it extra sucks in PA. They just passed a law that your rear fender must extend beyond the rear tire in order to pass inspection. You need a speedo, gear indicator, turnsignal indicator, on the console. illuminated license plate, lights, they check brakes - but not sure if that's a courtesy to the rider/safety issue.
PA says the bike must be 'safe' and if the inspection station feels it's not safe, they don't have to put a sticker on it - whether it's technically correct or not!!!
what a rip!
I am in PA too and I usually get about 5 or 6 inspected each year. I have not heard of the fender thing yet. Never heard of needing a "gear indicator" either...Most bikes don't have such a thing (unless you mean a neutral light). Not all of mine have that either.
I have read over the PA inspection regs and they are confusing at best.
I used to get all my bikes inspected at a local Harley shop. Now I get a limited number done there. I took my '73' Triumph Tiger there 2 years ago. I had taken the turn signals off many years before as I was tired of replacing broken signals. The guy inspecting my bike said "Didn't come with turn signals, huh?" I replied "Yeah, but I took 'em off."
Well the head mechanic heard the conversation , came over and said... "We can't inspect that. If he would have an accident and they looked up the records and found out that bike came with turn signals we could loose our license." Well they had already told me that 1973 was a turning point, some bikes came with and some without turn signals, thus the fact that he questioned me. How on earth are the cops gonna find "records" on a 34 year old (at the time) bike?? Would they even care to waste time, effort and money to do so? The guy who started inspecting the bike told me "If he wasn't here I'd inspect it." and he is the owner of the shop !!
Anyway, over the years I have been hit with very minor items, turn signals (above story), no mirror (have to have at least one on the left side), I had a plate on the front fork of the same Triumph for the sticker...The same idiot who hit me on the turn signals hit me for the plate (at a different inspection) "You could take that off and put it on another bike." Yeah, sure after 20 minutes to remove it (the front fender struts had to be completely removed), figure out how to mount it on another bike and then remount it back on the Triumph...another 20 minutes, when I want to ride the Triumph. What a boob !
So yes, If I'm gonna have 'em on the road that year, I will have it inspected. Why tempt fate? It is less than $20...worth it in peace of mind IMO. Peace of mind from the cops, not peace of mind for the safety of the bike. I know how to make sure my bike is safe and I would trust my inspection over most mechanics anyway.