1. shawn DRZ400s

    shawn DRZ400s ODSC-OFTR Member

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    Is it legal to mount the license plate vertically?

    It seems on my new BajaDesigns rear fender it would fit best vertical. The fender is too skinny for normal mounting and would also require drilling new holes in the plate to do so.

    Thanks
  2. kelsow

    kelsow Limited User

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    I do and so do a lot of the club members down here. I have been seen and met a few officers and nothing has ever been said.
  3. Barry

    Barry Limited User

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    I got stopped once in Markham by a b!+*# cop, who said it was "Hard to read", basically I believe it was an excuse to check my paperwork, as she started back peddling a bit after running my liscence and I started asking where I would find the pertaining law... Ontario Highway Traffic Act. I wish I had gotten her information because I was really impressed with being stopped and being left on the side of the road putting my helmet back on when she took off in her car.... so many bad drivers, its terrifying. Besides I was doing NOTHING wrong at the time..... sorry starting to rant.

    Now, irritated by being held up for 15mins, and being left on the side of McCowan with evey idiot driver flying by me, when she decided to leave when I got home, I looked it up: Basically it has to be clearly visible, and unmolested, however I found nothing in regards to orientation.. however it would be logial that upside down is completely wrong.

    On two other stops no officer of the law has said anything else, and they where generally nice and polite with a minor reason for stopping me....
  4. bkowal

    bkowal ODSC-OFTR Member

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    Why give a COP a reason to pull you over, valid or not? You can mount the plate the normal way with the BD rear light, if you drill new holes, but it may get bent when hitting trees etc.
  5. erussell

    erussell Limited User

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    I had a Baja Designs kit on my old bike and vertically mounting the plate was the best way. The plate ends up sticking over the edge by a few inches on both sides if mounted the 'correct' way. Never had a problem with the law and I was pulled over but for other reasons. My vote is go for it!
  6. Klinkster

    Klinkster Limited User

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    Really it should be mounted properly, horizontaly.

    The law says it needs to be mounted so that it can be read from the back. It is hard to read when it is on it's side. Just mount it properly and save your self a possible issue later.
  7. vern549

    vern549 Limited User

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    I ended up folding over about 1/2" of both sides of my plate for it to fit the B.D. plate holder properly. I guess USA plates are smaller.
  8. REDLINER

    REDLINER Limited User

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    Section 13 HTAct

    http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Stat ... e.htm#BK32

    Every number plate shall be kept free from dirt and obstruction and shall be affixed so that the entire number plate, including the numbers, is plainly visible at all times, and the view of the number plate shall not be obscured or obstructed by spare tires, bumper bars, any part of the vehicle, any attachments to the vehicle or the load carried. 1994, c. 27, s. 138 (7).

    Also see section 12 and 14 for other PLATE laws!

    Number plates, further violations

    No other numbers to be exposed

    13. (1) No number other than that upon the number plate furnished by the Ministry shall be exposed on any part of a motor vehicle or trailer in such a position or manner as to confuse the identity of the number plate. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 13 (1).

    Number plate to be kept clean

    (2) Every number plate shall be kept free from dirt and obstruction and shall be affixed so that the entire number plate, including the numbers, is plainly visible at all times, and the view of the number plate shall not be obscured or obstructed by spare tires, bumper bars, any part of the vehicle, any attachments to the vehicle or the load carried. 1994, c. 27, s. 138 (7).

    Obstruction prohibited

    (3) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using a photo-radar system. 1993, c. 31, s. 2 (5).

    Same

    (3.0.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using a red light camera system. 1998, c. 38, s. 2 (1).

    Same

    (3.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device or material that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being identified by an electronic toll system. 1996, c. 1, Sched. E, s. 2 (1).

    Offence

    (4) Every person who contravenes subsection (2), (3), (3.0.1) or (3.1) is guilty of an offence. 1993, c. 31, s. 2 (5); 1996, c. 1, Sched. E, s. 2 (2); 1998, c. 38, s. 2 (2).
  9. REDLINER

    REDLINER Limited User

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    While we are on the subject of PLATES.........................

    Let's talk about license plate lights! Are they required??

    Section 62.2 of the Highway traffic Act states>>>>
    http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Stat ... .htm#BK106

    Lamps required on motorcycles

    (2) Subject to subsection (3), when on a highway at any time every motorcycle shall carry two lighted lamps in a conspicuous position, one on the front of the vehicle which shall display a white light only, and one on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red light only. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (2).

    Section 13.2 states>>>
    http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Stat ... e.htm#BK33
    Number plate to be kept clean

    (2) Every number plate shall be kept free from dirt and obstruction and shall be affixed so that the entire number plate, including the numbers, is plainly visible at all times, and the view of the number plate shall not be obscured or obstructed by spare tires, bumper bars, any part of the vehicle, any attachments to the vehicle or the load carried. 1994, c. 27, s. 138 (7).

