In his later days he began registering cars that were essentially completely custom fabrications as antique automobiles, avoiding major emissions restrictions and tax liabilities.
Treaty supporters in this country, acknowledging the slow pace of negotiations, have begun to emphasize steps that can be taken before mandatory emissions restrictions go into effect.
The United States and large developing countries, for different reasons, reject mandatory emissions restrictions and are unlikely to shift anytime soon, many experts and negotiators say.
The emissions restrictions called for in the pending climate treaty known as the Kyoto Protocol apply only to industrialized countries that ratify it.
Still, the Bush administration remains opposed to any emissions restrictions, though it has been sending mixed signals of late.
New Jersey has also considered emissions restrictions but has not acted yet, although it is under court order to adopt controls.
The SR500 is no longer sold in any market worldwide, but its sister bike, the SR400, was manufactured in Japan until 2008 when emissions restrictions halted production.
The move to the 2.6 L in all markets was spurred by emissions restrictions around the world tightening to meet the American standards for lead in fuels.
Even this lean-burn engine may be short-lived in the EU as further emissions restrictions are to be introduced in the form of Euro 3.
The "Developing Nations" will not have legally binding emissions restrictions.