| Author | Message | ||
     Mattmcc00 |
Hi all, I would like to get a stock based aftermarket exhaust for my 2008 XB12X but i live in what is probably the world's most anti-motorcycle city, Montreal. Government makes senseless abusive laws after senseless abusive laws all made to try to eliminate motortcycles from our roads. They just don't get it!! anyhow, I need to get to the actually point 'cause I could go on a rank here worthy of the Mercer report (Rick Mercer is kind of like a Canadian John Stuart http://www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/) So back to the pipes. Cops LOVE stopping bikers to verify thier exhausts. They carry tape measures for this during the summer, and when they stop you they feel the tape measure in your exhaust pipe to determine if it is a straight pipe or not, and slap you with a $154 ticket each time. Although this hasn't happend to me yet (my bike is stock, although they do stop stockers too.... just to check and to let you know that they are checking), I am a little worried about after market pipes. My question is given the rather uniqueness of our buell pipes what would happen if he tried to pass his tape measure into our stock versus drummer or spec ops pipes? I figure the stock ones would allow the tape measure to go to the front then stop because it would have to return via the other internal tube. But what about the drummer and spec ops? Are the cans just empty inside? would his tape be loose and be able to detect that it is empty inside or would I be able to tell him that this is a stock pipe and that's just how they are made? | ||
| Andymnelson |
 | ||
| Froggy |
The Drummer is mostly hallow and would fail the test if thats how they are doing it. I have not seen inside a Special OPs so I couldn't vouch for that one. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
Hmmm.... I wonder.... what if I was to open chamber B and remove the two RED (valve closed) inner tubes form Chamber B and seal them off at the chamber A wall. That way I would basically change the location of chanber A to where chanber B is, conserve the IEV (for torque versus HP purposes at various RPMs) and still be able to pass the tape measure test. I wonder how it ouwld sound? and how much back pressure it would releive? It may be a lot of trouble for not much.  | ||
| Union_man |
I would like to see the Statute (or whatever you Canadians call it) that the Police are operating under to perform this test. The distance between the end of the tail pipe and muffler should have little or no effect on sound production. Most State laws here in the USA are based on "Quantified" sound db levels. Law Enforcement must prove that you are in violation of the State Law or Local Ordinances. This usually requires use of a calibrated db meter. The only “test” that I know of that where a rod or tape is inserted into the exhaust is to check for a spark arrestor. Spark Arrester Inspection With the engine off, and using a penlight, look into the spark arrester to visually ensure that the interior has not been removed or altered. You may be able to see the interior section that deflects the exhaust. Use a narrow rod, such as a 8-in wooden dowel, to gently feel for the internal parts of the arrester. Check how far you are able to insert the wooden dowel internally and cross check this measurement with the outside of the spark arrester/muffler. This will indicate whether you are able to pass the dowel the length of the arrester/muffler. If you are able to pass the dowel the total length, it is not a qualified arrester. (Info taken from…http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/html/03511307/035113 07.htm#Inspection) Sample State Laws related to Motorcycle Exhaust and noise levels: In Minnesota; Muffler: Muffler required. No modification to increase noise beyond the levels stipulated. Decibels/Maximum. Sound: Max A-weighted sound level ranges from 80-90dBA measured at 50 feet. In Wisconsin; Muffler: No acoustical criteria. Decibels/Maximum Sound: No acoustical criteria. In Montana: Decibels/Maximum Sound: Max A-weighted sound levels based on measurement at 50 feet from closest point to motorcycle (61-9-418): 1)manufactured before 1970--92dBA; 2)manufactured after 1969 but prior to 1973--88dBA; 3)manufactured after 1972 but prior to 1975--86dBA; 4)manufactured after 1974 but prior to 1978--80dBA; 5)manufactured after 1977 but prior to 1988--75dBA; 6)manufactured after 1987--70dBA. In Arizona: Muffler: Muffler required; no cutout, bypass or similar device (28-955.01, Motorcycles; noise level equipment; unauthorized equipment). Decibels/Maximum Sound: Maximum allowable A-weighted sound levels based on measurements taken at a distance of 50 ft from center lane of travel (R17-4-61. Motorcycle Noise Limits): Model Year/<=35mph/35-45mph/>45mph: Before 1972/84dba/88dba/88dba; 1972-1980/79dba/82dba/86dba; After 1980/76dba/80dba/83dba (Info taken from...http://www.bikernation.net/motorcyclelaws.htm) Some Cities have adopted stricter sound rules that the State. Beware! BTW...I am not a Lawyer or a Cop. Just an informed, VOTING rider!  | ||
| Union_man |
 | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
Hmmm... i will do some more research. Maybe they tickets can be contested in court. Cops will hand out tickets to more or less any bike they see with aftermarket pipes, even parked bikes. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
I have found this: The legal noise level for a motorcycle is 82 decibels when the bike is moving, Rather vague, I also found that to be sold in quebec stock bikes must abide by this requierement, and that straight pipe motorcycle exhaust are louder than this and so need to be ticketted. | ||
| Union_man |
In the early days of RADAR speed enforcement, a reliable and successful defense to a speeding ticket was to call the Officers training and record keeping of required RADAR calibration into evidence. Back then RADAR calibration was complicated, time consuming and the calibration equipment was expensive. Today RADAR calibration, certified Officer training, and quality record keeping is the industry standard and Court proven. (If you are going to fight a speeding ticket you should still call for the calibration records, but don't hold your breath.) Sound metering today is like RADAR of the early 80's. When it comes to db law enforcement...most beat cops have little or no training, the equipment is sensitive and must be calibrated regularly, and the field testing equipment is most times non-existent, thus record keeping is usually poor. I would fight any "sound related" ticket that was issued to me. | ||
| Paralegalpete |
I was impressed with Montreal in that they allow motorcyles to park at an angle at the end of the row of parked cars (nearest the intersection) | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
Its the only way to fight the massive lack of parking in the city core. Also it is tolerated, but some have been ticketed in the past, but this is rare. | ||
| Wesman |
Check around on this website. You'll find many dyno printouts that indicate only a minimal increase in power via after market noise makers. If you need to strut your stuff get a different pipe. Mostly I read of more problems than solutions created via removing the stock pipe. Erik's got about as much power as reliably possible already pumping out of the air cooled lump. | ||
| Nadz |
Well here's a maybe solution: get a Drummer (which still says "DOT" on it), take the endcap off, and attach a free-flowing mesh spark arrestor deep inside. Or maybe just a piece of heavy-duty screen, whatever. You shouldn't lose hardly any power, still get a nice deep (non-annoying) sound, beat the tape-measure-test, and if you ever have to go to court, show them a photo of the DOT engraving. Maybe you could get Kevin to leave the logo off. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
Reliability issues with a Drummer? Really? |
