The fresh
smell of
fines in the air
From the small office in the back corner,
near the water cooler
February 2nd, 2007
The first
month of the New Year is still fresh in our minds and
already the world of riding is greeted with gainsaying.
This
shouldn't be too much of a surprise to a group of people
like ourselves who revel in thrills found by
sitting in a saddle roaring down a road in the middle of
nowhere leading to who the hell knows. From the types of
motorcycles to the people who ride them, bikers are the
consummate definition of contradictions.
Even when
we're not throwing perplexed looks at each other, more
powerful people are
seemingly
willing to lead us down a path winding through the land of
confusion.
Case in
point, two stories that book-ended an already controversial
subject guaranteed to become one of the more important
matters for bikers in the upcoming year hit the press in
January. The
Environmental Protection Agency
decided late last year to focus on the emissions compliance
of any motorcycle with it's performance altered from the
original factory specifications in any way. In a move that
affects motorcycle manufacturers, custom builders and
enthusiasts alike, the EPA has
imposed
legislation carrying hefty fines.
The
nuances of the new law has been covered excellently by
various motorcycle magazines, but can be boiled down to the
simplest explanation; by altering your motorcycle in a way
that affects the engines output, you’ve broken the EPA’s new
emission laws. The knuckleheads out there are probably ahead
of the weekend warriors at
this point
whose mechanical affairs are limited to changing a bike’s
oil, so we can point to the absurdity of the EPA’s new focus
with what’s largely considered a ritual among new motorcycle
owners. The changing out of pipes. Whether you ride a
sportsbike or a cruiser, the pipes get upgraded or modified
for either esthetic, performance or sound reasons within
months of buying a bike. Generally speaking, this common
alteration changes the emission output and consequently
opens the owner, or the mechanic who worked on the
motorcycle, to the EPA fines.
Just to
clarify, the above explanations are all simplified versions,
both of the new standards and emission mechanics but since
this is supposed to be a topical and slightly humorous
editorial and not an article on the evil empire known as the
EPA, it’ll have to do.
So
it was with a sigh of relief when we read about the leading
V-Twin engine builder
S & S Cycles
successfully procuring an EPA
Certification on all three of its V-Series engine
families, becoming the first motorcycle engine manufacturer
to produce pre-certified EPA compliant engines for use by
individuals and custom bike builders. It seemed as if custom
builders wouldn’t have to worry about numerous fines on each
motorcycle that rolled out of their shops. Besides, it's
much easier to create a masterpiece when you're not having
to constantly look over your shoulder.
This news
gave a temporary calm to the concern over the EPA’s
vigilance to clean America’s air, bike by bike. Maybe it was
possible to work with large governmental bodies and find a
fairer, less targeted way to achieve cleaner air?
Then
again maybe not.
Although
it wasn’t the EPA banging down the door, one of the more
famous custom bike builders got a taste of what the future
may bring. Jesse James, the bad boy of bike building
(who’s probably as famous now for marrying America’s
sweetheart Sandra Bullock as he is for his workshop
mechanics)
was fined $271,250 for
‘selling motorcycles that did not meet the state's strict
emissions standards’.
While the
whole story isn’t known, from what’s been reported it does
appear that Mr. James offered to fix all 50 motorcycles
which didn’t meet California’s strict air standards, but
claims the state agency only was "interested in the cash
settlement".
And with no hint of bitterness, the king of the Monster
Garage said, "We hope that paying this money will bring to
light that California has a flawed system when it comes to
its clean air agencies and the policies and practices they
use."
With
exhausts being changed out on as many cars as they are on
motorcycles, and bearing in mind how many fewer miles a bike
is ridden than a typical car is driven, many including
myself are confused why the EPA or any governmental body
would make the effort to take such a hard look at our
two-wheeled steeds. Let’s put aside the smaller engine and
consequently less harmful emissions a motorcycle would
produce over a car and consider how many more drivers
tinker, alter and change their car engines. Are the same
standards to be applied to them? Just the sheer number of
cars on the road over motorcycles would lead you to believe
it would be far easier and certainly more beneficial to look
to that group first for this kind of clamp-down.
It would
be over-simplistic and too conspiratorial to think this is
being done to demonize or paint a bad image of the biker,
but the logic behind this move certainly escapes this humble
rider.
I guess we should all be
prepared
for a long and very interesting year.
