California DMV issue - needs federal label?

[ChopperJeff]

I live in California and just purchased an out of state (Missouri) 2007 Big Dog K9 with close to 18,000 miles on it. Went in this morning to get the title transferred. The lady at the window stated I need to have the bike inspected. I figured it was just going to be in order for them to verify the VIN on the bike matches the title.

The inspector says there is no federal label on the bike and thus cannot pass inspection. I told him that with over 7500 miles on the bike I didn't think anything was needed. He said "Nope! It has to have a federal label to pass inspection".
So now I need to go to the CHP and have it inspected.

I wonder just how much they will inspect. I mean, with aftermarket pipes that I am sure are not California compliant, am I screwed?

This all seems like total BS as everything I have read says that a bike brought into California with over 7500 miles on it does not need to meet any emissions, or anything else for that matter.

 

[pknowles]

Some people peel the sticker off the frame and stick it to the bottom of the seat. Have you looked under the seat for it?

 

[ChopperJeff]

Some people peel the sticker off the frame and stick it to the bottom of the seat. Have you looked under the seat for it?

Haven't noticed it under any of the seats, of which he sent three.
It should be on one of the down-tubes, correct?

 

[Mickmorris]

Haven't noticed it under any of the seats, of which he sent three.
It should be on one of the down-tubes, correct?

Damn that’s crazy. I am going to have to look up Federal Label… Cause I don’t think I have any… of course I’m in Florida and I don’t even need a safety inspection or motorcycle insurance.

 

[pknowles]

Yes, all i have seen were on the left side down tube, or peeled off and stuck to the underside of the seat.

 

[ChopperJeff]

The DMV here in California, I swear, are total idiots!

So, I have paid all my fees and only need to get the CHP inspection. I even have a form filled out by the DMV stating that I have a referral to the CHP.

When I spoke with a CHP person she said that I should be able to get a temporary operating permit (TOP) as I already have a referral and I have paid all the fees.

I went to the DMV in Oakland and the lady who first goes through your papers and gives you a ticket window number said that I should be able to get a TOP and that the people at the DMV in Pleasanton were idiots for not doing it when I paid my fees.
Well, after an hour of waiting and finally getting to the window, the lady tells me that unless you already have an appointment set with the CHP, they cannot issue a TOP. I told her I have a referral and am waiting for them to call me back, to which she says "Well, at this office, you need to have an appointment set with the CHP".

THIS IS NUTS!!!!!!

It even states on the DMV website that one just needs to have a referral for a CHP inspection in order to get the TOP. It does NOT say one needs to have an appointment set.

So, apparently the DMV at Pleasanton and Oakland are idiots!!!

Plus, how can someone sit there and say "at our office"? Uh, excuse me, but ANY office should be following the policies set forth by the DMV.

This whole ordeal is just frustrating beyond anything one could possibly dream up.

 

[HMAN]

Civil servants being anything but civil.

 

[ChopperJeff]

Yeah, our tax dollars at work! Paying people to basically NOT work.

 

[Mickmorris]

The DMV here in California, I swear, are total idiots!

So, I have paid all my fees and only need to get the CHP inspection. I even have a form filled out by the DMV stating that I have a referral to the CHP.

When I spoke with a CHP person she said that I should be able to get a temporary operating permit (TOP) as I already have a referral and I have paid all the fees.

I went to the DMV in Oakland and the lady who first goes through your papers and gives you a ticket window number said that I should be able to get a TOP and that the people at the DMV in Pleasanton were idiots for not doing it when I paid my fees.
Well, after an hour of waiting and finally getting to the window, the lady tells me that unless you already have an appointment set with the CHP, they cannot issue a TOP. I told her I have a referral and am waiting for them to call me back, to which she says "Well, at this office, you need to have an appointment set with the CHP".

THIS IS NUTS!!!!!!

It even states on the DMV website that one just needs to have a referral for a CHP inspection in order to get the TOP. It does NOT say one needs to have an appointment set.

So, apparently the DMV at Pleasanton and Oakland are idiots!!!

Plus, how can someone sit there and say "at our office"? Uh, excuse me, but ANY office should be following the policies set forth by the DMV.

This whole ordeal is just frustrating beyond anything one could possibly dream up.

Man I feel so bad for you Brother! That is absolutely the craziest shit I have ever heard of. And it backs up my belief that California is completely off the fucking rails! I mean for real!
On the bright side it sounds like in a month or so when you get through this shitshow you will be riding your amazing looking BigDog Chopper!

 

[Mickmorris]

Civil servants being anything but civil.

Everywhere!

 

[ChopperJeff]

The CHP just called me to talk about getting an inspection setup. I asked him what all they look into, being concerned that if they inspect the pipes, I'll be screwed as there are Vance & Hines on it now that are pretty loud. Well shit, sure enough he tells me that they look at everything to make sure it's California compliant, including the loudness of the pipes!

