Signals and Johnny Law

Hey guys,

In the build forums, I'm workin with a project, and debating taking the signals off all together. I mean, I'd be more prone to keeping them if they actually flashed when turned on as opposed to staying solidly light.

I'm thinkin a little later into the build I will permanently mount the grounding wires (was using electrical tape - so maybe it wasnt the greatest to test?)

Anyway, question at hand, are bikes road worthy without signals? What if its a 30's Triumph or something which didnt have any, hand signals ok? Would you need signals if they are original stock?

Thanks all
-kenny

 

depends on your states, or provinces law. In my state in PA. if they came factory you half to have them

 

depends on your local laws.

Here they are required, with exceptions like the 30's Triumph you mention.

Personally I wouldn't loose the blinkers. A bike can be difficult to spot as it is, especially to an incoherent driver.

 

Rgr that. Thanks for the quick replies. I'm with ya on keepin them handy on the bike. But got curious.

Thanks again
-k

 

State to State.
Sometimes: County
Cop to Cop.

In Massachusetts, we have Regulations and Bikes are "Inspected" before you can have a Sticker.

You need:
Good rubber.
Lights and signals.
Horn and mirrors.
Handlebars length.
Illuminated License Plate.
No leaks. (Including Forks).
And Pipes that don't exceed the "Too loud" line on the Test machine.

On top of all that there's a Helmet and Eye-ware Law.

And, ... and!!! ... If you got Red or Blue LED's that you put-on to make the Bike beautiful ... and, have them ON, ... riding-around at night.

They take the Bike.

 

There's a law up here in Ontario like that too, that i think not many ppl are aware of (Because i see it on cars and trucks all the time)

You CANNOT have a flashing BLUE light on your vehicle AT ALL, unless you are a snow removal vehicle.

That means NO BLUE SIGNAL LIGHTS. They can be SOLID blue (not flashing) and you're fine, but can't have blue signal lights, front or back.

 

What I find to be of particular interest, is the Massachusetts Mandatory Helmet Law.

It says: "Every person operating a motorcycle or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle shall wear protective head gear conforming with such minimum standards of construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe, ... "

The minimum standards must be a joke. We just had Bike Week.
There were guys on Harley's zooming past me on the way up to Loudin, NH, that were wearing these little, tiny, Beanie-Caps with Elastic Straps. They looked more like a religious head-covering than anything for safety. When they hit the New Hampshire State line, ... off they came and got stuffed into their back pockets.

 

ya i dont thinkt hose helmets are actually legal, i think theyre simply for show. cant a copy still pull you over if it doesnt have the big old D O T label on the back?

ive heard of guys using white out to 'paint' DOT on the back of helmets that dont conform to the 'standard' hah.

glad im not considering my paramedics career anymore.. dont wanna be picking up brains off the road when a helmet cant contain it.

 

No need to use white out to paint DOT on the back. In my neck of the woods you can buy fake stickers that look just like the original.
In BC those beanies are illegal, but unless you are puled over for something else, they don'y usually bother with it.