Well this one hits very close to home.
Metcalf is a second home for me since I do a lot of suspension testing there. It's close by, it's cheap, and it's filled with hard packed bumps that rattle your teeth out. A far cry from SCMX and Club Moto, but great for testing and getting a quick ride in.
At Metcalf the number uno ranger in charge has always been on my butt about my "spark arrestor" not having a certification stamp, (it’s a home made screen). The rangers at Hollister never questioned this, but they and other Metcalf rangers would frequently do the rod-in-the-pipe test, (a long wood dowel of sorts). In other words, if they could see or feel a screen, or some sort of round-a-bout, they cleared ya - no questions asked.
One day the ranger at Metcalf really got on my butt and told me not to come back without a certified unit, so I went out and did my homework.
First, I looked up the section in the Public Resource Code (PRC) that each OHV park lists when stating their authority that you must have a spark arrestor, (look at the web sites and local signs). The section in the PRC simply refers to a section in the Vehicle Code.
In the vehicle code, the section reads that each off-road vehicle (mind you that this applies to everything from OHVs to farm tractors) must have either a USFS certified spark arrestor OR a device of said dimension (I think it's nothing with a gap larger than .020").
In other words, a screen that meets this requirement is legit.
Now, I can't say this for sure, but perhaps this helps to explain why there is about half a dozen or so spark arrestor manufactures that sell said device without any type of stamping on them, (Pro Circuit, GYTR, etc.).
Back to the action.
So I returned to Metcalf the following week with a copy of the PRC and Vehicle Code and stood by waiting for the big man to show up. POLITELY, and DIPLOMATICALLY, I explained to him what I found and showed him the copy of the vehicle code and PRC.
He did not have an answer other than, "I'm sure there is something else". He walked off and hasn’t said anything to me since.
In other words, if they say you need a spark arrestor in accordance with the PRC and Vehicle Code, then that's it.
So, perhaps there is some other USFS rule that is buried too deep for the guys that made the signs or perhaps there is really nothing at all other than the need to have a screen. In either case, a ranger is a ranger and if you choose this route, consider your approach and any consequences in the event that I missed something.
Lastly, you can purchase stainless steel screen from various specialty stores in all sorts of sizes and shapes, (
www.smallpartsinc.com). The one I purchased for my 07 YZ450 was about $4 and it’s really good stuff. In fact, I may even have enough left over to send you a patch.
Ride on!
jk!! thanks tho! my dad has tons of screen laying around im sure something can be riged.
well i would if i have to...
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