[Federal Register: August 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 149)] [Notices] [Page 41617] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr04au98-125] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA-98-4080] Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1976 Triumph Bonneville Motorcycles Are Eligible for Importation AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for decision that nonconforming 1976 Triumph Bonneville motorcycles are eligible for importation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that 1976 Triumph Bonneville motorcycles that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are eligible for importation into the United States because (1) they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards, and (2) they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards. DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is September 3, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket number and notice number, and be submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL -401, 400 Seventh St., SW, Washington, DC 20590. [Docket hours are from 10 am to 5 pm]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202-366-5306). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), a motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards shall be refused admission into the United States unless NHTSA has decided that the motor vehicle is substantially similar to a motor vehicle originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States, certified under 49 U.S.C. 30115, and of the same model year as the model of the motor vehicle to be compared, and is capable of being readily altered to conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Petitions for eligibility decisions may be submitted by either manufacturers or importers who have registered with NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR part 592. As specified in 49 CFR 593.7, NHTSA publishes notice in the Federal Register of each petition that it receives, and affords interested persons an opportunity to comment on the petition. At the close of the comment period, NHTSA decides, on the basis of the petition and any comments that it has received, whether the vehicle is eligible for importation. The agency then publishes this decision in the Federal Register. J.K. Motors, Inc. of Kingsville, Maryland (``J.K.'') (Registered Importer 90-006) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether a 1976 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle is eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicle that J.K. believes is substantially similar is the 1976 Triumph Bonneville that was manufactured for importation into, and sale in, the United States and certified by its manufacturer as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. The petitioner claims that it carefully compared the non-U.S. certified 1976 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle to its U.S. certified counterpart, and found the two vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most Federal motor vehicle safety standards. J.K. submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate that the non-U.S. certified 1976 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle, as originally manufactured, conform to many Federal motor vehicle safety standards in the same manner as its U.S. certified counterpart, or is capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards. Specifically, the petitioner claims that the non-U.S. certified 1976 Triumph Bonneville is identical to its U.S. certified counterpart with respect to compliance with Standard Nos. 106 Brake Hoses, 111 Rearview Mirrors, 116 Brake Fluid, 119 New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars, 120 Tire Selection and Rims for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars, 122 Motorcycle Brake Systems, 123 Motorcycle Controls and Displays, and 205 Glazing Materials. The petitioner also states that vehicle identification number plates meeting the requirements of 49 CFR part 565 are already affixed to non-U.S. certified 1976 Triumph Bonneville motorcycles. Petitioner also contends that the vehicles are capable of being readily altered to meet the following standard, in the manner indicated: Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment: (a) installation of U.S.-model headlamps and front sidemarker lights; (b) installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies which incorporate rear sidemarker lights. Comments should refer to the docket number and be submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. It is requested but not required that 10 copies be submitted. All comments received before the close of business on the closing date indicated above will be considered, and will be available for examination in the docket at the above address both before and after that date. To the extent possible, comments filed after the closing date will also be considered. Notice of final action on the petition will be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A) and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.8; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8. Issued on: July 29, 1998. Marilynne Jacobs, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 98-20687 Filed 8-3-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P