GA homebuilt Motorcycle registration - are you kidding me?

[junglepig]

Bummer. Looks like in Georgia having a clutch disqualifies our MBs from falling under the moped definition.
(I'm currently overlooking that my motor might be over 50cc, LOL. Changing to a 50cc engine isn't a big burden.)

Which means to be legal here, I would have to go through the whole process of applying for a VIN for a home-made vehicle, having it inspected, and registering it as a motorcycle.
That is illogical. Though I don't see any way of arguing it successfully were I to be charged with something.
I suspect the charges would be operating an unregistered motor vehicle at a minimum.

Has anyone here gone through the process of registering an MB as a motorcycle in Georgia?

Also, I suppose I could look at fitting a centrifugal clutch. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Will'smotobikes19]

You can get a 48cc and use a centrifugal clutch kit and port it. That’s what I’d do and it’s not considered a motorcycle anything 49cc or under is a moped or scooter. This engine has a charging system, starter and centrifugal clutch and it’s 49cc. It was on a mini chopper.

 

[Member 28982]

I don't care what anybody else say. If a cop harasses you on a motorized bicycle then he's real lazy and he doesn't want to do his job so this is what you got to do you got to say oh you're pulling me over okay I'll just call my lawyer you better turn that body cam on bro cuz you're going to need that in court
Cops don't care about people on motorized bicycles unless you're underage and you're driving careless when are you guys going to get this through your head. I live in Florida and cops don't f*** with me. You wanna know why because I'm obeying the law I'm not acting stupid and I got a pretty bike

 

[junglepig]

You can get a 48cc and use a centrifugal clutch kit and port it. That’s what I’d do and it’s not considered a motorcycle anything 49cc or under is a moped or scooter. This engine has a charging system, starter and centrifugal clutch and it’s 49cc. It was on a mini chopper.View attachment 84328

I found this video on youtube. I haven't found the kit the guy is using yet though. I likely would not make this modification anyway since I don't expect to have legal issues here, but it is exactly the type of centrifugal clutch installation I was imagining. If anyone know where to get it though, or has experience with using it, I'm curious.

EDIT: Nevermind, I found it here, for about $55.

 

[Barnfresh]

Bummer. Looks like in Georgia having a clutch disqualifies our MBs from falling under the moped definition.

Just having a manually operated clutch to get the drive train engaged (initially), doesn’t disqualify a MB from falling under the definition of a moped so long as you don’t have to use the clutch again once you’re under way, as in shifting a manual transmission.

40-1-1(28) - Moped: A motor driven cycle equipped with two or three wheels, with or without foot pedals to permit muscular propulsion, and an independent power source providing a maximum of two brake horsepower. If a combustion engine is used, the maximum piston or rotor displacement shall be 3.05 cubic inches (50 cubic centimeters) regardless of the number of chambers in such power source. The power source shall be capable of propelling the vehicle, unassisted, at a speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour (48.28 kilometers per hour) on level road surface and shall be equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only, not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.

 

[JerboaJohn]

wow you can go 30mph legally in GA haha. Ohio we are limited to 20mph/49cc/1.5hp, tho I can't go that slow when I ride

 

[junglepig]

Just having a manually operated clutch to get the drive train engaged (initially), doesn’t disqualify a MB from falling under the definition of a moped so long as you don’t have to use the clutch again once you’re under way, as in shifting a manual transmission.

40-1-1(28) - Moped: A motor driven cycle equipped with two or three wheels, with or without foot pedals to permit muscular propulsion, and an independent power source providing a maximum of two brake horsepower. If a combustion engine is used, the maximum piston or rotor displacement shall be 3.05 cubic inches (50 cubic centimeters) regardless of the number of chambers in such power source. The power source shall be capable of propelling the vehicle, unassisted, at a speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour (48.28 kilometers per hour) on level road surface and shall be equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only, not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.

thanks, Barnfresh! That definition is different from the version I found. Maybe my source was out-of-date. I hope so. I'll go make sure I'm getting the most up-to-date source. At some point that "after the drive system is engaged" clause was either added or struck, as well as some other small changes in the wording.

If that's current, then my only issue is going to be the engine size and that I'm capable of going too fast. And those I'm not really at all worried about.

 

[CrazyDan]

You can always gear it to only do 30mph and get more torque to yank hills and take off from a stop.

 

[junglepig]

You can always gear it to only do 30mph and get more torque to yank hills and take off from a stop.

True. I'm considering trying a larger rear. So far I've only encountered one grade on a mountain road that it just wasn't going to pull without help. And I like being able to go 30 without the engine screaming. But I won't know for sure unless I try it. I think a 48T might be a good compromise.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Looks like a 56T would effectively limit me to about 30, since my rpm would be high 8Ks. And I suppose I could climb anything around here and enjoy the wheelies, lol.

 

[junglepig]

Just having a manually operated clutch to get the drive train engaged (initially), doesn’t disqualify a MB from falling under the definition of a moped so long as you don’t have to use the clutch again once you’re under way, as in shifting a manual transmission.

40-1-1(28) - Moped: A motor driven cycle equipped with two or three wheels, with or without foot pedals to permit muscular propulsion, and an independent power source providing a maximum of two brake horsepower. If a combustion engine is used, the maximum piston or rotor displacement shall be 3.05 cubic inches (50 cubic centimeters) regardless of the number of chambers in such power source. The power source shall be capable of propelling the vehicle, unassisted, at a speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour (48.28 kilometers per hour) on level road surface and shall be equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only, not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.

Thanks Barnfresh!
I went advance.lexis.com to get what I believe to be current copies of Georgia state laws, and confirmed your citation of 40-1-1(28).
The way I read things, I fall essentially under the moped regulations, though, predictably, some ambiguity is introduced with definition 40-1-1(30):

(30) "Motor driven cycle" means every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to exceed five brake horsepower, every bicycle with a motor attached, and every moped.

In this, they somewhat differentiate mopeds and "bicycle with a motor attached."

I don't find this phrase used anywhere else though, so I'm going with the definition of "motor driven cycle", and "moped". Bicycle laws prohibit Ape-hangers", and so I assume I'd have to follow any such restrictions on bicycles as well. Here's a basic summary of what I took from reading the Georgia laws:

50cc or less
30 mph max
No shifting required after drive system engaged
headlight required
tail light required
rear reflector required (can be integral with tail light)
turn signals required (visible from front and rear, and could be "mechanical" - that could be fun and interesting)
brake light required (mentions operating by foot brake. Mine will be operated from hand brake.)
Minimum of (2) brakes, operated by hand or foot
Operator must have valid drivers license
No Ape Hangers (bicycle)
Also I'm pretty sure I need at least one mirror, but I missed it on my review tonight.

Thought I'd share that. I should've noted the citations for each of these, but I haven't...
I have some inexpensive and hopefully good-looking lights ordered from China. And mirrors.
And a magneto stator on the way that should include a functional "white wire" lighting coil. (The one in my kit was just the same node as the blue wire.)
I'm going to build a solid electrical system charged by the white wire system and powered by a 3S set of 18650 li-ion cells. Failure is not an option..

I welcome your comments on how to interpret the legal stuff here.
And it's okay to say you think I'm perhaps going overboard. I'm going to enjoy building this and making it all look good and work well. And I hope to be able to take a ride into town without getting hassled by a cop. And all of this will make me safer/more visible.

Now, I almost got hit by a deer in front of the CVS on Main St. tonight in my car. I wouldn't want to run into her on my bike, LOL!