This sort
of petty matter does makes you wonder though, how much nicer
the world would be if everyone rode a motorcycle?
The Editor
Past
Editorials
July 18th
The only thing missing is an
engine The day
this editorial is being written, aside from the
motorcycle deaths and endless riders who insist on
trying to outrun law enforcement at triple digit speed,
no notable news stories have crossed the desks of Clutch
and Chrome. Although both types of stories are tragic in
their own particular way, we have long decided to run
neither for a variety of reasons.
June 23rd
Fixing political mistakes with
good old fashion biker sense
It
was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Charles Dickens opened his novel ‘A Tale of Two Cities’
with that seemingly contrary sentence. Even though the
famous British author wrote his contemporary stories
during England’s Victorian Era, the sentiments could be
about bikers in Anytown USA, here and now.
April 10th
Welcome to our new home
Sure it may look like we've knocked out a few walls
or something as extreme as adding a whole
new wing, but its amazing what a little bit of
paint, some well-placed plants and a new set of
curtains can do.
March 20th
American Idol, frontier of biker's
rights? So American Idol’s Queen
of rock is gone. Long live the queen. This editorial is
being written the day after Amanda Overmyer was asked by the
viewing voters to hop on her Sportster and ride off into the
graphically-enhanced, blue back-lit Fox sunset.
March 5th, 2008
Thankfully, life isn't a
bumper sticker
The bumper sticker, whose quick phrase put a smile on
drivers faces or could solve any of life’s problems, seemed
to infect every car on the road with its humor, wit and
thought provoking slogans has become a rare sight in recent
years.
February 11th, 2008
Passion or Possession? How can a person
not love motorcycles? Understanding that this editorial is
appearing the pages of Clutch and Chrome, the absolutely
free online resource for riders, I’m pretty much preaching
to the choir. Regardless, don’t you catch yourself asking
the same question?
January 11th, 2008
Throwing names into the Dunce
Cap
With Clutch and Chrome’s
Best
and Worst of 2007 just recently published, the morning
meetings which ran into afternoons and occasionally finished over
drinks are still fresh in everyone’s minds around the office. It’s not surprising then to read every
news story that finds it’s way onto the pages of Clutch and Chrome
with an eye to what will be nominated, and possibly win next years
awards. But who would’ve thought that just ten days into the
new year we’d not only be reading, but for some possibly living, a
shoo in for Dumbest motorcycle moment of 2008?
January 2nd, 2008
Riding one big bottle-rocket
into 2008 Like trying on a
new pair of jeans in one of those trendy boutique clothing
stores with too many younger shoppers looking on, we find
ourselves awkwardly in a brand new year wishing it would fit
better and the whole episode just didn’t feel so weird.
December 20th, 2007
Like looking in a mirror
One of the biggest ironies must be
that of the holiday season and the biker.
In many ways, your average rider has so many similarities to the big
man and his magical visit that children the world over look forward
too.
November 29th, 2007
Santa Claus and Cynics Who needs any
reindeer or the silly red suit? Okay, maybe the suit isn’t
so silly and surely enough bikers will tell you that well
insulated Santa attire is just what the bike-doctor ordered
for your upcoming local and possibly cold Toy Run. It
even looks good when you make the local paper and for some,
it’s the rare occasion a color other than black can be worn
while riding.
November 2nd, 2007
Facing down destiny with a Podcast
The road ahead is lit by sunlight
streaming through dark, looming storm clouds. It’s not just the
turning of the season bringing a chill to the heavy lying air.
Bikers are riding across the Great Plains of life straight towards a
menacing storm front, stretching for as far as the eye can see.
September 25th, 2007
Trying to ignore the sound of crashing celebrities
So it had been weeks in the making, between the first few
thoughts, organizing them into some kind of order and then
typing it all out. Everything was looking
great.
It was a deep introspective into our riding world, what
bikers are facing, possible consequences and most
importantly how we as a group will face them.
The new darling of advertisers everywhere There is no doubt the humble
motorcycle is experiencing a wave of popularity and
acceptance across all sections of society. Our riding
brothers of yesteryear who were at best judged and at worst
actively discriminated against could only watch in amazement
at how beloved bikers and their machines have become.
June 11th, 2007
Riding gear,
new look and life lessons I know, I know,
certainly a lot of road to cover in one trip, but it has
been two months since the last editorial so it’s
understandable having a lot to write about.
