Bicycling from CA. to MI. to pick up my 1982' GS450T then drive it back to CA.

[grcamna2]

I'm almost positive there is no smog check on a 1981 bike. Technically the bike should have an emissions label that states the vehicle meets CA smog laws though and the DMV may choose to look for that. I'd be very surprised if they did and I recommend AAA anyway because the small fee for the card pays for itself the first time you avoid the DMV all together.

Thanks Nessism

 

[rustybronco]

Thanks for this info,the ferry doesn't sound like a bad idea.I will be getting to my destination by early June so I'm hoping things will get warmer..
My friend Dan knows this GS450 and it's a good bike.I repair Japanese motorcycles as my trade so I will get it where I need it to be

If you DO get into trouble with it upon arrival let me know. I'm about 40 or so minutes from St Clair Shores

 

[Buffalo Bill]

I looked up a bicycle rout via Google Maps. It called it the Cowboy Trail, 2476 miles.
Not on my bucket list but, You Go Guy!!!
I'll be watching for you on US 12 in New Buffalo, MI.
We see many hikers and bicyclers journey through here in the summer.

 

[Downs]

There's no smog checks on motorcycles period in California. At least there wasn't when I was stationed there 2 years ago. A bike that old will probably just have a sticker saying it meets EPA regs. Making 50 state emissions vehicles is a fairly recent thing. My 04 strom for example is a Ca emissions bike. If you bought one outside of California it didn't have as much emissions equipment on it

 

[Nessism]

There's no smog checks on motorcycles period in California. At least there wasn't when I was stationed there 2 years ago. A bike that old will probably just have a sticker saying it meets EPA regs. Making 50 state emissions vehicles is a fairly recent thing. My 04 strom for example is a Ca emissions bike. If you bought one outside of California it didn't have as much emissions equipment on it

The sticker must reference that the bike meets CA emissions laws. Not EPA emissions.

 

[Nessism]

Oh, and there were CA specific emissions bikes in the early 1980's. Charcoal canisters became a requirement in 1985 for CA bikes among other things. I think there was even a 1983.5 GS1150 that came with CA emissions. That's the earliest customized GS for CA emissions that I'm aware of.

 

[earlfor]

I appreciate hearing that a smog check isn't a priority for bikes here in CA.,the DMV book says they're exempt,someone in the DMV said something that messed me up on that,thanks.I also appreciate that info about that website:getting clean and sleep on this long bicycle trip is very important to me.

I don't believe any state requires emissions checks on antique motorcycles.

 

[grcamna2]

I looked up a bicycle rout via Google Maps. It called it the Cowboy Trail, 2476 miles.
Not on my bucket list but, You Go Guy!!!
I'll be watching for you on US 12 in New Buffalo, MI.
We see many hikers and bicyclers journey through here in the summer.

Yes,
That's the one I'll be on

 

[grcamna2]

Oh, and there were CA specific emissions bikes in the early 1980's. Charcoal canisters became a requirement in the 1985 for CA bikes among other things. I think there was even a 1983.5 GS1150 that came with CA emissions. That's the earliest bike customized GS for CA emissions that I'm aware of.

I worked on a customer's 1985 VT500C Shadow back in the late 90's and I just couldn't get it to idle smoothly,I traced the problem to the charcoal canister(it must have been sold in CA,),we disconnected and plugged the vacuum line going into the canister and it idled smoothly after that.That bike was up in MA. where I once lived.

 

[earlfor]

The sticker must reference that the bike meets CA emissions laws. Not EPA emissions.

Since my 2003 B12 is not a Cali model, you're telling me it is illegal to ride in California?

 

[Charlie G]

Since my 2003 B12 is not a Cali model, you're telling me it is illegal to ride in California?

No, but it couldn't be sold new here.

 

[Nessism]

No, but it couldn't be sold new here.

Correct. The vehicle must have something like 8000 miles or more or they may block CA registration.

 

[ddaniels]

Looking forward to your pictures of this trip. Good on you for being up for it. i struggle to ride my 7 mile route I take in the summer when I first get going each year.

 

[Redman]

I went on a bicycle trip across the state, Lake Michigan to Lake Huron, 50-70 miles per day, 6 days, camped in school yards along the way.
On the last day, we were reunited with our van in the parking lot.
Oh, it was such a great feeling to get in the van, start engine, put it in gear, hey, we are moving, I am just sitting here, not pedaling, but we are moving, Not Pedaling, are moving, NOT pedaling, hey!
I suspect you may have a similar experience.

 

[Downs]

Correct. The vehicle must have something like 8000 miles or more or they may block CA registration.

Yeah to keep people from circumventing the CARB requirements for vehicles sold in califronia. At least as easily. But since he's importing a bike into the state he's good to go. Doesn't have to have to meet CA requirements any more than any other used 49 state vehicle brought into Cali.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

I went on a bicycle trip across the state, Lake Michigan to Lake Huron, 50-70 miles per day, 6 days, camped in school yards along the way.
On the last day, we were reunited with our van in the parking lot.
Oh, it was such a great feeling to get in the van, start engine, put it in gear, hey, we are moving, I am just sitting here, not pedaling, but we are moving, Not Pedaling, are moving, NOT pedaling, hey!
I suspect you may have a similar experience.

HA!!! [+10 characters]

 

[gbw]

Wow! What an epic adventure! I'm getting tired just thinking about it.

Not to be a downer, but there are parts of that route around the south side of Chicago that I wouldn't drive through even armed much less ride a bike through.

Maybe call an Uber about the time you cross I-57 and have them drop you on the other side of Gary IN

Outside of that it looks like an amazing trip and I can't wait to follow along. Wish I was closer to the route so I could offer assistance or lodging if needed.

 

[salty_monk]

Wow! What an epic adventure! I'm getting tired just thinking about it.

Imagine all the "whispering" you'd need to do if you were without full face helmet & moving at that place... It'd take you a year to get there

 

[gbw]

Imagine all the "whispering" you'd need to do if you were without full face helmet & moving at that place... It'd take you a year to get there

 

[grcamna2]

Looking forward to your pictures of this trip. Good on you for being up for it. i struggle to ride my 7 mile route I take in the summer when I first get going each year.

Oh,I'll be struggling for sure but keeping it in the lower gears and tell myself "go easy", "enjoy the ride" The more I relax,the easier the whole ride will be;I need to get a few miles under me and then it'll come natural,kind of..
I have suffered on a bicycle in the past but not lately,this time out I'm Sure I'll suffer.I hope to find low-stress situations when i stop every evening to sleep and then do my best to avoid the ones that come my way on the road..