific method of regulating businesses and industries, that it doesn’t favor, out
of existence.
Think that’s an exaggeration? The decline of the personal watercraft industry (PWC) is a glaring example, and if you were a PWC dealer and are reading this article, I’m sure that you will attest to that. CARB’s regulation, again in 1998, eliminated 2-stroke watercraft in a couple of years, and the heavy, bloated, expensive 4-stroke engine PWC that are currently available in California are, for all intents and purposes, a different vessel and sales are a fraction of what they once were.
The CMDA doesn’t intend to allow that to happen to red sticker OHVs. It will fiercely oppose any regulation by CARB, or any other state agency, that will result in any fewer sales of the products our members offer in their dealerships.
That’s the message that the CMDA’s Executive Director, John Paliwoda, delivered to the CARB staff on Tuesday, December 17 at the first CARB red sticker OHV control workshop in Diamond Bar.
Dave Rash: Not Involved. As soon as Harley- Davidson makes a four runner, we will be on it!!
Bikernet: Are you aware of this?
Right before last week’s Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), a trade association for motorcycle and powersport manufacturers made a surprising announcement on February 12.
The MIC announced that it was admitting dealers to their manufacturers’ trade association by offering significant membership benefits paid for by the manufacturers’ substantial “dues” contributions.
Many old time dealers, who were attending the dealer show, were flabbergasted by the offer from the MIC to admit dealers to their trade association, especially since they tried it once before, 42 years ago, in 1971. Bikernet also tried during a meeting in around 2009.
In 1971, the MIC established motorcycle dealer
associations in every state, building a great grassroots organization. Each state’s association was designated as: (state name)_ Motorcycle Industry Council. After just 3 years, in November 1974, the Presidents of each of the state groups received a telegram stating that as of January 1, 1975, all of the state associations were dissolved.
What was the straw, which broke the camel’s back that convinced the MIC to throw their dealer members out? — Dealer Franchise Protection! At that time, the country’s motorcycle dealers wanted to get what their auto dealer cousins had — passing franchise law protection so that increasingly aggressive OEMs would not be able to take advantage of them.
That was clearly not in the best interests of the motorcycle manufacturers, so the dealers were left with no state associations in which to organize collective actions.
So why has the MIC magnanimously opened its doors to motorcycle dealers?
If you can get by their offers of scattered dealership benefits, nebulous goals of enrolling a dealer in every congressional district and a chance to be on a “Dealer Advisory Council,” what real reasons would the MIC have for opening its doors to dealer members?
Does the MIC hope to take members from the state dealer associations, crippling them when it comes time to lobby state legislators on franchise issues?
Could the MIC be thinking that by having even a few dealer members, the MIC will be able to say that they represent dealers in testimony before elected officials?
Why not? The MIC already testifies in state legislatures that they represent dealers even before they started their dealer membership program.
Could the real reason for this sudden interest in dealers (after 42 years) be because the
MIC has not been very successful in stopping motorcycle dealer franchise reform, and splitting dealers is about the last tactic left to them?
Well, goals like these are more in line with the fine-print of their dealer program offer: for instance, you and other dealers will be non-voting members and will never have a seat on their Board.
In addition, if your state association introduces bills to offer protection against OEMs which have an inordinate amount of resources to intimidate its dealers into making illogical facilities upgrades, illegally terminate dealers, and force unwanted, inappropriate inventory on them, you won’t get any help from the MIC — In fact, you’ll be fighting against them!—John Paliwoda
Dave Rash: I’m not a member of the MIC or AARP. I don’t know the relationship but there has to be a connection. Lobbyists make too much money.
Bikernet: This is the last legislative element, but the most harsh one. Let me know your thoughts:
In 2009, at the request of the industry, ARB adopted a new regulatory provision for the exemption of aftermarket critical emission control parts on highway motorcycles. In 2012, the Air Resources Board’s (ARB) Enforcement Division, in conjunction with ARB’s Office of Legal Affairs, discovered that performance exhaust manufacturer V&H Performance, LLC. sold, offered for sale, and/or advertised, in California, aftermarket critical emission control parts.
These parts were 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. However, the parts were not issued ARB Executive Orders that exempt them from California’s anti-tampering laws.
The Executive Orders ensure that the aftermarket critical emission control parts comply with the applicable aftermarket part regulations, and thus do not reduce the effectiveness of any vehicle pollution control system or cause the vehicle emissions to exceed applicable emissions standards.
V&H promptly and fully cooperated with ARB during the investigation, and as a result, has already implemented a compliance plan to inform its distributors, dealers, and customers about the types of motorcycle exhaust systems that are legal for sale in the State. In addition, V&H is actively working with ARB’s Aftermarket Parts Section to ensure that all of its aftermarket critical emission control parts that are sold, offered for sale, or advertised in California obtain the necessary exemptions from ARB.
The case was settled in January 2013 with the penalty total of $500,000, being applied to about 2,000 units at approximately $250 per unit.
Can you tell me your thoughts about this issue. A member of the MIC V-Twin committee mentioned further legislation. According to him these rules will ultimately be enforced in other states. Is there anything anyone can do to curb unwanted regulation? Don’t we pay these guys?
Dave Rash: Thoughts are again, what state are you dealing with? A state that outlaws Twinkies because they are bad for you? Can you say over- reaching policy? I love Twinkies, they taste great with the cream filling and all!! Nothing really bad to say. Just don’t know where our investments go since Washington DC does whatever they like to.
The truth of it all, motorcycles pollute minimally compared to other pieces of equipment. Like the good old fashion BBQ pit. The BBQ pit probably emits more toxins than motorcycles. Are the bureaucrats going to outlaw them next? It’s the big money that makes the policies in the world; how can us small timers come out ahead?
Bottom line, we are speaking about a company that sells over $60 million a year and they were slapped with a $500,000.00 fine. Was this for show, did the punishment fit the crime? Would the fine/penalty be as lenient towards other exhaust companies? Just really don’t know what to say.
Bikernet: Back to the fun stuff. Tell us about the racing efforts supported with D&D exhaust?
Dave Rash: Currently, we are working with Kenny Tolbert, Jared Mees, Brad Baker, Shayna Texter, and Nichole Cheza-Mees. Last I heard Jared Mees was the point leader. So, we are very proud of all of our racers!!
D & D was the very first to support Female racers. Female riders, we feel, are very important to the sport. Heck, we will probably vote in a female for president in 2016.
You know racing has always been a favorite past time to me!!
Bikernet: The crazy bastards at Bikernet are building another Bonneville vehicle, a streamlined, belly-tank trike. What do you think of this effort and what pipe will you recommend?
Dave Rash: Chuckle, I would expect nothing less. D & D would be more than happy to help with any parts, pieces, and/or technical assistance we can provide. D & D supports Bikernet 100% and always has!!
