What you need to know when you build your own motorcycle
Excerpts from the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, B.C. Reg. 26/58
Lights
1. A motorcycle must be equipped with at least one and not more than 2 head lights (R 4.05)
2. A motorcycle manufactured after December 31, 1974 must be equipped with a headlamp or headlamps, which automatically turn on when the engine of the motorcycle is started and which remain illuminated as long as the engine is running. (R 4.05)
3. The headlamp on a motorcycle travelling at less than 50 km/h must reveal an object at a distance of 30 m. (R 4.05)
4. The headlamp on a motorcycle travelling at 50 km/h or more must reveal an object at a distance of 60 m. (R 4.05)
5. A motorcycle may be equipped with only one tail lamp. (R 4.15)
6. A motorcycle may be equipped with only one stop lamp. (R 4.17)
Horn
7. A motorcycle must be equipped with a horn that can be heard at 60 meters. It may not be unreasonably loud, emit a harsh sound, whistle, or musical sound. The horn must be firmly mounted and readily accessible to the rider. (R 7.02 and Div. 7, Sched. 8)
Chassis
8. The frame of a motor vehicle or a motorcycle shall not flex, be cracked, welded or have fatigue points to the extent that these defects indicate the frame has suffered structural damage and constitutes a hazard. (Div. 7 Sched. 11)
9. The swing arm bushing of a motorcycle shall not be worn beyond the manufacturer’s specification, which would affect the safe operation of the vehicle. (Div. 7, Sched. 18) 10. The longitudinal wheel alignment of a 2-wheel motorcycle shall be such that the rear wheel centerline must pass within 12.5 mm of the front wheel centerline when measured at a point directly below the front axle. (Div. 7, Sched. 18) 11. The steering head bearing of a motorcycle should not show perceptible movement unless within the manufacturer’s specifications. (Div. 7, Sched. 19)
12. The steering head bearing of a motorcycle should not show perceptible play or roughness or should not be tightened to the extent that steering is affected. (Div. 7, Sched. 19)
13. The chain of a motorcycle shall be adjusted to less than 40 mm of play when measured at the centerline between the sprockets. (Div. 7 Sched. 31)
14. A motorcycle, when originally equipped, shall be equipped with a chain guard which is not broken or cracked and which is reasonably equivalent to the original device. (Div. 7 Sched. 31)
15. If the motorcycle is designed to carry a passenger, it shall be equipped with a footrest for the passenger’s use on each side of the machine. (Div. 7 Sched. 31)
16. A motorcycle shall be equipped with a side or center stand which shall not be cracked or broken and shall be structurally adequate to support the machine. (Div. 7 Sched. 31)
17. The side or center stand of a motorcycle when placed in the stored position shall remain in that position. (Div. 7 Sched. 31)
Seats
18. A rider and passenger must be sitting in the proper seats. The seat must be firmly attached to the motorcycle. Allowing your passenger to ride on the fender or stick on device may be an offence. Failing to do so may incur a fine of $95 and 2 points (MVA s.194)
19. The seat of a motorcycle shall be securely attached to the vehicle and the seat locking device, where so equipped, shall be functional. (Div. 7 Sched. 30)
Handlebars
20. A person must not operate a motorcycle with handlebars that extend above the operator’s shoulders when sitting in the rider’s seat and the handlebars are firmly secured. (R s.7.14)
21. The handlebar of a motorcycle shall not be cracked, deformed, improperly aligned or flex excessively and shall be mounted in the designed manner. (Div. 7, Sched. 19)
22. Handlebars of a motorcycle shall be constructed of at least 0.060 thick steel tubing or of equivalent strength. (Div. 7, Sched. 19)
Wheels
23. The wheel bearings of a motorcycle should have no perceptible movement unless within the manufacturer’s specifications. (Div. 7, Sched. 19) 24. The wheels of a motorcycle shall not, when measured at the rim, have an eccentricity or wobble in excess of 5 mm. (Div. 7, Sched. 20)
Exhaust
25. All motor vehicles must be equipped with exhaust mufflers. Failing to do so may incur a fine of $120 (R 7.03, R 7A-01)
26. A motorcycle exhaust level shall not exceed 91 DBA. (Div. 7 Sched. 27)
Brakes
27. A motorcycle shall be equipped with a brake on each wheel in contact with the ground, other than a wheel attached directly to a sidecar, and the brake on a rear wheel shall be operated by a right foot control, except where the motorcycle has a motor that produces 3.75 kW or less, in which case the rear wheel brake may be operated by a control mounted on the left handlebar. (R 5.02) 28. Motorcycles manufactured with both front wheel brakes and rear wheel brakes must have both brakes performing adequate braking. (Div. 7, Sched. 23)
29. A motorcycle shall not have an angle between the cam operating lever and the actuating cable or rod in excess of 110° when in the fully applied position. (Div. 7, Sched. 24)
30. The cam operating lever of a motorcycle shall not be repositioned on the shaft as a means of compensating for a worn cam, worn shoes or worn lining. (Div. 7, Sched. 24)
31. The hand or foot brake levers of a motorcycle shall have at least a third of their travel as reserve after the brakes are normally applied. (Div. 7, Sched. 24)
32. The brake cable of a motorcycle must not be frayed (one broken strand). (Div. 7, Sched. 25)
33. A motorcycle with brake adjusters must be equipped with a method of locking the brake adjusters. (Div. 7, Sched. 25)
34. The brake cables of a motorcycle shall not be routed in such a manner that they may be restricted between components of the motorcycle. (Div. 7, Sched. 25)
35. The brake pedals of a motorcycle shall be accessible for adequate leverage and safe operating conditions and must be accompanied with a footrest. (Div. 7, Sched. 25)
36. The brake levers and pedals of a motorcycle shall be free to return when pressure is removed from them. (Div. 7, Sched. 25) .
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