Jesse James & West Coast Choppers fined $271,250 for smog violations

California air regulators slapped Jesse James with a monster fine for building 50 custom bikes that didn't have state certified emissions equipment. The LA Times says the $271,250 fine applies to bikes built at West Coast Choppers between 1998 and 2005. Inspectors from the Air Resources Board found the vehicles didn't have proper smog equipment on the exhaust or intake systems and they could spit out 10 times the amount of hydrocarbons allowed by state law. Regulators say James was not targeted and they have brought action against 20 other customizers. But we must give Jesse his due: the burger joint next to his shop has solar panels (James co-owns the shop). James was the host of the popular Discovery Channel show Monster Garage. The last episode aired last year.
[Source: Andrew Blankstein / Los Angeles Times]