SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today announced that Vance & Hines Performance LLC has been fined $500,000 for violations of air quality laws related to the sale of illegal aftermarket motorcycle exhaust systems in California.

In late 2012, an ARB investigation discovered that Vance & Hines sold, advertised and offered for sale motorcycle exhaust systems that replaced original emissions-critical components, such as catalytic converters. California anti-tampering laws prohibit the sale, distribution and installation of parts that modify the emissions control systems of vehicles unless the modifications are proven to neither reduce the effectiveness of those systems nor cause excess emissions.

At the time of the investigation, ARB found that Vance & Hines had not taken advantage of an industry-requested regulation adopted in early 2009. The regulation allows aftermarket motorcycle exhaust manufacturers to legally sell their products once they undergo an engineering evaluation to ensure they are durable and meet applicable emission standards. Parts successfully completing this process receive an Executive Order exemption that allows their sale and installation on pollution-controlled motorcycles.

Vance & Hines fully cooperated with ARB in the investigation and has implemented a compliance plan for its aftermarket exhaust systems. Vance & Hines is actively working with ARB to ensure that all of its exhaust systems do not reduce the effectiveness of the factory installed emissions control systems and that they have the required Executive Order exemptions prior to being offered for sale in California.

Funds collected will be paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, established to decrease air pollution through education and the advancement and use of cleaner technologies.

Modified vehicles that no longer meet California's emission requirements pose a real danger to California residents. They create higher amounts of smog-forming pollutants, which can then exacerbate respiratory ailments and negatively affect other health conditions.