Cheap Fix for Equipment Laws

[BobG]

I built my MB with the idea of being able to ride it on public streets with as little hassle from law enforcement as possible. Nevada law requires that a motorized bicycle be equipped with a headlight, horn, brake lights, tail light, and turn signals. I found a very inexpensive device (about $7) on ebay that does everything except the headlight. It uses LED lights, so its nice and bright. The headlight part of it is useless, so I have a separate headlight. It has a nice beeper that sounds when the turn signals are in use that can be heard over the engine sound, so it reminds you to cancel it. Ebay also has a bicycle "computer" speedometer that is a fantastic deal for about $3! It does tons of things- speed, distance, time, etc.
I think that its a good idea to check what your state requires and try to comply with it, it just makes us "good citizens" and lets us spend $ on new parts, not fines.

 

[Luka]

and lets us spend $ on new parts, not fines.

I like that idea !

And the attitude, as well.

=0)

 

[james65]

cheap lights

What do you do for front turn signals. Rear turn signals are so close together a driver will have a hard telling if is a turn sig or a bicycle flashing light.

 

[BobG]

cheap lights

Hi James65 & Luka,
Thanks for your comments! James, I agree with you that there is most certainly better ways to achieve lighting/signaling. Lollipops sticking out would be more noticeable, and a larger taillight/brake light lens would be easier to see, too. The tail light assembly is a little over 5" wide. I'm not aware of laws in NV that define what size the lens should be or a specification of the minimum distance separating lights should be for motorized bicycles. Certainly having something that meets the NV requirements is preferable to having nothing. It becomes subjective when the suggestion is made (correctly) that there may be better ways to achieve compliance. Compliance is what I originally wrote about. I've seen lots of pictures of motorized bicycles and while there are some equipped with the kind of lighting that we're discussing, most do not. Its hard for me to imagine that so many are just used off road. There is a winker light on the front for both L&R. Thanks!
Bob

 

[james65]

Bob,
Yes anything is better than nothing. I have one of those units on one fo my MB's. Hoping that it will keep them off my back.
On my other bike I have much better system(home brew). Watch out, I have heard of at least two MB's being stolen in LV. Hope that your riding mostly in the neighborhood. I go to Vegas a few times a year and don"t even like to drive a car there.
Enjoy!
Jim

 

[BobG]

cheap lights

Hi James,
Yes- I live here and I don't like driving much either, the place seems to be a magnet for lousy drivers (who are in a hurry to boot). I live on the edge of town so I can easily ride out of the whole mess. I really dig the MB I have and would be really disappointed if it were stolen. I just restored a Peugeot UO-8 for one of my sons who lives here and he had it stolen within a week and a half, I am very careful. Thanks again!
Bob

 

[james65]

Driving in Vegas

I have 3 sisters with homes there, Churchill, Red rock and the other just behind the Sun Coast.
They wanted us to move out there but the wife enjoys the casinos to much LOL.
We live in a nice, not to small town"perfect for a MB"
I keep a good chain & lock in one of the saddle bags but if they want it they'll get somehow!
I do envy the better weather.
You will see the cheap turn sig on the black bike. It also has the cheap digital speedo and a cheap analog speedometer(both work well considering the pric.

Later

Jim

 

[james65]

Las Vegas

These are the new lights/brake light/turn sig.

 

[BobG]

Wow!

Wow, those bikes look great! Does the red one have a jackshaft setup? I notice that it looks like the black bike has a flag pole for visibility, and it has a great looking center stand. The directional lights are perfect, what kind of circuit controls them? Really cool looking rides, man- the front suspensions and fat rear tires are the bomb. I'm going to try to upload a pic of mine but I'm almost ashamed to!
Bob

 

[BobG]

oops.