New Texas projects in danger?

[Tommy Curtiss]

This is what I posted over in the "New Member" forum and I would really like some input to this subject before I go much further into my project dreams! I just don't see how the state can just say "NO MORE" when there are lots of the VW Trikes on the road already, and that's not what TEXAS is about!

So if you know something, or someway to get around this situation, besides becoming a licensed manufacture ( no telling how many hurdles that would take ) I think me and lots of other people would like to know

Previous post....
I have been doing a little research since someone "tipped" me off about registration of the new project!!! That's why I joined here,, INFORMATION! Thanks guy's ,,, I got the downloaded book, and it seems y'all are on to something,, The book states that two vehicles merged into one that were never meant to be,, etc.. one wheel vehicle into two wheeled vehicle, are not eligible for registration,,,

''Merged Vehicles
A vehicle created by assembling or merging two or more vehicles of different vehicle
classes, as defined by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), that were never
engineered and manufactured to be combined with one another, with one exception, are
NOT eligible to be titled in Texas. For example, a passenger vehicle combined with a
motorcycle is NOT eligible for a Texas Title. The one exception is that component parts
from 2-axle, 4-tire passenger cars (Classification 2) and 2-axle, 4-tire pickups, panels and
vans (Classification 3) can be interchanged with one another for purposes of constructing
an assembled vehicle."


Assembled and Rebuilt Vehicle Manual 2-6 TxDMV April 2014

[vw driver]

Although I don't live in Texas I am aware of this issue and I think it totally unfair. Texas DMV has decided that the only trikes they will license are motorcycle based trikes with a rear axle from a car. My fear is that other states are going to follow suit and enact similar regulations. If the time comes when I can not ride my VW trike I will quit riding. Due to disabilities only a VW trike will work for some of us.

[2006gold]

Sounds like a lawsuit under the disabilities act.

[vw driver]

My wife has Cerebrl Palsy, there is no way I can lift her onto a motorcycle based trike seat that is three feet in the air so a VW trike was the only option for us. I designed our trike to specifically address her needs, easy on, easy off, a car seat with arm rests. My daughter also goes riding with us and I haven't seen any motorcycle based trikes with three seats. It is a family activity for us. So I guess if a person is not disabled, doesn't take their kids and has $40,000 to purchase a motorcycle based trike they will receive the state's blessing. That seems to be the direction triking has taken. Unfortunately that is not an option for us. I fear this law in Texas is just the beginning, I see other states jumping on board.........I hope I am wrong. If our state passes a law like Texas our riding days will be over.

[stinger608]

I agree with VWDriver here! This is complete and utter BullSh!t!! As said, its just a matter of time until other states follow. I can see California following this crap soon.
Insane as there are thousands of VW trikes on the roads in California and Texas.

One way, possibly, around that is to completely manufacture the rear end of the trike to fit a VW running gear. Then it would be considered a totally manufactured chassis?
Of course that would mean a ton more work for the builder.
I have to assume the "manufactured" type VW trikes would be okay to title? If that is the case, then building the from from front to back would be acceptable.

[vw driver]

It seems to me that there is a movement in some states to get any sort of owner built or modified trike off of the road and allow only motorcycle based trikes with a kit installed by an authorized dealer to be licensed. I would like to know who or what is behind all of this after VW trikes being licensed for all these years. Why the sudden change?

[drumdoctor]

Over the last few months, there have been several trikes from Texas, that have been listed for sale on Craigslist, Oodle and a few other sites.
They were being sold because Texas will NOT renew their vehicle registrations and their trikes were not against the law.

One triker had just finished building his trike.
It was an older Jeep (sedan style) painted bright yellow, with a motorcycle front end.
I think that the owner had said that he had over $12,000 in it. He was selling it for several thousands less than he had in it.
That is so sad.
This law is so wrong on many levels.

[John Luciano]

Conn is sever on inspection of home made anything. Short of having to bring your own crash dummy. They will require you to produce a receipt for every part. They check the engineering of the Car or Trike. Check every weld ,nut and bolt. must meet all safety standards. No wooden floors. They check all lights ,horn,exhaust! Brakes stopping distance. You can't ride it to DMV it must be trailered.