Looks like I either have to quiet down the existing pipes, or slap on a set of pipes that are California compliant. Sure the hell aren't too crazy about shelling out $800 for a set of pipes just to make the CHP happy, but are there baffles I can install in the Vance & Hines that will quiet them down?

I'm guessing the pipes are the Big Radius ones. Here's a photo of them.

 

[Cobra427]

I had a very similar situation when I purchased my bike (with V&H Pipes) from MA. It didn't have the Federal DOT sticker, and the DMV required that I get a VIN Verification performed by the CHP. I didn't want to mess around with a TOP, so I got myself an appointment with the CHP in Martinez, rented a u-haul trailer, and trailered my bike there. The CHP office looked at the VIN on the bike, confirmed the missing DOT sticker, took the paperwork and went back inside the building. About 15 minutes later he returned with the VIN Verification all filled out and signed, and I was on my way home. It was much easier than I expected. I didn't have to start the bike or confirm any functionality (ie: lights, etc...). He didn't seem to care about the V&H pipes at all.

 

[ChopperJeff]

I had a very similar situation when I purchased my bike (with V&H Pipes) from MA. It didn't have the Federal DOT sticker, and the DMV required that I get a VIN Verification performed by the CHP. I didn't want to mess around with a TOP, so I got myself an appointment with the CHP in Martinez, rented a u-haul trailer, and trailered my bike there. The CHP office looked at the VIN on the bike, confirmed the missing DOT sticker, took the paperwork and went back inside the building. About 15 minutes later he returned with the VIN Verification all filled out and signed, and I was on my way home. It was much easier than I expected. I didn't have to start the bike or confirm any functionality (ie: lights, etc...). He didn't seem to care about the V&H pipes at all.

Thank you for that! The CHP in Martinez was one that he suggested I call. Guess I could chance it and get the bike up there to them and if he ends up failing it due to the pipes, then I can go home and figure out the pipe situation.

 

[HMAN]

Thank you for that! The CHP in Martinez was one that he suggested I call. Guess I could chance it and get the bike up there to them and if he ends up failing it due to the pipes, then I can go home and figure out the pipe situation.

If you haven't put eyes on the bike, it may still have the baffles in the pipes. If so, they are not that loud. I took mine out and cut them in half for a deeper tone.

 

[ChopperJeff]

If you haven't put eyes on the bike, it may still have the baffles in the pipes. If so, they are not that loud. I took mine out and cut them in half for a deeper tone.

These pipes are pretty loud. But I'll take a look and see if it has any.

 

[ChopperJeff]

I had a very similar situation when I purchased my bike (with V&H Pipes) from MA. It didn't have the Federal DOT sticker, and the DMV required that I get a VIN Verification performed by the CHP. I didn't want to mess around with a TOP, so I got myself an appointment with the CHP in Martinez, rented a u-haul trailer, and trailered my bike there. The CHP office looked at the VIN on the bike, confirmed the missing DOT sticker, took the paperwork and went back inside the building. About 15 minutes later he returned with the VIN Verification all filled out and signed, and I was on my way home. It was much easier than I expected. I didn't have to start the bike or confirm any functionality (ie: lights, etc...). He didn't seem to care about the V&H pipes at all.

Well, I FINALLY managed to get my 30 day temporary permit! Won’t go into the details, but it was hell to get the DMV to follow their own fucking rules!
I also have an appointment set for August 17th at the Martinez CHP for the inspection. Hopefully it will go like yours where they don‘t check the pipes.

 

[Mickmorris]

The CHP just called me to talk about getting an inspection setup. I asked him what all they look into, being concerned that if they inspect the pipes, I'll be screwed as there are Vance & Hines on it now that are pretty loud. Well shit, sure enough he tells me that they look at everything to make sure it's California compliant, including the loudness of the pipes!

Looks like I either have to quiet down the existing pipes, or slap on a set of pipes that are California compliant. Sure the hell aren't too crazy about shelling out $800 for a set of pipes just to make the CHP happy, but are there baffles I can install in the Vance & Hines that will quiet them down?

I'm guessing the pipes are the Big Radius ones. Here's a photo of them.

Those should pass db. Inspection I would think

 

[ChopperJeff]

Well, I FINALLY managed to get my 30 day temporary permit! Won’t go into the details, but it was hell to get the DMV to follow their own fucking rules!
I also have an appointment set for August 17th at the Martinez CHP for the inspection. Hopefully it will go like yours where they don‘t check the pipes.

Fortunately, my experience at the Martinez CHP for the inspection went the same way! He took a photo of the VIN and the transmission, jotted down the serial number of the motor, then stepped back, looked at the bike and said "everything looks good! Let me go inside for a few minutes and fill out the papers.".

About 10 minutes later he comes out, hands me the completed form and I was on my way.

Went straight to the DMV with the form and got my plates! Finally!!!

But then during the ride home the speedometer started to act whacky, and while on the freeway the bike totally shutdown! Now I got to figure out what's going on with that. Will make a separate post.