Has anyone actually attempted to register a motorized bicycle as a moped?
I've found a few of the laws concerning moped/vehicles no longer list "self-propelled" as a requirement. (Though, they still do for motor-assisted scooters) And some of the TT code quoted in this thread actually seems to have be revoked and replaced since it's inception.
I have motorcycle insurance and a motorcycle license. I would be okay registering it as a moped if I can find a way. I got a 71' M35A2 insured a while back, I can sure as **** get a bicycle covered.
So from what I've seen you actually have to meet the requirements of a moped:
Headlight/Tail Light/Reflector. (actually the same for riding regular bicycles at night).
<50cc displacement.
<30mph max speed.
Then you have get it inspected. A possible VF type form in addition created for like another dollar.
Then you have to have an affidavit swearing the bike is under 50cc and 30mph from the manufacturer (you are the manufacturer). The information the DPS lists on their website is wrong, your moped does NOT have to be on the DMV approved list, it's just that if you are on that list you just do not need the notarized affidavit.
Then you need a certificate of origin. I think if you go to your local chamber of commerce and get them to sign off that you built your motorized bicycle (read: put two parts together, a bike and a motor), they can sign off on your certificate of origin.
My kit comes in today. I'm going to build a 49cc rear mounted chain driven bike with a centrifugal clutch. Using a kit and an old mongoose. I have fabrication and welding ability to get it to work... Probably.
I have a couple of other motorcycles, a GSA and a Versys. I just wanted to try something 'different' for a laugh. I had originally bought this mongoose years ago with the plan to motorized it, and am just now getting to it.
As it stands right now it's impossible to register a motor bicycle in Texas because there's no VIN number.
Texas has a list of approved mopeds, and only those are allowed to be registered.
We have 2 things going for us right now.
1. In Texas all motor vehicles are considered self propelled, and 2, there's no specific mention of gas powered motor bicycles in Texas law.
According to the Texas DPS that puts us in a gray area of Texas law. If you can honestly say your mb must be peddled away from a stop, you can make the claim it's not self propelled in court. If it's not self propelled, it's now recognized as a motor vehicle in Texas, so there's no need for a license or registration.
So far there's no reports of any of the hundreds of MB riders in Texas being harassed by law enforcement anywhere in the state, other than running stop signs, and normal stuff like that.
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