California Sidecar and Three Dealers Settlement
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$30,400 in Fines Paid by California Sidecar and Three Dealers
The Mobile Source Enforcement Section (MSES) along with the Office of Legal Affairs (OAL) has completed its investigation of California Sidecar, located in Arlington, Virginia, and three of its dealers located throughout California.California Sidecar was manufacturing aftermarket parts kits that would convert on-road two-wheel motorcycles into three-wheel motorcycles. They were also manufacturing auxiliary fuel tanks that were being installed at the time of the conversion. The dealers in California would get the conversion kits and fuel tanks and install them on motorcycles registered to California residents. The installation of this kit and fuel tank would alter or modify the original design of the motorcycle and could affect the emission control systems that were certified by the manufacturer through ARB. This is a violation of the California Vehicle Code Sections 27156 (c) and 27156 (h). As part of the settlement, it was agreed between all parties that California Sidecar and its dealers would not install, sell, offer for sale or advertise in California, any device intended for use with, or as part of, any required motor vehicle pollution control device or system which alters or modifies the original design or performance of any such motor vehicle pollution control device or system, unless it has first received an exemption from ARB. California Sidecar has since applied for and received an exemption from ARB for its aftermarket conversion kit and auxiliary fuel tank.The case was settled on July 29, 2008. As part of the settlement, California Sidecar, JBJ Cycles Inc., Highland Cycles and Wing Nut have paid penalties in the amount of $30,400 to CAPCF.