Mort- you are amazing - you really typed all that stuff out?
The deal is you must have the paperwork or be able to file a lost reg. with the dmv (yes there is such a thing).
The moped I bought had a registration.
When I went to the dmv. I requested the lady at the window if she could change it to a class C because it only went 20 mph (it really did when it was electric power) and she asked the model, Newport ? and said, "20 max?" I said Yes.
I did have insurance for it in case she refused, as the bike was a class B (good for 30 mph) but she did change it for me.
Here is the deal- only class A (40 mph capable mopeds / scooters I suppose) have to get inspected. That is the deal breaker!
Having to get inspected would have killed my plan.
Class A - 40 mph- reg., insurance, inspection and helmet required
Class B - 30 mph- reg., insurance and helmet required
Class C - 20 mph- reg., helmet encouraged
All need to have working headlite, tail light and stop light.
Tires cannot say "for racing only or for off road only"
I doubt we need pedals - don't recall anthing about pedals- some of the Yamahas didn't have pedals did they? (pedals are great for when you run out of gas though)
Any size motor you want!
My 2 cents- go for some brand you can't pronounce the name of, if there is a choice and replacement parts are not an issue.
There are mopeds on Craiglist. I paid 150 for my basket case Puch (which I will probably fix and put velcro on the license plate to switch back and forth).
Class C is the most desirable to go for since you still can get insurance for it (cheap too) but without the hassle of insurance lapses and penalties from NY.
I mentioned this before but remember to have the name and numbers of your moped stamped in your frame (steel stamps are available at HF - I have a set and they work fine but do wear safety glasses when stamping -or pounding anything for that matter)- I blended a plate into the fork head.
The likelyhood of being stopped with a plate on the back is very low.
You would have to ride dumb and dumber to get stopped.