(9) Wheels. Inspect wheels and reject motorcycle if:
(a) Wheel bolts, nuts or lugs are loose, missing or damaged.
(b) Any part of wheel is bent, cracked, welded or damaged so as to affect safe operation of the motorcycle.
(c) There is more than one missing, bent or broken spoke on spoke style wheels.
(d) Any wheel is not at least the minimum size recommended by the manufacturer.
(e) There is not enough thread engagement fork leg clamps or threads are stripped.
(10) Alignment and Suspension of the Rear End.
(a) Swing arm bushing, bearing, or rubber mount. Place motorcycle on motorcycle accessory lift or center stand with rear wheel raised and inspect for wear and looseness. Check for lateral movement of swing arm by applying side to side force against rear wheel. Reject motorcycle if there is more than slight side to side movement of the swing arm or if rubber mounts are cracked, broken or torn.
(b) Shock absorbers. If originally equipped with rear shock absorbers inspect and reject motorcycle if:
1. Shock absorber is missing.
2. Shock absorber mounting bolts or mounts are missing, broken or loose.
3. There is severe leakage of shock absorber or associated hydraulic hoses if so equipped.
4. Dampening effect is diminished indicating loss of shock absorber function.
(11) Lighting Devices and Reflectors.
(a) In general. All lighting devices and reflectors required by applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards when the particular motorcycle was originally manufactured and such devices required by Massachusetts General Law or Rules and Regulations applicable to the particular motorcycle inspected shall be securely attached to the vehicle and capable of performing their design functions. Lenses must be intact, clean, unobstructed and free from cracks. All lenses on stop lamps, tail lamps, turn signal lamps and reflectors must be approved by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and as evidence of such of approval indicate the symbol "SAE" on the lens. All replacement lighting devices and reflectors shall meet applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard's at the time they were installed. No additional lamp, reflective device or other motor vehicle equipment shall be installed that impairs the effectiveness of lighting equipment required under these regulations. Two or more lamps, reflectors or items of associated equipment may be combined if the requirements for each lamp, reflector or item of associated equipment are met.
(b) Headlamps. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two white headlamps whose beam shall be checked in accordance with the specifications provided by the Registrar. The motorcycle headlamp shall be mounted on the front of the motorcycle on the vertical centerline, except that if two headlamps are used, they shall be symmetrically distant from the vertical centerline and equal in height. The height of the headlamps measured from the road surface to the center of the lamp shall be not less than 22 inches nor more than 54 inches. Headlamps on motorcycles manufactured in the year 1986 or later shall throw sufficient light ahead to make clearly visible all vehicles, persons or substantial objects upon the roadway within a distance of 350 feet on a straight highway of uniform grade under normal atmospheric conditions. Headlamps on motorcycles manufactured before 1986 shall throw sufficient light ahead to make clearly visible all vehicles, persons or substantial objects upon the roadway within a distance of 115 feet under the same conditions.
(c) Tail lamps and stop lamps. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one red tail light and at least one red stop lamp. The motorcycle tail lamp and stop lamp shall be mounted on the rear of the motorcycle on the vertical centerline, except that if two are used, they shall be symmetrically distant from the vertical centerline and of equal height. The height of the tail lamps and stop lamps measured from the road surface to the center of the lamp shall be not less than 15 inches nor more than 72 inches. Stop lamps shall be activated with the application of front or rear brakes. Tail lamps shall be activated when the headlamps are activated. Tail lamps and stop lamps shall be visible under normal night time conditions at a distance of 500 feet and stop lamps shall be visible in normal sunlight at a distance of 200 feet.
(d) Plate light. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with a white light so arranged as to illuminate the rear number plate so that it is plainly visible at a distance of 60 feet. Such light shall not emit a tailing glare.
(e) Reflectors. Each motorcycle shall have at least one rear red reflector mounted on the vertical center line except that, if two are used, they shall be symmetrically distant from the vertical center line and of equal height. The reflector height above the road surface measured to the center of the reflector shall not be less than 15 inches, nor more than 60 inches. Note: reflector(s) may be combined with other rear lamps. Motorcycles manufactured on or after January 1, 1968 shall be equipped with two red side reflectors mounted on each side at or near the rear of the motorcycle and shall be equipped with two amber side reflectors mounted on each side at or near the front of the motorcycle. The side reflector height above the road surface measured to the center of the reflector shall not be less than 15 inches, nor more than 60 inches.
(f) Turn signals. Each motorcycle manufactured on or after January 1, 1973 shall be equipped with front and rear turn signal lamps. Front turn signal lamps shall be amber mounted at or near the front of the motorcycle on each side of the vertical center line at the same height and shall have a minimum horizontal separation distance (measured from center of lamps) of 16 inches. Minimum edge to edge separation distance between turn signal lamp and head lamp shall be four inches. Rear turn signals shall be red or amber mounted on each side of the vertical center line at the same height and having a minimum horizontal separation distance (measured from center of lamps) of nine inches. All turn signal lamps shall be mounted at a height from the road surface of not less than 15 inches nor more than 83 inches. Turn signal lamps shall flash at a rate of 60 to 120 flashes per minute. The turn signal lamp activating control shall be positioned so as to be operated without removing the hand from the handlebar and shall properly indicate right and left when so switched. Turn signal lamps shall be visible at a distance of 200 feet under normal daylight conditions. Every motorcycle shall be equipped with a device to permit the front and rear directional signals to flash simultaneously if originally equipped by the manufacturer.
