Can someone please tell me what the motorcycle turn signal laws are for PA. I have been doing heavy research lately and there is huge contradiction.

Input anyone?

 

just dont get pulled over, and most cops dont even know these laws for the most part. my rears are about 6 inches apart, mounted on the rear fender and ive never been stopped. whats are you looking to do, signals mounted to the rear fender or real signals. real signals i wouldnt worry, most meet the requirement, but the fender ones, if the cops a dick, might be a problem. again, just dont be the doushe thats braking a much of road laws and i think your fine.

 

§ 175.146. Lighting and electrical systems.
(a) Condition of lamps and switches. Every required lamp or switch shall be in safe operating condition as described in § 175.160 (relating to inspection procedure).

(b) Lighting standards. Lamps shall comply with the vehicle lighting equipment requirements of Tables II, IV and V; Chapter 153; and 75 Pa.C.S. § 4301.

(c) Headlamp system. A motorcycle driven on a highway shall have at least one and no more than two headlamps. See 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303(a) (relating to general lighting requirements).

(1) Lamps in the headlamp system shall be of Type I or Type II construction. On one-lamp system, the lamp shall be located in the center of the vehicle. On a two-lamp system, the lamps shall be symetrically located on each side of the vehicle’s vertical centerline.

(2) The headlamp low beam minimum candlepower shall not be less than 7,500.

(3) The headlamp high beam minimum candlepower shall not be less than 10,000.

(4) Every headlamp shall be aimed to comply with inspection procedure of this subchapter.

(5) Approved SAE modulating lamps are legal.

(6) A motorcycle shall be equipped with a manual dimmer switch conveniently located for use by the driver while in a normal operating position. An automatic dimming device may be used in addition to a manual switch.

(7) A motorcycle shall be equipped with a beam indicator which shall be lighted whenever the high beam of light from the headlamp is in use and shall not otherwise be lighted. The indicator shall be so located that when lighted it is readily visible without glare to the operator of the vehicle.

(d) Total candlepower. Total candlepower for headlamps and auxiliary lamps shall not exceed 150,000.

(e) Other required lamps. A motorcycle shall have at least one red stop lamp and no more than two—one on each side—on the rear of the vehicle, which shall be illuminated immediately upon application of the service brake.

(f) Illumination except headlamps, fog lamps and auxiliary driving lamps. A motorcycle shall have a stop lamp and tail lamp which, under normal atmospheric conditions, shall be capable of being seen and distinguished during nighttime operation at a distance of 500 feet. See 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303(b) and (d).

(1) Rear lamps shall be lighted whenever headlamps, fog lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are in operation.

(2) A vehicle specified under this subchapter may be equipped with turn signals.

(3) The turn signals shall have a frequency of flash between 60—120 flashes per minute.

(4) The stop lamps shall be operated through a switching arrangement so that any motion of brake towards applied position immediately illuminates the stop lamp.

(5) The stop lamps shall not be combined with turn signal lamps unless arrangement of switches or other parts are such that the stop lamp is extinguished when the turn signal is in use.

(6) The stop lamps shall be visible for 100 feet in normal sunlight.

(7) A motorcycle manufactured after 1978 shall be equipped with an alternator, generator or electrical energy storage source, capable of providing lighting in compliance with Chapter 153 (relating to lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment) and SAE J392—Appendix B (relating to motorcycle and motor vehicle cycle electrical system (maintenance of design voltage)—SAE J392)—Maintenance of Design Voltage.

(8) A motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one red reflector to the rear.

(9) A motorcycle shall have at least one tail lamp if it was manufactured after 1973 or if originally so equipped.

(g) Condition and position of lamps. Lamps shall be properly fastened; direct light properly; be of a color not contrary to Tables II, IV and V; and not be so obstructed by a screen, bar, auxiliary equipment or a device as to obscure, change the color of or obstruct the beam.

