Texas will not renew homebuilt trike tags

[Chariot of Fire]

In September 2013 Texas law changed the law for home built trikes. They will not be allowed to renew the registeration, the law even targeted VW
trikes. any trike that has been built with motorcycle front end on a car back end. If it was engineered that way will work. This law can affect other states next.

[butchvoss]

I was reading that if it has a valid Motorcycle title then its ok. I guess the loophole is a valid motorcycle title.

[Chariot of Fire]

When I read the law it said no combing two vehical class like motorcycle and VW. even Chevy and ford. The hy-way patrol would pull over home built trikes and if the title said MC they would inpound, because it looked like a tike. I have a friend who cut up his trike here in texas. People would get notice from the state that their trike could not be renewed. Now other states are going to follow suit. A.B.A.T.E. here is working on amendment. We need to stick together on this. If it is built by a trike builder that id ok.

[Zoart]

Please post a link or law number so I can read this myself...

[skuuter]

Tennessee has no issues whatsoever with Homebuilt Trikes, Motorcycles, Street Rods, etc., as long as all of the safety standards are met and all DOT equipment is present and working (horn, mirrors, turn signals, etc.).....

[vw driver]

I fear Washington State is heading in that direction. As it stands now a person is not allowed to test for their trike endorsement on a home built trike. I have contacted a state safety technician about these issues but have received no response.........imagine that.

[S. Wyatt]

This is a very old thread without any follow up, am I to assume that Texas trikers have given up without even a fight?

Sounds like Tennessee has the right Idea.That's a LOGICAL response to concerns about substandard construction issues. We have to admit that is a problem on some home builds, not everyone is a good builder and or welder. However everyone CAN be required to pass a safety inspection, we do it at the drag races, circle track, etc..Though I can weld, on important stuff, I cut it, fit it, tack it up, then take it to a buddy that is a pro, to weld it out. I'm not willing to risk my neck on My welds.

I had three reasons for building my (half finished when I stopped) trike. First, I don't trust "factory built motorcycle" trikes or conversions. they are too short, too narrow, with too much weight up too high, (can you say highside). When a trike highsides it always throws the passengers right in the path of the flipping trike. Second, I need an automatic transmission. Third, and most importantly, I don't have the kind of money needed to purchase a "Legal" custom built trike.

Does anyone know who sponsored this bill, law, or whatever, and what his/her thinking was at the time? What they were trying to achieve except putting many handicapped Vets and older riders off of the roads.

You know.... this law has put a ton of money in the pockets if the motorcycle industry. I wonder if they started this.

They always say "Follow the money".

Still pissed after four years!

[Trike-Man]

I'd be interested in finding out more,

I have a Corvair, the motor needs overhauled. I have a attempt at building a Trike from a VW. I have a Motorcycle shop that's getting Me a Titled GS 1200 Frame. Now all I have to do is Cobble all this together into something I can ride & maybe carry a Passenger. I figure there should be someone Here who could advise Me one how to go about this ….

My Motorcycle shop man says use the Corvair motor, (rotates CCW) with the VW (motor rotates CW) Trans-axle, what I would like to do is, Mount Corvair motor forward of Trans-axle. Here's a photo of the look I'm after …. Anything Yawl can suggest or help with would Be appreciated ….

Oh and if the Frame is titled does it matter what mods are made ??? I've seen a motorcycle made into a Trike, but it just had outrigger wheels added on beside the Rear wheel, so it looked like a trike. I do have a professional friend who can fix my mistakes in welding, (Still learning) …. I hope I can get this done soon so I can get My head in the wind ….

[Trike-Man]

Please post a link or law number so I can read this myself...

Yes please I was planning a Corvair Rear suspension added to a GS 1200 frame with title ….. my Corvair was purchased from TV Show Queen of the South ….. So it had no title …. when I look at it I think restore …. But purdy sure She's wanting to be a Trike ….

[rhino 2]

Yes please I was planning a Corvair Rear suspension added to a GS 1200 frame with title ….. my Corvair was purchased from TV Show Queen of the South ….. So it had no title …. when I look at it I think restore …. But purdy sure She's wanting to be a Trike ….

Just google Texas DMV on motorcycles registration’ Rules on trikes are constantly changing this is an old post ������

[Trike-Man]

Just google Texas DMV on motorcycles registration’ Rules on trikes are constantly changing this is an old post ������

Thanks Rhino …. I'll do that ...

[hogcowboy]

Two questions...

1) Does this affect a Boss Hoss in anyway? Since they have a lot of car parts. Not sure what they use for a rear-end but I can certainly see some of the older ones having a cut-down rear-end.

2) Were the enough documented cases where the rear-end was the failure in accidents or did the conversion companies just get to the law makers?

[LarryA]

Curious about origins of this law also?

wondering what happening triggered this bill?

bad injury accident?

state wants less, or no involvement with special vehicles?

or as Hog Cowboy mentioned, trike mfgs. wanting more market share?

Here in ND, auto/truck repair shops that comply with state inspection standards can do a safety inspection that, if passed, will allow you to title and licence a home built vehicle.

Hoping that Abate or similar organizations can resolve this issue.

[Trike-Man]

I talked to a Greenville policeman yesterday about this and He said there wouldn't be a problem .... Just a old post .... He says " All Trikes are Home built .... So I'm proceeding .... I have 64 arces I can ride it on if I can't get on the Street .....

[peteg59]

This thread is aged, and possibly outdated as far as info goes?

Are there any Texas Trikers who currently ride "homebuilt" trikes today?

[Trike-Man]

Well since that new three wheeled Can Am thang came out they may have backed down on the regulations ….. And besides that …. We're Texans …. and it's a whole nother country …. We do it then ask permission ….

[Ozarkryder]

My suggestion would be to get on the web and look up your local ABATE. Shoot them an email, or go to a meeting and contact the Legislative person. Someone at the DOT or DMV should be able to answer your questions. I'd probably rely on the state offices rather than a local office, though local may be a place to sart.

[rhino 2]

I talked to a Greenville policeman yesterday about this and He said there wouldn't be a problem .... Just a old post .... He says " All Trikes are Home built .... So I'm proceeding .... I have 64 arces I can ride it on if I can't get on the Street .....

If the policeman said “All trikes are homebuilt..Maybe you were talking to Depty Fife 🙄📞

[rodekyll]

I talked to a Greenville policeman yesterday about this and He said there wouldn't be a problem .... Just a old post .... He says " All Trikes are Home built .... So I'm proceeding .... I have 64 arces I can ride it on if I can't get on the Street .....

Unfortunately, his opinion isn't shared by the state of Texas. You really need to do a serious investigation of the current rules. The issue is real, it could prevent you from putting your trike on the street, and it is bigger than simply not issuing titles to new homebuilt motorcycle trikes.

The state of the law and the way it came about were deal breakers for me moving to Texas. It's too complex to type out. But several good folks here have warned you to study up. You don't get to ignore them in favor of this town cop's ignorant assessment and then come back later all sad that it didn't work out for you.

Whatever you decide, I hope you go forward with your eyes open and good luck.

[S. Wyatt]

If I understand correctly, they wont even reissue license (registration) to home built trikes that have been running Texas roads for YEARS.

Veterans, got a home built? Might as well move out of state, Texas doesn't want you. I'm thinking that if Texas gets away with this, (and it looks like they are) look for other states to follow suit.

There is no logical reason why a home built that passes a safety inspection should not be licensed. This sounds to me like the motorcycle industry pushed this, to sell more of their 20K to 30K "Factory Trikes".

Wyatt

Still pissed after 5 years.