Street legal trike moped

[stevensj13]

Sounds crazy, I know. But here in NC a moped doesn't require any registration, tags, insurance, or a license. The DMV defines a moped as "A 2 or 3 wheeled vehicle with an engine displacement no larger than 50cc and no external shifting device". Sounds to me like I can have a little fun. I am buying a Honda ATC 90/110 for $100 in running condition. Now, I know this sounds insane but I am thinking of buying an automatic 50cc chinese honda clone engine off ebay that will bolt right in to the frame. This would be making a street legal 3 wheeler. Now I know most of you will think I am ruining a good trike but this thing is a beat up old trike that needs more money than its weight in gold. It has cracked painted fenders, a 200x gas tank, 250r seat, and some bald tires. I figure I would be helping it by doing this. Hell, I could drive the thing to my friends house up the street. Now, if I do end up buying this thing tomorrow I will be sure to get pictures and if I do end up buying a chinese engine, I will complete that whole shebang and post up more pictures and a performance report. My little CRF50 hauls ass and has amazing torque.

[chuckiedog04]

you have to have street legal tires im pretty sure.

[stevensj13]

you have to have street legal tires im pretty sure.

I would be using it around my neighborhood and the tires say "not for highway use". if I get pulled over and given hell about the tires from a cop then I can say that I ain't on a highway so that doesn't apply. Other than that its just mirrors and a tail light.

[HuffieVA]

If I get pulled over and given hell about the tires from a cop then I can say that I ain't on a highway so that doesn't apply....

Good luck with that... Ignorance (even if pretended) is never a very good defense in court

[Swinger]

I think you could be onto something, Id try to do as much the legal way as possible though, so the fuzz aint giving you a harder time than they probably already will with this thing! Good luck and let us know if you get any tickets!

[tri again]

Sometimes we have to take built or reconstructed vehicles to dmv
so they can actually look at it and the numbers etc.

I wonder if that would be worth it.
Might even be free.
Don't skimp on the taillights and reflectors.
Maybe a flag like they use on recumbant bicycles?

and/or carry an exact copy of the rules and regulations to show the cops.
There is no way they can know every detail of every law so if you need to show them
the legal description and codes, they'll probably read it and say "hmmmm,
I guess you can go".

Just try not to be arrogant and point out all the cools stuff you did to it.

They may even want to build one for themselves.
(you get the picture)

[stevensj13]

Sometimes we have to take built or reconstructed vehicles to dmv
so they can actually look at it and the numbers etc.

I wonder if that would be worth it.
Might even be free.
Don't skimp on the taillights and reflectors.
Maybe a flag like they use on recumbant bicycles?

I don't think I would use a flag, I think I'll be noticed enough in my neighborhood, its full of rich stuck up snobs and of course I am known as the "redneck" kid with all the crap in his yard :D I am definitally going with a nice bright brake light and a headlight too. Reflectors are a good idea, I didn't think of that! I am buying the trike tomorrow afternoon at 8pm, the guy doesn't get off work tonight till midnight.

[tri again]

I don't think I would use a flag, I think I'll be noticed enough in my neighborhood, its full of rich stuck up snobs and of course I am known as the "redneck" kid with all the crap in his yard :D I am definitally going with a nice bright brake light and a headlight too. Reflectors are a good idea, I didn't think of that! I am buying the trike tomorrow afternoon at 8pm, the guy doesn't get off work tonight till midnight.

Prob #1 in your neighborhood would be THE quietest muffler you can come up with.
They really don't go noticalbly faster when they're louder anyway.

If they don't hear you interrupting their soap operas, they prob won't even notice or care.

I've been thinking about an electric, rechargable motor for a 90 frame.
Wonder if that changes the road rules?

I think the mirrors, light wattage and physical size, reflectors,
heck maybe even some blinkers just for fun.

[stevensj13]

Prob #1 in your neighborhood would be THE quietest muffler you can come up with.
They really don't go noticalbly faster when they're louder.

If they don't hear you interrupting their soap operas, they prob won't even notice or care.