(h) Ornamental lamps. A lamp not enumerated in this section, and not located as described in Tables III—V of this chapter, is prohibited unless it is available as original equipment. An illuminated sign is prohibited. Flashing or revolving lights are not ornamental lamps. Provisions relating to flashing or revolving lights are located in Chapters 15 and 173 (relating to authorized vehicles and special operating privileges; and flashing or revolving lights on emergency and authorized vehicles).

(i) [Reserved].

(j) Registration plate lamp. A registration plate lamp, if originally equipped, shall emit white light and make the registration plate visible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of the vehicle.

(k) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps. Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps may be installed on a motorcycle if they comply with the following requirements:

(1) Fog lamps shall not be substituted for headlamps except under conditions of rain or fog. Fog lamps may be used with lower headlamp beams.

(2) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps shall be mounted on front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 42 inches above level surface upon which the vehicle stands. Rear fog lamps, if originally installed or offered as optional equipment, are acceptable.

(3) Auxiliary lamps and fog lamps shall be aimed when the vehicle and lamp assembly are in the straight ahead position with the beam not above the horizontal centerline of the lamp at 25 feet.

(4) A motorcycle may have one and no more than two approved auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps.

(5) Auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps shall not be placed in front of any required lamp.

(6) A vehicle equipped with headlamps, auxiliary driving lamps or fog lamps may not have more than four forward projecting lamps illuminated at the same time.

(l) Antique vehicle lighting exemption. An antique vehicle, if operated exclusively between the hours of sunrise to sunset and not during periods of reduced visibility or insufficient illumination, is exempt from requirements of this section, except requirements pertaining to stop lamps.

(m) Battery fastening. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with a system which is specifically designed for the secure fastening of the battery.


this is what i found, and i dont see anything about signal distance, so i think your safe. found it here, http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/06...bchapHtoc.html.

 

The AMA has motorcycle traffic and safety equipment regs for every state. In looking at Penn., It stated that turn signals are not required. My state, Texas, doesn't require them, and many other states don't require them which may seem odd.

 

I was told by an inspection station that the turn signals have to be 15" apart... Mine arnt, me and my riding buddies have talked about this, how does it work with custom choppers they dont have signals... I would go to the state troopers and ask them, cause in the end its thier say so. If an inspection station fights you show them proof. But the laws might be different if a vehicle comes from the factory with signals .

 

I've been told the same thing - signals must be at least 15" apart. I was also told that if a bike came with signals from the factory, it must have them, otherwise you can go without them. I don't know how the chopper guys get away with that stuff either.

The shop I usually go to for inspections lets just about anything fly. He pretty much just slaps a sticker on and off I go. I took my KLX to get inspected at a new shop, and they weren't happy that my aftermarket signals didn't say "DOT" or "SAE" on them. They passed it though. What was funny is that they actually bothered to measure the tread depth of a brand new Trakmaster. I said "I think 5/8" will pass, don't you?". Unfortunately, it all boils down to who's making the judgement.

 

Wow, this is really a freakin mess. It just seems like "whatever" goes. Its such a grey area, your just better off to use the best judgment you can and hope for the best. Because even if you have a factory bike, that doesn't mean you wont catch crap.

 

You think that's odd, Insurance isn't required on a motorcycle in Washington, how stupid is that?

 

dude, states with inspections crack me up. if a cop bothered to look at my rear tire right now, i would get a ticket for sure. when i order all my stuff and put it on ill take a pick and show you. and i think the no insurance thing is basicly comes down to this, if there is more than 1000 dollars in damage in a motorcycle accident, your probably dead.

 

In PA, you can not always go with what will pass inspection at a station. What is required by law and what is required to pass an inspection could be 2 different things. Just because you just passed an inspection and got a new sticker you could be pulled over and cited for a violation as soon as you leave.

I need to dig out the book they gave us when I got my inspection license and read through the MC turn signal laws. I too have been wondering about it.