California Plate and Registration

[bairdco]

just got my plate and my registration today. it took about 5 weeks.

i used the bicycle's serial number for the VIN, and for the engine serial #, i used what was on the tag that i took off the motor, which is also the date of manufacture (see the red circles in the pic.)

so, you don't need to worry about making up a big VIN #, mine's only 6 digits.

i only sent in $18, since that's what the DMV website says, and i still got the plate (even though it says $19 on the reg...)

since i took off the engine tag, i'm going to engrave the # on that little flat spot where the transfer ports are on the case. i wouldn't recommend using number punch dies, because you might smash the case.

(i woulda posted this in the CA Law thread, but that thread's pretty much wrecked by now...)

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

Cool deal! I'm sending away for ours soon...
I really wish the plates weren't so big!

*edit*
Where's that link to print out the DMV form?? That would be a good thing to have right here!!

 

[bairdco]

yeah, it's 4" x 7".

kinda messes up the look of a bike.

but if it was smaller, the cops wouldn't notice it when they're talking on their cellphones and licking the donut crumbs off their moustaches...

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

I found the link to print out the DMV application form for the license plates...

http://dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg230.pdf

 

[The 26incher]

I guess I will have to do this...BUMMER! Thanks for posting the link.

 

[bigluelok]

cool nice to know it is that easy to do.

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

I mailed away for 'em this morning... let's see how long this takes?
I used the last 6 #s of the bikes serial # for the engine #s... lets see how that works?

 

[longhair]

I mailed away for 'em this morning... let's see how long this takes?
I used the last 6 #s of the bikes serial # for the engine #s... lets see how that works?

I've had mine now for about 2 months. I just roll with the registration, which coincides with a number on the motor. I happen to have an M1 license anyway. As for me, I'm gonna pass on the plate application on my bike. Now everyone out there, don't get weird on me and say, "You gotta have the plate on your bike blablabla" O.K. Great! Now go ride your MBs and put a smile on your face

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

Yep... We're thinkin' about leaving the plates at home & just carrying the reg cards too!!

 

[longhair]

Yep... We're thinkin' about leaving the plates at home & just carrying the reg cards too!!

Cmon Brudda, That's how we roll!

 

[GearNut]

I don't like the "moped" label on the registration card. It's a Motorized Bicycle for cryn' out loud! If a cop does not know much, he could cite you for not having all the required moped stuff; ie: lights, mirrors, brake light, horn, INSURANCE.... ect.

 

[bairdco]

look again at my registration pic. right across the top it says "MOTORIZED BICYCLE."

 

[GearNut]

You are right, as usual!
I just found that the outlined box in the lower right corner really jumped out at me.
"Carry this document or a copy when operating this moped"
And also the listing: "Type of vehicle use: moped" in the top left-center.
It makes me think that they are trying pull a fast one on us.......

 

[longhair]

You are right, as usual!
I just found that the outlined box in the lower right corner really jumped out at me.
"Carry this document or a copy when operating this moped"
And also the listing: "Type of vehicle use: moped" in the top left-center.
It makes me think that they are trying pull a fast one on us.......

For you peeps that don't have a registration/plate yet, while you wait for your stuff to come in the mail just go to Knotts berry farm and they'll make a plate with your name on it! hahahaha

 

[bairdco]

funny you should say that. i kept thinking of buying a cereal prize plate off the 'bay. i've seen the cool blue california plates with "GET RAD," "SURFS UP," and "DISCO."

NOW YOU GOT ME THI...oops...thinking. i wonder if we could get personalized moped vanity plates from the DMV? i gotta ask somebody...

 

[GearNut]

pretty sure we need lights (if ridden at night), mirror, brake/tail light, horn to be 100% legal.

Yes we do. Alot of people get away without it though.

 

[bairdco]

bicycles need lights at night, hence, we do.

lets keep the law discussions outta this thread, though. this one's just for plates, registration info, and jokes.

oh, and i wouldn't recommend everyone putting down what the tag say for their engine serial number. since it's a date code, there's gonna be a million engines with the same number. i've got 3 and they're all the same.

 

[GearNut]

I totally understand.

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

I used the last 6 #s of the VIN on the frame for the # on the engine... this way they match the bike.

 

[Scotchmo]

I’m glad to see more people getting the plates for their bikes. Regardless if the other required equipment is present, displaying the plate at least gives the impression of legitimacy. It shows the person made the effort and recognizes it as a motorized bicycle or moped. The law usually won’t bother you if they see the plate. I don’t even think they really require an engine number. You could try putting N/A, none, or leave it blank and see if it is accepted. Most engines have had something on them that I could write on the form.

I have gotten plates at the DMV but it can be time consuming since it is such a rare event and the clerk usually has to do a lot of searching for applicable procedures even after I give them the form. I have found it easier to just mail it in and wait a few weeks. The cost shown on the DMV web site is usually a year or more out of date. Like an earlier poster, I have found they accept the lower amount anyway when you mail it in.