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Today I found out that Pima county where I live in Arizona is now exempting motorcycles and classic cars from emissions testing. AFAIK, Arizona is the only state that has emissions testing for motorcycles(5 years after purchasing a new bike), and it only occurs in two counties, Pima(Tucson) and Maricopa(Phoenix). The test was something of a joke as it was implemented since they only tested the bikes at idle. Air-cooled/carbeurated bikes just don't run clean under those conditions. I hear next up is Maricopa county for ABATE to get the same expemption, but they might have a harder time since there are nearly 4 times as many motorcycles in Maricopa County than Pima County.

Classic cars in AZ are anything over 25 years old. (You can get a special historical license plate if you want.) The current smog law requires testing back through 1967! Ugh!

Tell me about getting an older carbed bike past smog. Did my son's '70 Bonneville a couple months ago, and it was a real pain in the BEE-hind. Leaned out idle screws, lowered float levels, turned up curb idle screws, retarded spark timing, installed fresh hotter spark plugs and poured a little isopropyl alcohol in the gas tank.

Yes, it made it, but riding the couple miles to and from my house to the test station was a real "treat". Oh, forgot to mention how easy (not!) it kick started with that smog tune up. Liked to wear out this old man. <hahahaha>

Well, I did a little quick checking, and, thanks to the AZ chapter of ABATE's web site, was able to link to the AZ legislature web site, which had a complete rundown on HB2357, the bike and classic car exemption.

The good news is that it went through the legislature and was then signed by our liberal governor on April 13th - just a couple days ago.

The bad news is that the bikes were left out of the deal in Maricopa Co.!!!!!!!! What the h*ll's with that!? Oh, Maricopa Co. contains Phoenix and the surrounding metroplex, as well as LOTS of farm and desert land to the west and southwest.

So, my son now doesn't have to smog his hopped up '70 Dodge truck, but he still has to come all the way into Phx. to smog his '70 Bonneville. What a bunch of cheese whiz!

(Note to self: Calm down, old man, before you throw a rod.)

Minor detail: The feds have to approve this law change before it can take effect. Who knows how long that will take? I'm sure ABATE and some car guys will be following this closely, though.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Derek!

The sad part is the creosote bushes that grow in abundance in the AZ and CA desert and cow farts add a lot more polution to the air than all the motorcycles in the entire state.