Yep, the XR70 exhaust is damn near silent and I have one sitting in my shed. if thats too short I may grab one off one of my XR80's. All in good time, I have to buy it first :D

[Iprefer3]

Sounds cool. You always just ride around on a 250r that way when the cops come you can just ditch them lol

[stevensj13]

Sounds cool. You always just ride around on a 250r that way when the cops come you can just ditch them lol

Yeah, right now my 250r needs a shifter rigged and brake work, nothing I can't do in a day. about 50 feet from my house is a powerline cut that I can ride along to get into my friends back woods and into his yard, if anyone flips a siren I'll just run up there, nothing wider than a four wheeler could fit, atleast not until you hit the tree line :naughty::lol:

[Iprefer3]

Yup I've lost them a few times in my years. Only got caught once cuz I got to bold. LOL

[stevensj13]

Yup I've lost them a few times in my years. Only got caught once cuz I got to bold. LOL

haha nice.

[tri again]

be caaaaareful.
nothing other then moral and ethical stories should be propagated.

[Iprefer3]

be caaaaareful.
nothing other then moral and ethical stories should be propagated.
Yes listen to DRJoe. Always ride your bike in accordance with the law

[tri again]

Yes listen to DRJoe. Always ride your bike in accordance with the law

and 3ww TOU
to boot.

These are the folks that keep us OUT of trouble.

[Vealmonkey]

You know, I haven't really noticed anyone mention these things, but I'm more familiar with sport trikes, so maybe it's just me? Nah, no way. LOL Firstly, the engine you want to purchase, does not just bolt into the 90 frame. Secondly, the engine you want to purchase has an "external shifting device", which according to you would negate it from being road worthy by your description. So call me what you will. Nice try anyway. Rethink your plan. Best of luck. Not trying to discourage you, but you really need to think this out quite a bit more.

[stevensj13]

Well in theory I am going about 50 feet down a quite neighborhood street, so I am just being kind by following some of the laws. At this point I think i'll keep the stock engine. Hell, I am fixing up my old XR80 to ride around. Not on the highway, of course

[tri again]

You know, I haven't really noticed anyone mention these things, but I'm more familiar with sport trikes, so maybe it's just me? Nah, no way. LOL Firstly, the engine you want to purchase, does not just bolt into the 90 frame. Secondly, the engine you want to purchase has an "external shifting device", which according to you would negate it from being road worthy by your description. So call me what you will. Nice try anyway. Rethink your plan. Best of luck. Not trying to discourage you, but you really need to think this out quite a bit more.

Nice catch, vm.
I missed that external shift reply.
I DO remember rocking my blinker switch back and forth during my cycle license test because the battery wasn't hot enough to cycle the flasher.

Hoped to god the instructor didn't see me.
Surely if something did happen, the lawyers would nit pick any and all legality.

All ya gotta do is run over someones mailbox to get sued.
and just to stir up the hornets nest, if federal law supercedes states rights,
trikes are illegal from the top down.
(sorry, for spreading yet, another rumor)

[stevensj13]

I wanted to put a 50cc automatic chinese clone engine in it. no external shifter. Not sure if I mentioned that in my first post.

[Vealmonkey]

All the chinese clone engines I'm familiar with, have external shifters. If there are others, please feel free to post any links.

[stevensj13]

All the chinese clone engines I'm familiar with, have external shifters. If there are others, please feel free to post any links.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/50cc-Fully-Automatic-4-stroke-Engine-70cc-90cc-110cc-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a6926c3d6QQitemZ25087 2251350QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_ 500wt_956

[TatTooL23]

if i were u i would definitely try and be as legal as possible. like with everything. even with every single legal thing possible u r gonna get swarmed by the law driving it on the road. u would probably get sick of the harassment and just stop driving it. not to mention when the law has to say something because the yuppies call to tattle on u.

quite exhaust, reflectors, blinkers, mirrors, helmet even if not required in the state...etc

[stevensj13]

Your right, I should be as legal as possible. I'm picking the bike up tonight at 8pm. I'll get started tomorrow morning

[Adam Hyland]

you could always build a street legal bike in to a atc. I have a converted xl500r built into a atc and it is plated in cali. But I do like the idea of making it under the moped law. That is some smart thinking. I cant wait to see it.

Oh and they do sell DOT street legal atv/utv tires.

http://www.pureoffroad.com/dot_highway_atv_tires.htm