Hi guys,

I just got a great deal on my first Kawasaki, a 1999 Drifter 1500. The only bad thing is that it's registered in Washington, and I need to register it in California. And the even bigger problem is that it has only 2500 miles on it and I need 7500 to be able to register it.

So I guess this means my only hope is to somehow convert it to a smog-legal California bike. Anyone know about how much that costs, or if it can even be done? What's involved? I assume I'd have to have a catalytic converter installed, and I'll probably have to buy stock exhaust pipes and put them on there (vance and hines are currently on the bike). What else do I need to do? Has anyone ever gone through this?

 

First, I'll say welcome lefecious!

But secondly, wow! that's a good question. I would assume you could possibly contact Kawasaki, or a Kawasaki dealer that could tell you what smog equipment you'll need. And, what's this about having to have 7500 miles??? I'm not from Cali, so I don't understand all the crazy laws they have, but I've never heard of needing a certain amount of miles to register a bike. Strange.[>:]

 

Yeah, California has messed up laws. They make us all jump through hoops to register our cars but these huge trucks and buses can drive all over spewing out black smoke and that's okay.

Anyway, out of state vehicles can be registered without being CA certified for emissions, so people from Cali were just buying all their cars brand new from dealers just outside the state. To prevent this, California lawmakers decided that only out of state vehicles that have more than 7500 miles can be registered without being certified.

They wanted to allow people who move to California to bring their cars with them, but prevent people who live here from just buying brand new cars outside the state and bringing them back. What's retarded though, is that this 7500 mile rule doesn't take into account the vehicle's age. My bike is 9 years old, so obviously I didn't run across the border and buy it just to get around the smog laws.

 

are you sure the 7500 rule applies to bikes too ?

 

If bikes are not smoged, why would you need to convert it or how would you convert it would be the question.

 

Been wondering about this myself. Looking to pick up another bike. Bikes outside CA are far cheaper than the CA models but wasn't sure how to get it registered. If you come up with the info please share.

 

And this info is what your DMV told you?

Congrats on the ride. 2500 miles is brand new