You then get a serial Number.

You are only allowed one home made motorcycle.

( chopper/ trike ) over so many years.( I think 5 years maybe 10 ) So if you build it plan on keeping it.

If you sell it the person buying must go through the inspection again and the next trike you buy will be built by someone else.

[vw driver]

That is severe. I foresee the day when this sort of thing goes nationwide, I think it is just a matter of time. I have heard rumors that the motorcycle manufactures lobby is behind all of this. I believe in the future, if you want to ride you, will have to plunk down $40,000 for a government approved, cookie cutter trike. It seems that now everyone gets a Honda trike because they never have to work on it. They all look alike to me. The reason I built VW trike is because I can repair it if something goes wrong and I enjoy working on trikes, cars and bikes. Also my wife is disabled and can't ride on a motorcycle based trike so really we have no choice.

[B-2]

I think there is one way to get around this is by using a older bike with a title & use it to build the trike & getting Antique plates. You do not even have to get it checked to get Antique plates on a older bike. I got a 1977 Goldwing frame with a title & got Antique plates then just used the neck to build my trike. When getting Antique plates they do not even have to check the bike if it has a TX title. So far it has worked for me I am sure over time they will figure this out not sure what will happen then. I have a 30 Model-A pick-up & have Antique plates on it & if you get pulled over most cops don't even know that much about what a Antique plate is as long as the date is right on the plates & you have the paper work. I know it says you can only use Antique plates for shows & things like that but I am always going to show it off when I drive it. And the plates are good for 5 yrs can't beat it, then just get Grundy for insureance it only cost me $210 a yr for my model-A with full coverage up to $10,000. So when I get my trike done I will get the same thing for it. You just have to have insureance on a car for every driver in the house to get the insureance on the Antique

[bikerbillone]

I think Road Smith is still building some type of VW trike.

[stinger608]

I think Road Smith is still building some type of VW trike.

I think there is a few companies manufacturing VW trikes, to be honest. I am sure there isn't near the amount there was in the 70's and 80's but I would guess there is still probably 4 or 5 manufactures.

[B-2]

Although I don't live in Texas I am aware of this issue and I think it totally unfair. Texas DMV has decided that the only trikes they will license are motorcycle based trikes with a rear axle from a car. My fear is that other states are going to follow suit and enact similar regulations. If the time comes when I can not ride my VW trike I will quit riding. Due to disabilities only a VW trike will work for some of us.

If this is the case then just using the rear tras axle & motor from a vw would be the same thing I would think. By not using the body or floor pan then you are just building with the rear axle from a car. I guess I need to do some checking at the DMV & find out what they tell me.

[Bobby Stubbs]

I have a 1969 Stallion Trike from Custom Trikes of Phoenix..it has gone through many changes in its life..and has been stored for 2 years due to an accident I had in my car I could not ride..Now I have it back up and running and ready to roll..I have a Texas title so renewing the lisence should not be a problem..I remember when the insurence companys killed the kit car and dune buggy industry..I wonder who the snake behind the tree is this time..big bike companys ?

[John Luciano]

One thing Conn does is Granfathered in. If it is registered than you continue. You could just never sell it.

[peteg59]

While I don't live anywhere near the great state of Texas, this issue in Texas needs to be kept in sharp focus for all of US.
Is there a bike organization like ABATE, in TX?
You folks in Texas need to organize & challenge the legislation.
Not an easy task, but it needs to happen to keep uninformed legislators from enacting other more restrictive laws on our lifestyle.
Good luck to all of my fellow trikers in Texas, as the rest of the country will be watching...

[vw driver]

I've read that ABATE and BTW in Texas are hoping to challenge this bogus law. They have my support 100%.

[JimLee]

I've read that ABATE and BTW in Texas are hoping to challenge this bogus law. They have my support 100%.

I agree it's not right. I am a Regional Director with BTW and we are working with a couple of Government officials to try and remedy this but we all know how fast they work.