The cackle and buzz of aftermarket mufflers have Fargo residents covering their ears.

So Fargo police say they’ll be listening for them in a crackdown effort aimed at keeping the city quieter.

Loud motorcycle pipes and car mufflers are prompting more complaints to police, who plan to enforce two city ordinances as part of a new enforcement campaign.

Replacing or altering a vehicle’s original exhaust system can boost power while changing the tone and volume of its sound.

“This stuff has legitimate purposes, but once it’s on the street, it doesn’t,” Fargo Police Sgt. Michael Mitchell said Thursday. “When driven prudently, it’s not going to draw attention.”

Rod Harris, owner of Performance Auto in Fargo, said he’s ready for police action.

“There are some noisy motorcycles around town you have to roll up your window when you’re next to them,” Harris said.

Rick Johnson, parts salesman at West Fargo’s Harley-Davidson Sales, said the issue comes down to common sense. Officers should ticket drivers and motorcyclists if they’re racing or out making noise at night.

“They’re ruining it for everyone else,” Johnson said. “If you use your head, you shouldn’t have any problems.”

Mitchell said he sent patrol officers a memo aimed at solving the problem.

Enforcement will focus on what Mitchell calls “speed racer” cars, or small customized imports, and motorcycles in which owners have modified muffler pipes for a louder exhaust.

Violations of the city’s muffler/exhaust and exhibition driving ordinances, both non-criminal traffic offenses, carry fines of $60 and $120, respectively. City prosecutor Tristan Vande Streek said his office will aggressively prosecute violators.

Tickets will be left to an officers’ discretion because there are no distance or sound limits in either ordinance.

“I think officers will only be ticketing the most egregious examples,” Vande Streek said.

Nick Tufte, owner of Straight Line Specialties in Fargo, said his business builds aftermarket turbo systems.

Tufte said he is concerned about Fargo police ticketing drivers with loud cars, particularly imports with aftermarket performance parts.

‘They target these cars because they know it’s a younger crowd,” Tufte said. “They’re going to start throwing out tickets left and right if it’s left to (officer) discretion.”

Police don’t intend to target young drivers. Instead, they’ll focus on responding to complaints to the department, Mitchell said.

Readers can reach reporter Steven P. Wagner at (701) 241-5542