(g) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps. These lamps are not required, however, if so equipped shall be aimed in accordance with specifications provided by the Registrar. Reject motorcycle if:
1. Auxiliary equipment is placed in front of or obstructs any required lamp or reflector.
2. Fog lamps operate with high beam of headlamp.
3. Auxiliary driving lamps operate with low beam of headlamp or alone.
4. Equipped with more than two fog lamps or more than two auxiliary driving lamps.
5. Auxiliary driving lamps or fog lamps are not mounted at a height above the road surface between 12 inches and 42 inches.
(12) Body Components.
(a) Fenders. Front and rear fenders shall be mounted over both wheels to adequately protect rider from road debris and water. All fenders shall cover the width of the tire and a minimum of 1/4 of a wheel circumference. Reject the motorcycle if fenders come in contact with tires or if fenders have sharp edges.
(b) Exterior sheet metal, moldings and body panels. Reject motorcycle if there are sharp edges or abnormal protrusions extending beyond normal vehicle extremities so as to constitute a danger to pedestrians, rider, passenger or other vehicular traffic. Safety bars or highway bars without sharp protrusions and which do not extend beyond the widest portion of the motorcycle and which are not further than 15 inches from the foot controls are permitted.
(c) Seats. Each rider shall have a firmly secured seating area. Reject motorcycle if:
1. Seats are not properly secured or have springs or parts protruding which constitute a hazard.
2. Foot rests for each designated seating position are not provided.
(d) Chain driven motorcycle. Rotate chain to locate tightest position. Inspect chain under simulated road condition and reject if:
1. Not adjusted to manufacturers specifications. If specifications are unavailable the following shall apply:
Rigid frame models: minimum 1/2 inch to maximum one inch total up and down movement measured on the lower section of the chain midway between the sprockets.
Swing arm models: minimum 1/2 inch to maximum two inches total up and down movement measured on the lower section of the chain midway between the sprockets.
2. The chain guard or other covering device is missing, broken, cracked or is not the original equipment or equivalent replacement.
3. Chain or sprockets are excessively worn.
(e) Side or center stand. Inspect and reject if:
1. The side or center stand will not remain in the stored position.
2. The side or center stand is cracked, broken or apparent structural weakness is present which would not allow the stand to support the motorcycle.
(13) Frame. Inspect the frame in all areas which would not require the disassembly of any components. Reject the motorcycle if:
(a) Any part of the frame has been removed so as to weaken the original structure.
(b) Repairs are made in any temporary manner.
(c) Frame components are cracked, rotted, broken or are in deteriorated or dangerous condition.
(d) Frame is bent out of alignment causing front to rear wheel misalignment to exceed one inch.
(e) Front steering stops do not prevent the front end from contacting the fuel tank and the tire from rubbing against the frame or body panels.
(14) Fuel System. Check fuel system and controls and reject motorcycle if:
(a) There is fuel leakage at any point in the system.
(b) Any part of fuel hoses are not securely fastened or fuel tank is not securely mounted.
(c) Ffuel tank cap is missing or can not be properly secured.
(d) Throttle does not return to idle position when activating force is removed, if so equipped.
(e) Fuel hoses are chafed, cracked, split or swollen or are not a fuel resistant type.
(f) Fuel hoses are routed in proximity to or in contact with high temperature engine parts.
(15) Engine. Inspect and reject motorcycle if:
(a) Motor mounts are broken.
(b) There is any leakage of oil or other fluids which create tire traction problems or contaminate brake pads or shoes.
(16) Battery. Check battery and reject motorcycle if not securely fastened or if vent tube is not properly routed or fastened.
(17) Rear View Mirror. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one mirror so placed and adjusted as to afford the operator a clear, reflected view of the highway to the rear and left side of the motorcycle. Check mirror(s) and reject if:
(a) Mirror is cracked, broken, tarnished or reflective surface is peeled.
(b) Mirror will not hold adjustment or is not mounted securely to prevent excessive vibration.
(c) The mirror contains sharp edges, projections or irregular indents capable of producing injury.
(d) Mirror does not provide a minimum of ten sq. inches of reflective surface for a convex mirror or 12 sq. inches for a flat mirror.
(18) Controls.
(a) Clutch. If equipped with a clutch, reject if any portion of the lever is broken or missing.
(b) Ignition kill switch. An ignition kill switch shall be mounted in a secure manner in a readily accessible position, if equipped.
(c) Ignition. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with a locking ignition to prevent the motorcycle from being used by unauthorized persons.
(19) Side Car. Check side car and reject motorcycle if:
(a) Side car is not securely attached to motorcycle.
(b) There is a hole in the floor board larger than 1/2 inch in diameter or the floor board is rotted, rusted or deteriorated to a degree that creates a hazard to the rider or passenger.
(c) The side car does not contain a seat which is securely fastened.
(d) Side car not equipped with rear red tail lamp and stop lamp.
(e) Side car not equipped with at least one white headlamp on the front of the side car.
(f) Side car fitted with brake which does not operate properly.
(g) Mudguard not fitted over sidecar wheel.
Print This Page
Email this page to a friend