April 3rd, 2007
Our big
screen
biker brothers..... After
nearly a year of the first inklings the demonic motorcycle
daredevil would burst onto the big screen, and a shorter six
months of build-up for the all-star comedic biker-buddy
movie, both Ghost Rider and Wild Hogs are quickly fading
into movie history.
March12th, 2007
Perfection over passion Although
this editorial may at first feel the furthest from
motorcycles and the people who love to ride them, I’d ask
for indulgence and patience while we go around the houses
eventually getting to the point.
February 2nd, 2007
The
fresh smell of fines in the air The first
month of the New Year is still fresh in our minds and
already the world of riding is greeted with gainsaying.
December 26th, 2006
Why Bikers are dogs Admittedly
it’s a loaded and possibly inflammatory headline, open to a
range of interpretations. But before all the female readers
have their heads fall off from nodding in agreement with much
enthusiasm, don’t jump ahead of me.
November 12th, 2006
Politics on
Two Wheels
Just when you thought there
would be a sanctuary from the endless stream of political
reporting, electoral Monday morning quarterbacks and analysis
of the analysis which picked apart the original analysis,
here’s an editorial which should be about motorcycles but
instead references the mid-term elections.
October 23rd, 2006
Riding with a
bullseye on the back
There are
always signs. This editorial isn't about the ones that stand on the
side of the road which help various vehicles navigate the
endless roads of this great country.
September 20th, 2006
Changes
and perspectives
It's always a hard making a decision
for change, with the degree's of difficulty usually corresponding
with how much it impacts your life.
August 19th, 2006
Two
sides Of the
Worlds Coin
A quick informal survey around the
cyber-office has all the staff of Clutch and Chrome admitting the
same thing. Everyone is crazy about motorcycles. Sure some may lean,
if you'll excuse the pun to one kind or even one brand of bike, but
all in all if it's moves, is motorized and has two wheels, we're
interested.
July 26th, 2006
Life is like A sharp blind curve
I always find the
best friendships are those built on complete understanding
and upfront honesty. Certain buddies are quite happy with
riding once a month while others look forward to weekly
mini-excursions. Being the easy-going biker types and not
pushing anyone for more than they're willing to give has our
circle of friends happily wearing smiles and enjoying life.
June 16th, 2006
Limited run only!!! Tragic news and
moral outrage
The last week just goes to
show that any type of momentum, regardless of how strong it
may appear is stoppable and maybe even reversible. But
before we get to the conclusion, lets baby-step our way
through the connecting dots.
May 1st 2006
Looking back, glancing forward
It’s been just over three weeks since
Clutch and Chrome has been
‘live’ on the internet. That is, according to the official
launch date and schedule the Clutch and Chrome staff was
working with.......
April 1st 2006
A note from the Editor I’m honored to be the first to welcome you to
Clutch and Chrome, a
website devoted to news, information, facts and figures
about motorcycles for those who love to ride them.......
The fresh
smell of
fines in the air
The
nuances of the new law has been covered excellently by
various motorcycle magazines, but can be boiled down to the
simplest explanation; by altering your motorcycle in a way
that affects the engines output, you’ve broken the EPA’s new
emission laws. The knuckleheads out there are probably ahead
of the weekend warriors at
this point
whose mechanical affairs are limited to changing a bike’s
oil, so we can point to the absurdity of the EPA’s new focus
with what’s largely considered a ritual among new motorcycle
owners. The changing out of pipes. Whether you ride a
sportsbike or a cruiser, the pipes get upgraded or modified
for either esthetic, performance or sound reasons within
months of buying a bike. Generally speaking, this common
alteration changes the emission output and consequently
opens the owner, or the mechanic who worked on the
motorcycle, to the EPA fines.
With
exhausts being changed out on as many cars as they are on
motorcycles, and bearing in mind how many fewer miles a bike
is ridden than a typical car is driven, many including
myself are confused why the EPA or any governmental body
would make the effort to take such a hard look at our
two-wheeled steeds. Let’s put aside the smaller engine and
consequently less harmful emissions a motorcycle would
produce over a car and consider how many more drivers
tinker, alter and change their car engines. Are the same
standards to be applied to them? Just the sheer number of
cars on the road over motorcycles would lead you to believe
it would be far easier and certainly more beneficial to look
to that group first for this kind of clamp-down.