| Author | Message | ||
     Venom5sc |
Took the bike to work today and on the way home I was pulled over by the Wisconsin State Patrol. I received a warning for having a chopped tail and not having the fender that bolts on to the swing arm. I also received a warning for not having the license plate displayed legibly. After chopping the tail, the original owner installed the license plate relocater found on American Sport bike under the X1 section. The bracket did not display the plate in a vertical enough fashion for the officer. I am the third owner of the bike and purchased it from a family member. They had never had any trouble with the bike. Has anyone else had similar issues? I am not sure what to do from here. I could purchase the swing arm fender if I had to but dont know what to do with the tail. I am tempted to try my luck and leave it the way it is but wanted to hear other opinions. Thanks guys! | ||
| Jayvee |
Take a different route home? You could research the vehicle code in your state, and see for yourself. I think the Trooper was yanking your chain, it's more like a warning that he'll be looking for you, so don't speed there. | ||
| 2km2cyclone |
Lmao I know because the paper thin hugger will stop debris going 90....I would get details of the state law and fight it. | ||
| Judotrip |
That paper thin hugger helped slice my tire in half last year. Sucked in a metal hook that caught just right. The Harley Shop kept the metal hook for me.. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The plate is the most obvious to spot from a distance, and is also a big F-U to cops. It tells them, on first glance, that you drive like an idiot, will run from cops, and are willing to risk all sorts of lives for people around you solely for your own entertainment. Now I'm sure this *does not* describe you... but that is the statement a flip up or deliberately poorly displayed plate makes. And that's why a lot of people put the plate that way... so it's a "lay down with dogs and get up with fleas" kind of thing. So I would machine a bracket or some spacers to at least get the plate vertical and obvious. That says "whatever else I did to the bike, I'm not trying to conceal my identity for fleeing and evading". That, combined with reasonable riding, good gear, and a polite and professional attitude, should go a long way with any cop. (IMHO. I am not a cop or a criminal... but my job sometimes makes me think like both). (Message edited by reepicheep on March 16, 2010) | ||
| Jayvee |
Can you post a snapshot of your current setup? Also, where did you find the Marchesini wheels? I been looking for a pair myself. | ||
| Venom5sc |
Bill - Wow, never thought of it that way! It makes alot more sence now and will be taking off the bracket and straightening it out. I knew when buying the bike that the flames on the tank and all the goodies hanging off of it didnt help matters in that department but I love the bike. When it comes to being the person you describe, I usually follow it to the "T" but I am sure I didnt do the best yesterday. I didnt like how long it took him to pull me over and had no clue why until I talked to him. Now that my first time getting pulled over on a bike is over with, I'll be better if there is ever a next time. JayVee - The wheels were put on by the original owner (I'm the third). Surprised he didnt say anything about the Borla exhaust.  | ||
| Joel |
My plate is just like that one. No PA cops ever pulled me over for it. Maybe that one just lost a chase? Joel | ||
| Mick |
Mine was the same, I got done for 98$ au because it was too high. I just bent it down, realisticly they will get you for anything if they're in a bad mood. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Absolutely agree with everything Reep stated. The plate backer is tipped up a fair bit, flatten it out a some so it's not angled so sharply and you should be good to go. 2km2cyclone - The stock fiber glass hugger is hardly paper thin (or light weight), but you can get one that is in CF from A.S.B. if you were given a fix-it ticket. Or post a wanted ad since many are gathering dust in garages all over. Lots of people take them off, could be just one of the things he noticed so he felt like his time stopping you was worth it. Prolly didn't know where the exhaust was, many people unfamiliar with our bikes can't figure that one out. Another thing you can do is remove your helmet after pulling well to the side of the road and set it on the ground (helmets don't fall off the ground) while you wait for the officer. That also say's "I respect you, and am not going to run." and seeing your face will go a long way as well. Be careful with that though, on any busy road with traffic you might just want to flip up your visor and kick down your left passenger peg, sit sideways with both feet on those pegs as if you've got all day, maybe remove your gloves and put them on the tail next to you in plain view... he should park in a way that will protect you both should someone drift out of their lane, but pick safe place to pull over so he's not stressed about that as well. Read the book "A Speeder's Guide to Avoiding Tickets" and it will give you some valuable insight. I've said it before but that is a sweet looking M2, i hope you're enjoying the hell out of that thing. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Crazy, my bike looks almost the same and I have never had a problem. I even got stopped last year for a burnt out headlight and nothing was said. One noticable difference would be that I cut the fender tabs off the swingarm so it doesn't appear that the part is missing. Also I am a bit confused because I own a 1984 Yamaha XT 600 enduro (titled and street ridden in WI) and that certainly doesn not have a fender that bolts to the swing arm. That would be an interesting law to challenge. | ||
