Got lucky

[mbalmer]

Last night I got pulled over for not having a reflector on my license plate. My integrated tail light is also illegal. The CHP guy was pretty cool. He told me that he also rode a MC. He admitted that he mostly pulled me over to make sure that my bike really belonged to me since it had been modified. I showed him my license and told him it would take some time to get my registration and insurance from under my seat. Just then he got a call that was more important so he let me go. I was glad I didn't get a fixit ticket for lack of reflector and having the integrated tail light. That would have been $50 + court costs/processing fees (around $150).

My question is how can I fit a reflector on my license plate? Do they accept those little reflector bolts? Since there was nothing in writing, should I even care?

[Popeye the Sailor]

I wouldn't care 

[mostrobelle]

Since there was nothing in writing, should I even care?

<thinking...thinking...> um, no.  

[desmoquattro]

I wouldn't sweat it unless I actually got a ticket. CHP likes to give people crap for that, or use it as an excuse to pull a bike over. If you're civil and respectful, they'll often let it slide. No sense incurring additional cost until you have to.

[johnc]

My question is how can I fit a reflector on my license plate? Do they accept those little reflector bolts? Since there was nothing in writing, should I even care?

despite the other answers above ... i am going to say "yes, you should care".

more and more po pos (city cops, highway patrols, i bet even campus cops) are going to start writing up fix it tix any chance they get ... to generate more revenue for their departments, so they can keep their jobs.

for this very reason, i purchased a stock hypermotard license plate bracket that still had the rear reflector intact (i had previously trimmed off the stock one that came with the bike).

don't know about legality of those little reflector license plate bolts  ... as usual, the vehicle code book is LESS than clear in definitions ... perhaps one of the lawyers here on MOB can translate?
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24607.htm
Reflectors on Rear

24607.  Every vehicle subject to registration under this code shall at all times be equipped with red reflectors mounted on the rear as follows:
(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with at least one reflector so maintained as to be plainly visible at night from all distances within 350 to 100 feet from the vehicle when directly in front of the lawful upper headlamp beams.

(b) Every vehicle, other than a motorcycle or a low-speed vehicle , manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1965, shall be equipped with at least two reflectors meeting the visibility requirements of subdivision (a), except that trailers and semitrailers manufactured after July 23, 1973, that are less than 30 inches wide, may be equipped with one reflector which shall be mounted at or near the vertical centerline of the trailer. If the vehicle is equipped with two reflectors, they shall be mounted as specified in subdivision (d).

(c) Every motortruck having an unladen weight of more than 5,000 pounds, every trailer coach, every camp trailer, every vehicle, or vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles, subject to subdivision (a) of Section 22406, and every vehicle 80 or more inches in width manufactured on or after January 1, 1969, shall be equipped with at least two reflectors maintained so as to be plainly visible at night from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet from the vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper headlamp beams.

(d) When more than one reflector is required, at least one shall be mounted at the left side and one at the right side, respectively, at the same level. Required reflectors shall be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than 60 inches, except that a tow truck, in addition to being equipped with the required reflectors, may also be equipped with two reflectors which may be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than the maximum allowable vehicle height and as far forward as the rearmost portion of the driver's seat in the rearmost position. Additional reflectors of a type meeting requirements established by the department may be mounted at any height.

(e) Reflectors on truck tractors may be mounted on the rear of the cab. Any reflector installed on a vehicle as part of its original equipment prior to January 1, 1941, need not meet the requirements of the department provided it meets the visibility requirements of subdivision (a).

(f) Area reflectorizing material may be used in lieu of the reflectors required or permitted in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), provided each installation is of sufficient size to meet the photometric requirement for those reflectors.

Amended Ch. 216, Stats. 1990. Effective January 1, 1991.
Amended Sec. 36, Ch. 766, Stats. 1995. Effective January 1, 1996.
Amended Sec. 7, Ch. 140, Stats. 1999. Effective January 1, 2000.

[Cynic]

I just had to go out and look at my bike (rear reflectors? wtf) yep got mine... Though the side ones look lame and I want to take those off 

[sally101]

more and more po pos (city cops, highway patrols, i bet even campus cops) are going to start writing up fix it tix any chance they get ... to generate more revenue for their departments, so they can keep their jobs.

Get ready to get soaked! Fix-it tickets have become a de-facto tax rather than an issue of public safety.. So while our legislators can't pass a budget, they found time to increase the fines for some fix-it tickets...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28936794/

Revolution anyone?

[desmoquattro]

Get ready to get soaked! Fix-it tickets have become a de-facto tax rather than an issue of public safety.. So while our legislators can't pass a budget, they found time to increase the fines for some fix-it tickets...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28936794/

Revolution anyone?

The answer is prop 13: increasing fines takes a simple majority in the CA legislature while passing a budget or increasing income taxes or other types of taxes takes a 2/3 vote, thanks to the 1978 proposition. Increasing fines is the low-hanging fruit in times of budget crisis.

[sally101]

The answer is prop 13: increasing fines takes a simple majority in the CA legislature while passing a budget or increasing income taxes or other types of taxes takes a 2/3 vote, thanks to the 1978 proposition. Increasing fines is the low-hanging fruit in times of budget crisis.

Doesn't make it right! 

[desmoquattro]

Doesn't make it right! 

Just stating facts

[sally101]

Just stating facts

I hears ya.. But I would argue that our messed up districts that elect more polarized candidates are equally responsible.. I don't remember having the yearly budget crap before the mid 90's.. Why is that?

[desmoquattro]

I hears ya.. But I would argue that our messed up districts that elect more polarized candidates are equally responsible.. I don't remember having the yearly budget crap before the mid 90's.. Why is that?

We're in danger of delving into politics here But suffice it to say that gerrymandering was a deccennial phenomenon in CA long before the early 90's.

[sfarchie]

If it is true fix it tickets will be issued more now, then anything is fair game, including aftermarket exhausts? If anyone does get a ticket for their exhaust, please post. Curious to see if this will be the trend.

[Desmostro]

I thought this was going to be about a date-night. 


The reflectors on my 848 are stuck on the forks with double stick tape. As if to say, "please remove after opening the package. 
You could flick them off with one finger. 

"

Just stating facts

What happened with your ticket DQ? Didn't you get a reflector ticket?

[mbalmer]

I thought this was going to be about a date-night. 

Nah. Too old. (geriatric smiley)