The Real Deal on California Law.

GoldenMotor.com

mikecola

New Member
Aug 27, 2009
10
0
0
Long Beach, Calif.
i use the bicycle serial number for the VIN, and the same number with an "E" in front of it for the engine, so it has matching numbers.
I wish I would have followed your lead. We sent in for a plate for my son's bike and I just recieved the for and my check back in the mail. On the cover sheet stating the reason for returning my check the "other" block was checked with the following hand written: "Need correct California license plate number". I'm hoping it was just another DMV staffer that doesn't understand the process, but also scribbled above my engine number was "No Good". Now my son got creative with the engine number and used "GMC-S1963" for his initials, "S" for Schwinn and 1963 for the year of the bike. Do you think that this is what really triggered the rejection? I'm thinking of resubmitting with a note stating that this is a new registration (even though I filled in the Section A (original application) section of the form. I'm thinking we also need to dump the hyphen from the engine number. Maybe just list it as S1963.

Any further recommendations from those who have successfully recieved their plate?
 

mikecola

New Member
Aug 27, 2009
10
0
0
Long Beach, Calif.
I hear you loud and clear. I'm thinking I'll resubmit in my name instead of my son's, even though, as they returned the form and check, I figure they do not have a way to track the previous submission with the frame serial number or the home address used. I'll make my engine number start with E too. And I guess I'll write a new check out as the DMV already endorsed the back of it, but didn't deposit it.
 

Scotchmo

New Member
Jun 23, 2009
217
0
0
Los Osos, California
I wish I would have followed your lead. We sent in for a plate for my son's bike and I just recieved the for and my check back in the mail. On the cover sheet stating the reason for returning my check the "other" block was checked with the following hand written: "Need correct California license plate number". I'm hoping it was just another DMV staffer that doesn't understand the process, but also scribbled above my engine number was "No Good". Now my son got creative with the engine number and used "GMC-S1963" for his initials, "S" for Schwinn and 1963 for the year of the bike. Do you think that this is what really triggered the rejection? I'm thinking of resubmitting with a note stating that this is a new registration (even though I filled in the Section A (original application) section of the form. I'm thinking we also need to dump the hyphen from the engine number. Maybe just list it as S1963.

Any further recommendations from those who have successfully recieved their plate?
Are you applying for a new plate? They should not be asking for your license plate number if you checked the correct box. Did you check the box that says “Complete A and D”? Or did you check one of the boxes for B or C that indicates there is/was an existing license plate.
 

mikecola

New Member
Aug 27, 2009
10
0
0
Long Beach, Calif.
I'm applying for a new plate. I checked the A&D and only filled those out those sections. That is why I think maybe the DMV person who handled this perhaps didn't understand what the process was. But then that notation about the engine number also had me wondering if that triggered some rejection although the only reason given on the cover sheet was "Need correct California license plate number"
 

Maxvision

New Member
Jun 13, 2009
551
1
0
San Diego, CA

Scotchmo

New Member
Jun 23, 2009
217
0
0
Los Osos, California
The DMV say in CVC 406 A & B that a motorized bicycle is not a motor vehicle and you do not need a lic. reg. or insurance. So why is this so hard for everyone to understand. I told this to the cops that pulled up next to me and they didn't do anything. I had a head light and tail light and was wearing a helmet going under 30 mph. They asked me if I had a motorcycle lic and how big the motor was and I told them the law and that it was under 50 cc. The best thing to do is carry a print out of the DMV law! Even though they are the cops the law is the law and the DMV says what the law is so don't let the cops try to twist the law. The plate is for a manufactured unit sold by a dealer who falls under the law of the 1 time registration and plate not a homemade contraption!
It is hard for many people to understand because of all the misinformation that gets posted in these threads, including by you.

You are mixing up the requirements for 406(a) and 406(b). Most of what you are saying applies only to 406(b). Gas bikes don't fall under 406(b).

And where do people keep coming up with this 50cc bull. There is no reference to 50cc anywhere in the California vehicle code. The engine size of a motorized bicycle does not matter, only the maximum horsepower.

Read through this entire thread and then go look at the actual vehicle code. If you still disagree, show me the section of the vehicle code that you think backs up your statements and I will then point out your error.
 
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Venice Motor Bikes

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles
Mar 20, 2008
7,333
1,966
113
Los Angeles, CA.
Why does everyone have soooooo much trouble reading Bairds first post on this thread???
This CA law stuff has been BEATEN TO DEATH!!!
Please, everyone reading this.... STOP THINKING THAT YOU FOUND SOMETHING THAT NO ONE ELSE KNOWS ABOUT!!!

Baird made it real easy for us with this thread... read it; do it & stop second guessing it! :rolleyes:
 

Scotchmo

New Member
Jun 23, 2009
217
0
0
Los Osos, California
...
Baird made it real easy for us with this thread... read it; do it & stop second guessing it! :rolleyes:
Yeah. I concur.

With one exception - a single beam headlight is also legal if you want to ride at night. See vehicle code 25651, or just use CHP form 888, "Headlamps on Motor-driven Cycles and Motorized Bicycles (24252, 24406, 24407, 24410, 25651). The headlamps may be of single-beam or multiple-beam type…"
 
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Venice Motor Bikes

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles
Mar 20, 2008
7,333
1,966
113
Los Angeles, CA.
Yeah. I concur.

With one exception - a single beam headlight is also legal if you want to ride at night. See vehicle code 25651, or just use CHP form 888, "Headlamps on Motor-driven Cycles and Motorized Bicycles (24252, 24406, 24407, 24410, 25651). The headlamps may be of single-beam or multiple-beam type…"

Yes I agree... but if thats what the police want down where Baird lives, I suggest they do it.


I think we're pretty lucky here in LA... All the police want to see is a helmet & lights at night. :)
 

bairdco

a guy who makes cool bikes
Aug 18, 2009
6,537
264
63
living the dream in southern california
on a humorous note...

i had to go to the Newport Beach court for my helmet ticket monday, and didn't know i had to get the registration and M2 license signed off by the cops before going, so i got another extension.

i was having a smoke in the motorcycle parking lot and 4 MC cops rolled up, and some OC sheriffs were walking by.

one cop started talking to me about my bike, and was surprised i had a license plate on it, and when i was telling him the reason i was at court that day, all the cops and sheriffs started laughing about it, saying how the cop that busted me musta been a real pr1ck.

so, 4 cops and 3 sheriffs didn't give a crap about me riding my bike, legal or otherwise.

they were all pretty impressed with the work i had done on my bike, and one of them is interested in me building a bike for him.

a "cop tribute bike" may be in my future...
 

bairdco

a guy who makes cool bikes
Aug 18, 2009
6,537
264
63
living the dream in southern california
john, yeah, it takes about 6 weeks. i xerox the form and the check before i send it in and ride around with that. technically, like a car, if the registration's pending, it's still legal to drive. but if you have proof, even if it's a copy of the paperwork, that's a lot better than saying "but officer, i mailed it in yesterday..."