| Koz5150 |
  So what's the law??? | ||
| M2_tuber |
The WI State Patrol rarely gives you a break. I was pulled over doing 73 on the interstate. Placed into the back of his car..then as he talking to me he asks for where I work. Bingo... I work for a County Jail....etc....I bring up I'm in the military...he is all cool then leans back and still gives me a ticket.....I should of been an ass at least then I wouldn't of had my hopes up. The other time I was pulled over by a local I was doing 70 in a 55. And when he found out I work for the county he just told me to get out of here and slow down....so I guess I'm batting .500 for now. | ||
| Koz5150 |
I run Veteran plates on my Buell, not sure if that makes a difference. Mostly I just try not to speed... Try being the opperative word in that sentence. | ||
| Jayvee |
I have a similar Banke plate thingie, and I did bend it down straighter when I bought it, partly on account of the squidly image thing. There's some local boys who are nuts, and they all run their plats bent up almost impossible to read. I sure want to disassociate myself from them. Anytime you're stopped on a bike, keep your hands in view of the cop, move slow. Don't reach into your jacket or any such, that could be perceived as potentially dangerous. Helmet off is good, but I sure would hate to set it on the ground... | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Yeah, suppose you're right about putting it on the ground, better to just hang on to it. I tend to put it on the ground instead of resting it on the bike, my M2 will toss anything I put on it to the ground and I've seen too many helmets hit the ground when I was teaching because students put them somewhere precarious like the seat. Koz, I bet you are right about the mounting tabs. Not only are they removed but the swing arm is polished so you can't tell they were ever there. Since reading that book and going to work for the county here I try to drive/ride so I don't have to deal with cops. | ||
| Venom5sc |
I really appreciate everyone's input. I was able to remove the license plate holder and straighten it out so its close to what I think was stock. I didnt realize until then how high it was bent up. I was never pulled over by a state trooper but have heard stories like M2_tuber, I consider myself lucky for getting away with a warning. What he and another trooper were doing in the town of Sheboygan??? I have no idea. I did not take off my helmet but have one of those flip up helmets, does that offer the same effect of respect? Koz5150, you bring up a good point with the enduro thing. I have never seen an enduro with anything resembling a fender like the officer described. I was also very interested in taking off the tabs and polishing the swing arm like yours but second guessed myself for this very reason. What If I needed to put on back on??? And you do make a good point about the fact that if they arent there they wouldnt question because the officer did point the tabs out and said that a fender probobly mounted at those points, haha. He did seem to be pretty knowledgable about the bike and very talkative which also got me thinking that he really pulled me over to talk and get a better look at the bike?!?!? The more I think about it, it seems that most Buell riders are rebels in one way or another. Its what made me like the bikes so much. When you ride a Buell, you're doing it because you want to and not because everyone else has one. Littlebuggles, I can easily say that I am enjoying the hell out of my bike. People at the garage looked at me funny when I was willing to spent the money to rebuild the engine when clearly the blue book wasnt even that much and only had it for two weeks but man was it worth it! I have been watching Buells from the sidelines for years and finally bit the bullet last fall. Why in the world did I wait so long? | ||
| Koz5150 |
Well, I had run my bike without the plastic piece for years now. I did custom fabricate a belt gaurd out of stainless that uses the top tabs, the bottom ones were the ones I removed. I still think the cop was wrong about requiring one though. Had I of been there I might have asked him about the enduro thing. I do know it is state law that you are required to cover the tire but usually the body would cover like on a car. The law was intended to deal with guys putting oversized tires on 4WD trucks. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I'm curious about how the code is written. Something broad like "safety equipment shall not be removed or modified..." Well that would put a lot to officer discretion, you know? The test would be to see if the judge agreed with the officer's (troopers?) understanding/interpretation of the code. | ||
