Man, I really enjoy Motor Bicycling. I have got some good tips and ideas from other guys stories, plus the feedback to my post. I have not found anyone that started thier trike from a bike frame then merged it to trike. Then went down and registered it. Got plates, insurance, inspection, and so on. I surely can't be the only 1 that is going to plates on my trike. Which leads to this. How do go about producing a title for something that has never had 1 before. I have not gotten a straight up " Do This " answer from Google. So I figured that I would come to you guys and find out how to obtain or what I need to obtain to produce a legal title/ paperwork. To get my 3 wheels on down the rode. I have to do it because the engine will be to big. Which is strange cause everything is big in Texas. Except for the wins by our Houston Texans over the years. JK Texans. So anyone with the blueprint on doing this please respond to my thread. Thanks.
Title is in here someplace
- Thread starter BurntPain
- Start date
Sidewinder Jerry
Well-Known Member
Unless you have a 40cc engine or less; you're in for a bit of a heartache being in Texas.
In your state the only self built motorized vehicle allowed on to the public roadways is a motor assisted scooter. It can either be standing or seated, must be capable of human propulsion (kick or pedal), have 2 or 3 wheels, have an automatic transmission, stay under 35 mph and use a 40cc or less engine. Registration isn't required.
Others in the past have tried to argue the self propelled issue; yet still ended up in court getting a fine. Texas only allows certified manufactured mopeds on their public roadways. They put out an updated list every 90 days of the certified manufacturers. These vehicles do require registration.
That being said, many small Texas cites don't bother motorized bicycle riders as long as they obey the traffic laws and stay under 35 mph.
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I believe the saying is, Don't mess with Texas. In my 14 years here I've seen everything tried to get a bike registered as a home built so license plates can be obtained. Few succeeded unless they were in a state that has lax registration laws.
The laws in the U.S. and Canada are very much the same with slight differences. In Canada we can only register motor vehicles with a manufacturers attached Vin number and information plate. Home built vehicles can be registered if they pass a rigid safety inspection and are assigned a Vin number.
No gas powered bicycle allowed. Electric only and 500w with 32km/20mph allowed. U.S. allows 750w, not sure of top speed. Provinces usually decide which E-bike and E-scooters they allow.
Here in British Columbia they decided to ban certain models of scooters with pedals about a year ago.
Steve.
The laws in the U.S. and Canada are very much the same with slight differences. In Canada we can only register motor vehicles with a manufacturers attached Vin number and information plate. Home built vehicles can be registered if they pass a rigid safety inspection and are assigned a Vin number.
No gas powered bicycle allowed. Electric only and 500w with 32km/20mph allowed. U.S. allows 750w, not sure of top speed. Provinces usually decide which E-bike and E-scooters they allow.
Here in British Columbia they decided to ban certain models of scooters with pedals about a year ago.
Steve.
Here are a couple of links to a long time trike motor supplier. If prices don't show up email him to see if they are still available.
Steve.
www.staton-inc.com
And
www.staton-inc.com
Steve.
15. Electric Motor Bicycle - Trike Motor Kits - All Styles
15. Electric Motor Bicycle - Trike Motor Kits - All Styles
www.staton-inc.com
And
9. Three & Four Wheel Trike / Quad Gear & Chain Engine - Motor Kits
9. Three & Four Wheel Trike / Quad Gear & Chain Engine - Motor Kits
www.staton-inc.com
Sidewinder Jerry
Well-Known Member
Those would be very good kits and the OP would still be legal in Texas. Registration wouldn't be required, though he should have access to the necessary statutes showing he is legal in case he got pulled over.Here are a couple of links to a long time trike motor supplier. If prices don't show up email him to see if they are still available.
Steve.
15. Electric Motor Bicycle - Trike Motor Kits - All Styles
15. Electric Motor Bicycle - Trike Motor Kits - All Styles
And
9. Three & Four Wheel Trike / Quad Gear & Chain Engine - Motor Kits
9. Three & Four Wheel Trike / Quad Gear & Chain Engine - Motor Kits
Sidewinder Jerry
Well-Known Member
Or at least being able to access them on your cellphone
Greg58
Well-Known Member
I guess it all depends on where you live, Mapbike lives near the center of the state and says he's never had a problem riding a motorized bicycle. If you obey traffic laws and speed limits most law enforcement will leave you alone. I don't think he's ever built a trike so this may not help.
Sidewinder Jerry
Well-Known Member
Smaller Texas town's cops are like that. If they do pull you over they're probably just curious; just offer them a cold Lone Star out of the twelve pack you've been drinking on. lol However the larger cities are more strict.
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Chad_Broski
Active Member
I Have reason to believe that this not only applies to "small Texan towns", but generally any small city in America, of course IMO.
Sidewinder Jerry
Well-Known Member
Yeah but outside of Texas not many people like Lone Star beer lol
Chad_Broski
Active Member
Well, at least we wont pass up a good 12oz A&W
Sidewinder Jerry
Well-Known Member
Oh the small town police here in Tennessee would want some of the corn squeezings you were drinking on lol
Unfortunately I am in the largest city in Texas. I have looked over the comments I have gotten. And I am going to print out the law for the state and carry it on the bike so I will be covered. Waiting on my helmet to come in the mail now. Hopefully I won't get the cop that's a jerk. Because I can't make any promises about that speed limit. LoL