HarleyTechTalk

Hi all,

I bought a 2007 Fatboy in the Netherlands, which is European specs and when I return back to Maine in 2017 I would like to take my bike with me. The only problem is it has no plate that says it meets US specs or whatever. Its that plate on the frame on American Harleys. It cant be that difficult or expensive to convert the bike to US specs. Over the years I have added to it and all the parts came from the US including the Xeon lights. Does anyone have any experience with this? Or know who would be able to convert my bike to US specs so I can keep it?  I can ship it back but at some point I will need to register it and the serial number wont be right because its European spec.

Thanks for any help or info you give.

Paul

Place a call to MOCO or better yet, email them so you have it in writing then.

I would contact the DOT in Maine and ask them. It might not even be a problem. I see right hand drive cars registered here, why not a motorcycle.

This is from http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/pages/page3.html     Hope it helps.

3. Requirements to lawfully import motorcycles or motor-driven cycles for on-road use.


If a motorcycle or motor driven cycle is capable of a top speed above 20 miles per hour and is equipped with components (such as lights, mirrors, and turn signals) that are needed for on-road use, NHTSA will regard it as having been primarily manufactured for such purposes.   Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles with these capabilities and equipment cannot be lawfully imported into the U.S. unless they were originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS and bear a label certifying such compliance that is permanently affixed by the original manufacturer. The label must be affixed to a permanent member of the vehicle, as close as is practicable to the intersection of the steering post and the handle bars, so that its contents can be easily read without moving any part of the vehicle except for the steering mechanism. In addition, the vehicle's manufacturer is required to submit to NHTSA identifying information on itself and the products it manufactures to the FMVSS (as required by 49 CFR Part 566), provide NHTSA with information the agency would need to decipher the VIN the manufacturer is required (under 49 CFR Part 565) to assign to each motor vehicle manufactured for sale in the U.S., and designate a U.S. resident as its agent for service of process (as required under 49 CFR 551.45).

In Canada, importing foreign vehicles falls under federal DOT regulations. I'm sure its the same for You in the USA as our regs generally evolve from yours. So check your national govt DOT website for details.

It's a Harley..It's American...It won't be a problem bringing it back to America.

 

Quote from: Snydcat on February 08, 2016, 03:08:10 PM
It's a Harley..It's American...It won't be a problem bringing it back to America.

great first post.  Except that the OP stated the bike was built for Europe.  So he wants to know if there's anything done to it that won't pass US inspection.

All rules that apply to new motorcycles being sold in the U.S. will apply to this one. 

  Since the speedometer will be in metric, it will likely have to be replaced with a mph unit. All lights have to meet US Dot size and brightness specs. This has led to problems in Canada with some of the newer bikes with led lights built into the bags and no central brake light. Not enough surface light area ( sq inches) It can get expensive to replace fenders and and light sets. HD does this to try to stop overboarder sales.
I'd suggest taking the bike to the local authorities for inspection, they'll tell what has to be done to meet US specs. Make sure you have all your proper paperwork (licencing, insurance, bill of sales) with you when you visit the dot.  jm2c  fwiw Buffalo

Should not be too difficult.

But why don't you sell it in the Netherlands ?
Avoid bying new lights etc, no freight,  custom or tax and
whit the money you could probably buy a newer bike in U.S. 

Don't know a damn thing about US regs, but looking at it logically....

.... there can only really be two essential areas of difference.

1/ emissions / fueling / exhaust / noise levels

2/ what we in the Uk call "construction and use" which applies to things like lighting specifications, types of gas tank fittings, electrical stuff like horns and indicators, braking systems etc.

Sadly these are the very areas where you can spend lots of time (and time is money) and money putting it "right"

Perhaps instead of importing it as a motorcycle, split it, into three packages, rolling chassis, engine and tranny, and everything else, ship them *separately* and import it as parts, then build it as a new custom (that just happens to be stock) vehicle and register it as a new vehicle.

