|
   ome guys might not even know they need them until it’s too late. Other guys who already know they need them might not know where to find them. We’re talking about engines that are EPA emissions compliant, engines that can be mounted in any kit-build or ground-up bike and then sail right through the DMV registration process. In case you hadn’t noticed, the EPA has come down hard on special-construction motorcycles. For a while there it looked like we might not be able to build and sell a custom bike again, or at least get one legally registered. There was a one-time exclusion granted for hobbyists, but that was it. Anything and everything built after that once-in-a-lifetime exemption would have to comply with EPA regulations. No exceptions. And that was just for home-builders and hobbyists.Pro builders faced a whole different set of hoops to jump through. They could submit their motorcycles for EPA certification, at $10,000 to $25,000 a pop, but then they’d have to build that exact same motorcycle every time or take each style of bike in their lineup and get it individually certified for the new 49-state EPA motorcycle regulations, and the even more stringent California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.) regulations. The future of custom motorcycles seemed seriously in doubt. Not anymore. TP Engineering’s Pro-Series Compliant engines are in the FatBook right now and they’re 49-state EPA approved. The word “compliant” says it all. TP’s new engines, in 114-, 121- and 124-inch displacements, are EPA approved and come with a sticker to prove it. Put that engine in the frame of your choice, put the sticker on–which bears the same numbers stamped into the engine–and you’re good to go in the eyes of the EPA and then the DMV come registration time. Complete the build with some type of reasonably baffled exhaust system to keep the noise level down and there won’t be a police officer or DMV employee in the country giving you or your custom motorcycle a second look. At least not from a legal point of view. TP Engineering’s Pro-Series Compliant engines come complete, right to the air filter mounted on the carburetor. Take it out of the crate, mount it in the chassis, prime it and you’re ready to go. The engines don’t require catalysts, and being carbureted don’t come with all the hassles and complexities of fuel-injection wiring, oxygen sensors and computerized ECMs that need re-mapping. It’s significant that these Pro-Series Compliant engines aren’t fuel injected, too. TP has made them EPA compliant breathing through a familiar 45mm Mikuni, and making the engines EPA compliant didn’t require any drastic changes, either. To get these engines past EPA testing the camshaft profiles were changed just slightly, the compression ratios were lowered just a little and the ignition advanced curve was reworked. That’s it. The compression ratios went down roughly one half a point and it was the same sort of minor change with the cam profiles and ignition timing. But those small changes made a big difference, emissions wise. The changes also made these Pro-Series Compliant engines much more street friendly. Obviously, the Pro-Series Compliant engines won’t produce the same peak horsepower and torque figures as the standard TP Pro-Series Performance versions (which are still available, by the way), but in the grand scheme of things, who cares? The drop in peak horsepower and torque is so small it’s almost insignificant. Conversely, the gain in torque at lower RPMs is astounding, and it’s all right where it’ll be used and appreciated most. During development and testing TP Engineering found that the 124-inch Pro-Series Compliant engine, as an example, was putting more than 100 lbs./ft. of torque to the rear wheel at around 1,800 RPM. The engines all pull like a quarter horse on steroids and they’re extremely smooth running at cruising speeds. Think about that for a minute. Who but a drag racer or someone running WFO at Bonneville spins their engine right up to redline looking for that last bit of horsepower? Peak horsepower and torque numbers might look good on a dyno sheet, but out on the street and in the real world they don’t mean a thing. Much more useful is plenty of torque in the usable and accessible low-to mid-RPM ranges and then having that engine run smooth as glass on the highway. All the power you could ever need is right there on tap. Making these engines EPA compliant did a great job of dialing in a rider-friendly power curve. TP Engineering’s Pro-Series Compliant engines are offered in those already-familiar 114-inch, 121-inch and 124-inch displacements. The engines come complete, right to the air cleaner and they’re ready to go. TP includes a detailed instruction manual for installation along with that frame sticker proclaiming the engine’s EPA approval. There are two levels of finish offered, as well, Standard Polish and Show Polish, and for 2007 the cylinders and heads on all the TP engines, Performance and Compliant, have been redesigned for a rounded, even more muscular look. And Drag Specialties has it all right now. In fact, there are now four part numbers for each size engine, each available in Performance and Compliant configuration and with Standard Polish or Show Polish. Of course everything is made right here in the U.S.A. TP Engineering uses American forgings and castings exclusively, and precision-machines everything in their Connecticut factory. That’s EPA and OSHA approved, too! Regulating motorcycle emissions is a reality. So are the TP Engineering Pro-Series Compliant engines. They’re in stock now, so call your Drag Specialties rep today!   |
