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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tromper on April 10, 2017, 11:56:02 AM

Title: Turn Sig's in the U.S. Just in case ya wondered
Post by: Tromper on April 10, 2017, 11:56:02 AM

I've always thought the non-U.S. bikes had a cleaner look to 'em, but had always head that there was a Federal reg against that.
In a spat of curiousity I poked around & finally found it.
In case you've ever wondered you can find it here https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2004-title49-vol5/xml/CFR-2004-title49-vol5-sec571-108.xml (https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2004-title49-vol5/xml/CFR-2004-title49-vol5-sec571-108.xml)
The verbiage is pretty specific:

Horizontally, turn signals must be:
At or near the front—1 amber on each side of the vertical centerline at the same height, and having a minimum horizontal separation distance (centerline of lamps) of 16 inches. Minimum edge to edge separation distance between lamp and headlamp is 4 inchesAt or near the rear—1 red or amber on each side of the vertical centerline, at the same height and having a minimum horizontal separation distance (centerline to centerline of lamps) of 9 inches. Minimum edge to edge separation distance between lamp and tail or stop lamp is 4-inches, when a single stop and taillamp is installed on the vertical centerline and the turn signal lamps are red.

Vertically:
Not less than 15 inches, nor more than 83 inches.

Since the rest of the world gets by without it I think it's a bit silly, but as the French cest...la vie.

Title: Re: Turn Sig's in the U.S. Just in case ya wondered
Post by: Chris0381 on April 10, 2017, 01:10:38 PM

I don't believe we even need turn signals here in Connecticut.

I always try and give a hand signal when in traffic on top of my turn signal.

Left arm straight out for left turn, left arm bent upwards for right turn.

Title: Re: Turn Sig's in the U.S. Just in case ya wondered
Post by: MJR on April 10, 2017, 03:03:54 PM

I was just telling a fellow MyRoad owner this is why our turn signals are on the mirrors instead of the body like other places in the world. I found out about it many years ago while building concept cars, namely the Plymouth Prowler because to go to production they had to in this case move the headlights further apart to meet Federal Standards. Some states make their own regulations while others leave it up to the Feds.

Title: Re: Turn Sig's in the U.S. Just in case ya wondered
Post by: Tromper on April 11, 2017, 01:03:24 AM

Quote from: Chris0381 on April 10, 2017, 01:10:38 PM

I don't believe we even need turn signals here in Connecticut...

I don't think most cars have 'em installed around here; although the state patrol is pretty sure they are installed
https://www.facebook.com/1702864376662853/videos/1873561542926468/ (https://www.facebook.com/1702864376662853/videos/1873561542926468/)

But if you're serious, I'm not sure how that'd work.  I think the Fed would be the default on that or perhaps you couldn't legally use any U.S. highways or Freeways, only state or local.
Either way the bikes would be setup for 50 state & Fed vs just CT.