Or as others have said look at the resale value in europe plus shipping costs to the US plus importation costs, vs buying the same thing in the states....

If it's legal in the netherlands you can put it on ebay europe and sell it anywhere in the EU with zero hassle... a UK buyer will have to change the lights but that's about it, a french buyer will have to do bugger all.

Quote from: jbexeter on February 09, 2016, 03:57:34 AM
Don't know a damn thing about US regs, but looking at it logically....

US regs and logic.  That's an oxymoron, yes.   

Do you have a United States Embassy close by.  If so maybe someone there can help you.

It works both ways. I think you would have trouble importing an American specification motorcycle into a metric country, too. That's only a guess, however.

If I planned to stay in my new destination, I'd sell the machine and buy another one when I got there.

The only big thing I would think is replacing the headlight. It has to reflect the beam the opposite direction from center to the edge of the road. Might be a few other things but that's the first on the top of my head. You won't have glass and other things as you would with a car.

Quote from: norcal on February 09, 2016, 07:36:07 PM
The only big thing I would think is replacing the headlight. It has to reflect the beam the opposite direction from center to the edge of the road. Might be a few other things but that's the first on the top of my head. You won't have glass and other things as you would with a car.

Yes, the headlight would be different. In addition, the other running lights might or might not be US DOT approved. The speedometer would be metric and changing the speedometer from Kilometers to Miles might entail a different ECM.

An interesting thing that  you will see in HD parts manuals is that, for some unknown reason, the gear sets in transmissions destined to be used in Japan have different parts numbers. Go figure that one. LOL.   

Interesting about the different gear sets. My guess is the US gearing is taller for long distance, high speed touring. I haven't been to Japan, but my guess is that the country doesn't quite have the open expanse that the US does.

QuoteThe speedometer would be metric and changing the speedometer from Kilometers to Miles might entail a different ECM.

An 07 Euro Softail should have a Dual Scale Speedo so the Odometer can be changed from Metric to MPH with the push of a button.

But for a 10 yr old bike in Europe, I'd be selling it and replacing it with a newer model back in the USA.

Remember the 07 Softail especially the Fatboy was a bastid year.

Quote from: Hossamania on February 09, 2016, 08:22:46 PM
Interesting about the different gear sets. My guess is the US gearing is taller for long distance, high speed touring. I haven't been to Japan, but my guess is that the country doesn't quite have the open expanse that the US does.

US gearing is EPA testing designed, has nothing to do with how the bike runs or rides.

Quote from: 1FSTRK on February 10, 2016, 04:30:27 AM

Quote from: Hossamania on February 09, 2016, 08:22:46 PM
Interesting about the different gear sets. My guess is the US gearing is taller for long distance, high speed touring. I haven't been to Japan, but my guess is that the country doesn't quite have the open expanse that the US does.

US gearing is EPA testing designed, has nothing to do with how the bike runs or rides.

Didn't think of that. Makes sense.

Quote from: 1FSTRK on February 10, 2016, 04:30:27 AM

Quote from: Hossamania on February 09, 2016, 08:22:46 PM
Interesting about the different gear sets. My guess is the US gearing is taller for long distance, high speed touring. I haven't been to Japan, but my guess is that the country doesn't quite have the open expanse that the US does.

US gearing is EPA testing designed, has nothing to do with how the bike runs or rides.

Please explain. While I'm sure that the EPA is a factor, the gearing on my Dyna is perfect.

Thanks for all the input. Its a shame to have to sell it. I have put alot of money into it to make it look better. I already changed the lights on the front to the harley xeon lights (hid?) changed the exhaust to vance and hines, had one custom bag made for it, lowered the bike by 1 inch. Guess i could sell it. Or part it out and make a custom bike when I get back. I also hadnt thought about the import tax i might have to pay or any EPA testing.

