NH Inspection Requirements

[SRTie4k]

Just found the NH requirements for motorcycle inspection elsewhere on the web, and figured they'd be handy here.

See the following: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rule...saf-c3200.html

[SRTie4k]

I just brought my bike to get inspected, and they did an initial inspection (so as not to charge me if I were to fail) and told me I need DOT approved turn signals.

Now I can't for the life of me find DOT approved LED turn signals for my bike. Anyone know where I can get some universal DOT approved signals? Or maybe a less strict inspection station near Keene?

[Pigman]

Buy some stockers off ebay....they just need the little writing on them (SAE) I think and I know clearalternatives does it whith thiers..also

[nhbubba]

Hey, does anyone know if 2 mirrors are required for inspection? My read of the regs is no, only one is required.

PART Saf-C 3239 MOTORCYCLE REAR VIEW MIRRORS

Saf-C 3239.01 Rear View Mirror.

(a) A motorcycle shall be rejected if:

(1) It is not equipped with a rear view mirror;

(2) The rear view mirror is loosely mounted, so that the driver’s rear vision is impaired;

(3) The rear view mirror is mounted in a position so that it cannot be adjusted from the driver's seat;

(4) The driver’s rear vision is obscured because the glass is cracked, pitted or clouded;

(5) The rear view mirror has sharp edges; or

(6) The rear view mirror is less than 2 inches in diameter.

[nhbubba]

Doh. I should search betterer.

Randy says no, 1 is good 'nuf.

[SRTie4k]

Doh. I should search betterer.

Randy says no, 1 is good 'nuf.

I think it actually depends on the inspection station, and/or the inspector.

I asked about getting my naked TLS (with 1 mirror) inspected here locally at American Trike and Motorsports in Keene and they said it'd only pass if it had the same number of mirrors it came with stock.

[jasnmar]

Yes, it does often depend on the inspector. Not all of them are capable of reading the requirements correctly (but the requirements aren't always that clear).

I got failed last year for brake pads when I still had wear indicators showing. He was also worried that my front pads were wearing faster than my rear pads...

[MHenry600]

Hey, does anyone know if 2 mirrors are required for inspection? My read of the regs is no, only one is required.

The way that is written tells me that you only need one. It needs to be equipped with "a" rear view mirror. And all the other lines say "the" rear view mirror, implying that there is only one.

This is all in a perfect world though, and obviously you will end up with people that interpret the rules differently.

[nhbubba]

Yeah. I was 'warned' about my brakes being marginal a year or two ago. Convinced that he was seeing something I wasn't, I promptly ordered a full set of pads and got ready to install them. When I pulled the calipers and inspected the pads there was just no way I could bring myself to throw them out with such little wear. .. I think that was two summers ago. I still have the new pads in my box o' spares. And the same guy passed me without any comment last summer.

You know what, I'll just put stock mirrors back on for inspection. No sense poking that particular bear.

I'm also shopping for a new inspection guy.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

1 mirror is all thats required
turn signals do not have to be DOT

The laws are very grey and open to interpretation and every station/inspector has a right to fail a bike for anything he/she doesnt like.
We try to stick to the book, no matter how vague it is. Up until recently we were under the belief that turn signals had to be DOT but have discovered that no such law exists. They have to blink and be visible.
I had to pass 2 obscenely loud bikes the other day because they tested at 92Db. Thats the limit, and they were at it. I reluctantly put stickers on them.
headlight modulators and flashing tail lights I will fail

Come see me at the shop and ill sticker it.

[jasnmar]

headlight modulators and flashing tail lights I will fail

Really? Why?

[Kurlon]

Yes, it does often depend on the inspector. Not all of them are capable of reading the requirements correctly (but the requirements aren't always that clear).

I got failed last year for brake pads when I still had wear indicators showing. He was also worried that my front pads were wearing faster than my rear pads...

Just an FYI, those grooves in the pads aren't wear indicators... your pads can be inspection fail-able despite those grooves still being present.

[nhbubba]

PART Saf-C 3231 MOTORCYCLE BRAKES

Saf-C 3231.01 Inspection of Service Brake.

(a) A motorcycle shall be rejected if:

...

(12) Brake pads or shoes are worn to within 2/32 inch at the thinnest point or 2/32 inch of any rivet; or

...

I have never, ever, ever seen an inspection agent measure. It's highly arbitrary. Which is annoying.

[rolker]

I have never, ever, ever seen an inspection agent measure. It's highly arbitrary. Which is annoying.

I guess you could pre-measure it and show up armed with data.


...or just bring it to Oxx.

[stoinkythepig]

I'm also shopping for a new inspection guy.

Horne's Auto Body in Epping is good and easy.

[ZX-12R]

headlight modulators and flashing tail lights I will fail

Flashing tail lights I understand, but headlight modulators are specifically allowed by federal law. What justification does your shop use for failing people with them?

[Kurlon]

NH doesn't specifically permit them at the state level, so an inspection shop is in the right to fail an inspection for something not spelled out as ok in the state's manual.

[jasnmar]

Not sure if agree.

NH state law doesn't permit a motorcycle with 6 forward facing "headlights".
NH state law doesn't permit a motorcycle with a reverse.
NH state law doesn't permit aimable headlights.

Doesn't mean that can fail me for it... I think??

[Kurlon]

Actually, there are rules on the number of headlights (total output limit) and aimable, as in you can't have'em. As far as reverse, there are no restrictions against it, nor do they fail Goldwings for having it that I'm aware of.

[ZX-12R]

NH doesn't specifically permit them at the state level...

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that permits motorcycle headlight modulation is FMVSS 108 and Title 49 USC 30103 (b1) prohibits a state from banning any system that conforms to FMVSS 108. NH (or any state for that matter) cannot make a law to prohibit their use so long as it conforms to the federal standard. The lack of mention in NH's RSA's also does not make it a criteria for inspection failure since it is allowed at the federal level.

[jasnmar]

But there's no rule against a modulator either (that I can find).

There's no rule on reverse, so it is permitted.
- by that argument -
There's no rule on a modulator, so it is permitted.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

Like kurlon said, its my right to not put a sticker on your bike for any reason I want. In my personal opinion, modulating headlights mimic emergency vehicles, which is against the law...on every level. Im ok with flashing tail lights if they flash and then go solid. A constantly flashing brake light, in my opinion, is the same as a headlight modulator.

[RandyO]

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that permits motorcycle headlight modulation is FMVSS 108 and Title 49 USC 30103 (b1) prohibits a state from banning any system that conforms to FMVSS 108. NH (or any state for that matter) cannot make a law to prohibit their use so long as it conforms to the federal standard. The lack of mention in NH's RSA's also does not make it a criteria for inspection failure since it is allowed at the federal level.

Won't be the first, or last time that NH thumbed it's nose at federal laws and regulations

http://benswann.com/breaking-new-ham...ors-signature/

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

As for brake pad thickness, use common sense. If you look at them and think "those might pass" then replace them. If they will obviously pass then dont worry about it.

[dannyjm]

The way that is written tells me that you only need one. It needs to be equipped with "a" rear view mirror. And all the other lines say "the" rear view mirror, implying that there is only one.

This is all in a perfect world though, and obviously you will end up with people that interpret the rules differently.

I wouldn't want to ride on a bike with only one mirror. But I like my big ugly "golf club" turn signals too. See and be seen to be a bit safer. you can quote me on that.