    I can not locate the section that says PLATE LIGHTS ARE LAW! Can anyone shed some light on this subject????????
  10. Big Doug

    Big Doug Limited User

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  11. erussell

    erussell Limited User

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    Rear lamps to illuminate number plate

    (19) The lamp on the rear of a motor vehicle or trailer shall be of at least three candela and shall be so placed that it will, at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, illuminate the numbers on the number plate, or, if provision is made on the number plate or on any attachment furnished or required by the Ministry for affixing the lamp, it shall be affixed in the position or space provided, and the lamp shall face to the rear and reflect on the number plate a white light only. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (19)

    (2) The headlamp, tail lamp and licence plate lamp on a motorcycle manufactured on or after the 1st day of January, 1975 shall be continuously illuminated when the engine is operating and each forward gear is engaged.
  12. shawn DRZ400s

    shawn DRZ400s ODSC-OFTR Member

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    plate

    Thanks for the comments. Big Doug thanks for including that pic, it's so true, people would have to tilt their head just to read the plate.

    I may try out the vertical way. Or perhaps the 'normal' way and have the plate off centered and hanging off a fair bit on the one side...well that may just look too weird.

    Now, which vertical is most appropriate? Turn my plate to the right, reading top to bottom, or turn left reading the plate bottom to top?

    Shawn
  13. Jason H

    Jason H Limited User

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    I seem to recall at one of the races Beagle Bash or Great Pine maybe, that the organizers stated that the police were going to be cracking down on bikes with plates mounted vertically (amongst other things)... I know this is not stated explicitly in the HTA posted above, but IMO if you want to save yourself some hassle, mount it horizontally.

    Jason
  14. erussell

    erussell Limited User

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    If I remember right Jon Mutiger carries his plate mounted on his Aqua pack. Don't think it is 100% legal but no bending the plate and it is horizontal. Might work if you ride almost no roads but I wouldn't ride through town like that.
  15. Klinkster

    Klinkster Limited User

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    It's not legal, it must be attached to the vechile.

    Jason - It was the Begal Bash Enduro. I was one of the people the Police talked to and I changed my plate around properly.
  16. BillO

    BillO Limited User

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    Make a baking plate for it out of plastic or aluminum, screw the backing plate to the bike then mount the LP to the backing plate. Should make a tidy and professional looking installation.
  17. brucedwilson

    brucedwilson ODSC Executive

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    Busy day/weekend out there for the OPP. They were everywhere! (Hi, Al).

    I was pulled over on my XR250R, which used to have a Baja Designs kit. (A large amplitude rear wheel movement eliminated the tail piece, crunched the plate, and busted the signal lights).

    To now I have a plate affixed to the original Honda rear fender. It's mounted "horizontally", but consequently on about a 25 degree angle, tilted down to the back. I concur that it may be "difficult" to read. The law saws it must be "...plainly visible at all times...". So, it's a subjective call, I suppose. Note, I replaced the turn signals with LED lights from Princess Auto...they work really well...better than the BD kit.

    I was let off with a warning (I didn't have my ownership and insurance either...they were 5 minutes away at home...I was making a short commute to our leased farm, so I didn't wear my full riding kit with the First Aid, tools, and ownership, insurance, and ODSC membership card). He "believed" me.

    So, I'll learn to ride with my "kit" and papers and I'll try to find a way to attach the plate to make it more vertical...but so that I don't kick it every time I throw my leg over the back.

    Bruce
  18. dubbs

    dubbs Limited User

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    I have mine mounted the normal way but only use one lock nut and bolt. This way when I crash it just rotates and nothing brakes. Never had an issue with it catching on a tree. If my bike and I can fit through it then that little plate can fit.
  19. ecarnell

    ecarnell ODSC-OFTR Member

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    I have seen Bruce's "rear end" - I hope it didn't look like this still when you got pulled over....


    Are you getting some upgraded turn signals as well - as the XR's hold water for some reason?

    Attached Files:

  20. y2ktm

    y2ktm ODSC Executive

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    I use a dealer plate plastic cover mounted on the back of the plate. Its reasonably rigid and keeps the plate from bending and also provides a much less sharp edge around the plate. Typically pop rivet to the fender and then mount plate to the cover with standard Used to put them on frontwards as you would on a street bike but the mud gets between the cover and the plate and "obstructs the view of the numbers".

    Go see your local dealer and ask nicely for the clear solid plate cover then proceed to mount it on the back of the plate where no one can read it! My last one came from Apex Cycle but I also have a GP cycle one on my 300.

    Also use the cheep licence plate lights you can buy that are built into the plate screws. This gives me a licence plate light without too much bother and add no real complexity.