Contact: MIC Media Relations (949) 727-4211, ext. 3027 …

Contact:
MIC Media Relations
(949) 727-4211, ext. 3027


               MIC American V-Twin Committee Addresses The Urgent Need
                        For An EPA Engine Certification Program


IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 11, 2006 - The Motorcycle Industry Council, Inc. recognizes the importance of
the American V-Twin segment and its unique market position. In response to the growing needs of
this segment, the MIC Board formed the MIC American V-Twin Committee in late 2004.


One hot issue that the MIC American V-Twin Committee identified early on, was the challenge
that custom bike builders face in having to conduct the elaborate vehicle testing and certification
required by the EPA emissions regulations. Currently, custom motorcycle builders and small
volume manufacturers must certify the complete motorcycle even if they install an engine that is
used in another motorcycle that has already been EPA certified. The high cost and
complicated, time-consuming procedures for vehicle certification are a major burden or
infeasible for many custom motorcycle builders and small volume manufacturers. To certify one
engine family can cost in excess of $10,000, not including the much higher cost and time that
can be associated with the development of engine calibrations that comply with the emissions
standards in the first place.


Since most custom bike builders or kit bike assemblers use engines that are also used in many
other motorcycles, the Committee asked the question, "Why can't a custom builder install an
engine that has already been EPA certified in another motorcycle, as long as reasonable criteria
are met?" This would be a practical, economic solution that would benefit the engine
manufacturers, the motorcycle builders, assemblers and hobbyists.


The Committee noted that the preamble in the new EPA regulations stated that they would
consider such an engine certification program and EPA staff also announced their intention to
develop such a program at the March 2005 EPA certification workshop.


MIC and Committee members first called EPA staff in April 2005 to ask them about their
intention and expressed concern that it may take years to incorporate the option of an engine


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certification program into EPA regulations. It was suggested that a more expedient means for
providing such a program may be a Manufacturer Guidance Letter, as similar provisions have
been provided to manufacturers through such letters in the past.


The EPA asked MIC to put our thoughts together in a draft guidance letter for their consideration
and MIC quickly responded. Under MIC's draft proposal, a small volume manufacturer or a
producer, seller, or assembler of highway motorcycle kits is not required to apply for or receive
certification to install an engine certified under this procedure, provided such person
    1) installs an unmodified certified engine;
    2) does not install the engine in a vehicle that exceeds the weight and gearing limits used to
    certify the engine;
    3) uses or installs the evaporative emission system or parts specified by the engine
    manufacturer;
    4) permanently affixes the required label in an approved location on the vehicle; and
    5) assures that the owners manual is provided to the ultimate purchaser.

MIC is concerned about the misinformation within the industry surrounding this issue and the
efforts to derail MIC's progress on what will be a beneficial option for the V-Twin industry. If
such an engine certification is not developed by EPA, that leaves the V-Twin industry with no
alternatives to the full-blown vehicle certification, and many small builders will simply not be able
to comply with the EPA regulations for 2006.


MIC members and prospective members are invited to attend the MIC American V-Twin
Committee forum on Monday, February 6, at 9:00 a.m. at the Cinergy Convention Center
(Convention Center), Room 232, in Cincinnati to discuss this opportunity and other topics.


The MIC American V-Twin Committee is spearheaded by Chairman Fred Fox of Parts
Unlimited/Drag Specialties and Vice Chairman, Ted Sands of Performance Machine, and its
members include Lee Chapin (Mikuni American Corp.), Buzz Dyer (Cycle Shack, Inc.), Frank
Esposito (Global Motorsport Group, Inc.), Wil Garland (American Ironhorse Motorcycle
Company, Inc.), Gayle Greene (Paramount Custom Cycles), Dave Koshollek (DAKO
Enterprises, LLS)), Nick Messer (Big Dog Motorcycles), Maurice Murray (Zoom Strategic
Marketing), Grady Pfeiffer (GH Marketing), Jason Severstson (GE Consumer Finance), Tom
Seymour (Saddlemen), Len Sims (NADA Appraisal Guides), and Brett Smith (S & S Cycle, Inc.).

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing
manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV parts and accessories
and members of allied trades, located in Irvine, California.

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