I am leaning on selling it I guess. It would make life simpler and just buy a new one when i get  back. Thanks for all the help guys

Your bike VIN starts with 5HD...  and domestic U.S. are 1HD...
The EU regulations were/are not the same as U.S., but usually they were/are more restrictive.

If not taking the bike to CA, I'd lean on the doable side.
Never shipped one in to the U.S., but some to Europe.
Bikes are cheaper in U.S., that's why bikes usually travel east, not west ...

I was crossing into USA at Port Huron,MI.and I met an American.He was going home after some holiday in Canada,they would no let him re,enter because The EPA decal was not longer on the neck of his FLHTC.
John

Let me ask if the OP is military?

Back in the 80's there was a lot of discussion regarding the importation of foreign cars into the US by returning military among others.  New laws were enacted some of which has been posted by MrClean.

After all was said and done the bottom line is this:
1. If the vehicle was NOT manufactured for the US market, regardless who or where it was made, it can not be brought into the US.

2.  Some exemptions to #1 exist.  But for road use, the cost of conversion followed by the certification process so it can be used on the road will cost you more than a new bike.  And probably take a couple of years during which time the bike is impounded by customs.

Basically you will have to take your bike through the same certification process HD does for all it's new designs.  Except they have the process down and it's for the OEM.  You don't and your's isn't.

Take lots of pictures and SELL it.  Then build another when you get home.

You could be just an email or a phone call away from the answer.
Most likely it's possible to be done, but I'd sell it.


Harley-Davidson and Buell Customer Service: Peter Simet Milwaukee, WI (414) 343-4056

" •The vehicle manufacturer's United States representative has provided a letter of compliance that states the vehicle complies with all United States EPA regulations. Generally, EPA only accepts compliance information from the manufacturer's United States or Canadian representative. "


Can Harley-Davidson help me import my Harley-Davidson or Buell motorcycle from one country to another?

http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/footer/faq.html


" Harley-Davidson Motor Company can provide customers with documentation that may be used to aid in importing their Harley-Davidson/Buell motorcycles from one country to another. To request supporting documents from Harley-Davidson Motor Company you must provide the title or registration for the motorcycle to demonstrate that the requestor owns the motorcycle and the motorcycle title is clear of any Junked, Un-Rebuildable, Not-Fit-For-Use-On-A -Roadway, or other salvage branding.

If you can provide a title or registration in your name and need documentation regarding your Harley-Davidson or Buell motorcycle(s) for import or export purposes, please download the appropriate form; complete the information and fax to the number listed on the form.* 

*Other restrictions may apply. Documents issued by Harley-Davidson Motor Company do not guarantee the success of importing/exporting your motorcycle. "

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From Epa :

Proof that a car conforms to EPA standards may either be a manufacturer's letter or a sticker on the engine. Proof that a car conforms to DOT standards may either be a manufacturers letter or a sticker on the inside rim of the driver's side door.

Exemptions are applied to situations of extreme hardship, temporarily imported vehicles, and foreign vehicles that are identical to the U.S. versions. Additional information on exclusions and exemptions can be obtained from EPA's Web site.


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Dutiable Entry, Motorcycles 
either free or 2.4%


The DOT form HS-7 can be downloaded from the Department of Transportation's (DOT) website or by calling the Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393.  The DOT number for vehicle imports is 202-366-5291.

http://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines/forms/contact-us-about-importing-vehicles-and-engines

http://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines/procedures-importing-vehicles-and-engines-united-states

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/218/related/1

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http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

" EPA has a detailed automotive fact manual describing emission requirements for imported vehicles. You may obtain a copy of this manual, called the Automotive Imports Facts Manual, or other information about importing motor vehicles by calling EPA's Imports Hotline at (734) 214-4100. You may also communicate by fax at (734) 214-4676, or write to: "


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building, Manufacturer Operations Division (6405-J)
Investigation/Import Section
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460

Moving to the U.S. Returning resident exemptions & how to clear goods
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/351/related/1