| Venom5sc |
Should I wait to see if I get stopped again to do something about the fender or spend the money on a CF hugger? I really dont want to spend the money but then again I dont want to get stopped again. Where would I look to see how the code is written? | ||
| Koz5150 |
I would blow it off, I am pretty sure they don't track warnings anywhere. Does the ticket state which law you violated? I would think it would have to. That would be worth reading. As for the belt guard, I made mine out of stainless steel. You are more then welcome to make a copy yourself if you want to see mine. A friend of mine used to sell copies of it on eBay a few years back. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Here is a pic wher you can see my belt guard  | ||
| Littlebuggles |
That looks good Koz, gets the job done and has a nice shine to go with the rest of your stuff. Venom, I'm switching out my LP sub-fender with a Buell CF unit this week, you are welcome to the take-off part for cheap if you want it. I can send some pics,it's scratched on the belt guard... but if the stop was random you might just leave it as Koz suggested since you've fixed the plate backer you shouldn't get stopped again on it. | ||
| Impala |
Trans 305.22 Fenders and projecting parts. (1) Every motor vehicle originally manufactured after January 1, 1950, every homemade vehicle registered after January 1, 1975, and every vehicle registered as a reconstructed vehicle after March 1, 1996 shall be equipped with adequate fenders covering the front and rear tires to prevent splashing of water and throwing of gravel, stones or other objects. Theres the law if your curious. I live in WI and do not have the factory rear fender attached on my X1. I think the license plate was the real issue. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Ah-ha! Thanks Impala, that explains things: "shall be equipped with adequate fenders covering the front and rear tires to prevent splashing of water and throwing of gravel, stones or other objects." So as Koz pointed out, seeing the vacant tabs told him something was gone. Don't get pulled over and you'll be fine  | ||
| Venom5sc |
Thanks Impala, that clears up alot! Its pretty much how the officer was explaining it. He was pointing out the tabs on the swingarm and trying to figure out what happen to the tail fender but whoever cut it did a really good job and your cant tell that it was cut. Little, I will work on that not getting pulled over haha! I appreciate the offer on the stock sub-fender but I think I am going to wait it out for now. Please post a pic of your new CF one though. Id like to see how they look. How much weight difference is there? (Message edited by venom5sc on March 21, 2010) | ||
| Impala |
There is also one that says your license plate has to be visiable. To me a little "angle" is ok by me, but the people who bend them is a no-no. I really hate when they are mounted really low behind the rear tire. I will not confirm my occupation....  I would be happy to answer any other questions. If I don't know it is easy to look it up. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Nothing like a strong descriptive word such as "adaquate" to describe what you need. If I got pulled over and actually got a ticket for the fender thing I would walk into the court with a picture of my bike and a brand new Enduro and ask the officer to explain the difference in "adaquate"  | ||
| Littlebuggles |
That Suzuki is SEXY, it would be a blast to ride on a tight track I bet. Sometimes it's in your favor to have laws that are a little vague. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Pics of the LP CF sub. First is close-up of the weave, it's nice looking although the weave is a little wandery and has weathered much better than the Buell CF parts I've run on the bike:   My bathroom scale is not that accurate, but the stock part is thick heavy fiber-glass. The CF is fairly light... I'll see if the kitchen scale can support the weight and post up results if I can. | ||
| Venom5sc |
Looks nice, but why did they extend the belt guard so far? Did it come with fasteners? | ||
| Littlebuggles |
That's a question you'd have to ask the original designer, the CF fender there is made from a stock part by Lockhart Phillips. The Buell [Pro Series] CF fender is the same, nicer weave though. American Sport Bike has one that features a shorter belt guard. Sold without fasteners, it's probably assumed you use the stock hardware (replacing the stock fender). I'm sure Al can get the hardware for you. You'll need wellnut's, nylon washers and screws, the stock hardware are size 27 Torx I believe. I can verify that in the morning when I can get all the info from the parts book. | ||
| Venom5sc |
Thanks | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Mmmmm-k, I misplaced my parts manual after going to the dealership to see if I could find a yes, instead of a no. PN #'s AA0406.11CDBL SCREW 1/4-20x3/4 truss hd., torx, black zinc, Gr.2 (Yes, these are T-27) M0705.3 WELL NUT (No further details in my 2000-2001 year manual on the well nuts.) BA0409.6BL WASHER, 1/4 I.D.x9/16 O.D., black nylon -Mike |
