Making a 3 wheeler street legal?

[stevensj13]

Around here anything with 3 wheels is considered a motorcycle. I am in North Carolina, USA. I know I'll need lights and other things but assuming I have all the hardware to pass inspection, what is the process for registering... lets say... a Tri Z for every day street commuting and registering it as a motorcycle? How would I get a title for it that says I can register it on road? any help is appreciated!

[atc350xer]

If you have emissions in your area, I doubt a 2 stroke would pass... your best bet is to call a messenger service or the DMV and ask.

[fabiodriven]

Search function is your friend-

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/130049-street-legal-trike-make-it-out-of-a-honda-xl600?highlight=street+legal

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/35352-Street-legal-250r-ATC-Is-it-possible?highlight=street+legal

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/135666-Honda-200s-as-a-commuter-to-work?highlight=street+legal

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/134027-New-Street-Legal-Project!?highlight=street+legal

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/133074-Ninja-250R-threewheeler?highlight=street+legal

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/131585-Street-Legal-Trike-Concerns?highlight=street+legal

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/128144-Can-A-3-Wheeler-Be-Made-Street-Legal-In-Ohio?highlight=street+legal

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/117942-Street-Legal-Three-Wheelers?highlight=street+legal

[leviblue]

isn't this the 2nd oldest question in the book?? the 1st being "why don't they make them anymore". there's no way you could make one "legal" in the states unless you buy a new/used street legal dual sport and do a conversion like they do with the harleys and such. you would have a street legal title then. i can't see any other way around the legal crap.

[Mr. Clean]

there's no way you could make one "legal" in the states unless you buy a new/used street legal dual sport and do a conversion like they do with the harleys and such. you would have a street legal title then. i can't see any other way around the legal crap.

Sorry but you are incorrect, consider that each state is different. Arizona allows for ATV's, YES even trikes to become street legal, and YES it includes 2 strokes. I know of a blaster that has been made street legal. The only requirements to become street legal are on page 4 of this brochure.

http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/outdoor_re...v_brochure.pdf

From a quick search I doubt you will have much luck making an OHV street legal in NC. Seems NC only allows vehicles that were intended for street use from the manufacturer to become street legal.

[Toledo_Tommy]

Not to mention that there are 2 stroke motorcycles still on the road. My father in law has a 750 triple 2stroke street bike , it's old but fast.

[fabiodriven]

Wrong Levi. There are many ways to make a trike street legal and it's been done many times.

[leviblue]

so you got'em running the streets up in mass?? i'd like to see one reg for street/hwy with a "real" plate on it. sure i've seen legal ones overseas and a few in argentina but never in the states. i guess to me their like ufo's, only a few people have ever seen them but not me. maybe we should have a role call of street legal trikes on the site, would be neat to see.

[just ben]

Sorry but you are incorrect, consider that each state is different. Arizona allows for ATV's, YES even trikes to become street legal, and YES it includes 2 strokes. I know of a blaster that has been made street legal. The only requirements to become street legal are on page 4 of this brochure.

http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/outdoor_re...v_brochure.pdf

From a quick search I doubt you will have much luck making an OHV street legal in NC. Seems NC only allows vehicles that were intended for street use from the manufacturer to become street legal."page not found" so I couldnt see the legalities in az. I know in NY an off roads vehicle only has a tranferable reg. and cannot be titled. I wonder though if it is titled in another state, how or if it would transfer

[fabiodriven]

so you got'em running the streets up in mass?? i'd like to see one reg for street/hwy with a "real" plate on it.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/90798-Check-out-this-radical-ride?highlight=

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/87599-Xr-650-Street-Legal-Trike?highlight=

[leviblue]

where's the title from? is it a street conversion using the 750's #'s and papers? cuz that doesn't look like a stock head and down tubes so is the cb's #'s on it? i see 2 street bike conversions not 2 stock from the factory atc's produced in the 1980's. my point is you'll have to start off with a street legal bike in order to make it happen. if it was that easy most of us on here would have our R's, T-3's, Tri-Z's on the road or at least in those states that allow them.

[Mr. Clean]

"page not found" so I couldnt see the legalities in az.

This link works.

http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/outdoor_recreation/ohv/atv_brochure.pdf


my point is you'll have to start off with a street legal bike in order to make it happen.

I see quads on the road daily here, saw one at a major intersection last week when I went to lunch at On The Border!! If you go to more rural areas outside of PHX you will see them all over the place running 55 mph on the asphalt.

Taken from page 4 of the brochure.

Equipment you need to operate your OHV in Arizona:

◆◆ Helmet that is properly fitted, fastened and has
a USDOT safety rating for those under 18 who
ride on an OHV. Riders in an OHV such as an
ROV do not need helmets; however, it is recommended
that all OHV users wear a helmet.
(ARS § 28-1179B)

◆◆ Spark arrestor that is USDA approved.
(ARS § 28-1179A.4)

◆◆ Brakes adequate to stop and hold the
vehicle. (ARS § 28-1179A.1)

◆◆ Muffler or noise dissipative device that prevents
sound above 96 decibels during prescribed
stationary sound testing. (ARS § 28-1179A.3)

◆◆ Eye protection for operators of vehicles not
equipped with a windshield. (ARS § 28-964A)

◆◆ Headlights and taillights for use from dusk to
dawn. (ARS § 28-1179A.2)

◆◆ Safety flag at least 6” by 12” and 8 feet above the
ground on sand dunes or areas designated by the
land management agency. (ARS § 28-1179A.5)

◆◆ Brake light and at least one red rear reflector
(if taillight does not reflect). (ARS § 28-927)

◆◆ License plate securely fastened to the rear of the
OHV and clearly visible. (ARS § 28-2512D.1&2)

◆◆ Rearview mirror. (ARS § 28-964B)

◆◆ Seat and footrests for the operator and passenger
if vehicle is designed to carry a passenger.
(ARS § 28-964B)


To make your OHV street legal you will also need:

◆◆ License plate light. (ARS § 28-925C)

◆◆ Horn audible from a distance of
at least 200 feet. (ARS § 28-954A)

◆◆ Proper insurance. (ARS § 28-4142A)

◆◆ Emissions: Certain areas may also
require you to have your OHV emissions
tested. (ARS § 49-542C&D)

Every time I go to the MVD and title my trikes they ask if I would like to make it street legal. Maricopa county....which PHX is located requires emissions testing, most other counties do not. That is why you will see so many outside of PHX.

[fabiodriven]

In Mass you would have to start with some parts of a street bike, but there is nothing that says how much of whatever bike you are using.

You have to realize that both of the conversions I posted are results of what the owner wanted. If they had wanted the bikes to look more like an original off road three wheeler then they could have just as easily done that. There is nothing that says either of those bikes has to have the CB750 motor or the XL650 motor. They could have used a 350X or a 250R motor had that been their preference.

In short yes, you could make a street legal off road looking trike and have it registered for street use here in Mass. The two examples I posted show that, even though their respective builds are not what you would consider an original off road three wheeler. It could very well be done that way though.

There is a member on here who had a street registered Tri-Z in Florida. I couldn't find the link for that one though.

[Mr. Clean]

There is a member on here who had a street registered Tri-Z in Florida. I couldn't find the link for that one though.

It is fla2-stroke, he has had it at TF. It was titled in another state as "motorcycle" and in Florida you are not required to present the OHV when applying for a title. So he got a motorcycle license and has even taken it to Daytona Bike Week!!

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/88779-look-what-florida-gave-me-for-my-tri-z