Undertail plates?

**sAsLEX** · 21st February 2010, 21:42

I was after some discussion on undertail plates.

I have lost two plates from them shearing off from the vibration hanging out the back of the cbr, and just had the plate hanger break as well from the vibration and shock it gets way out there.

Buying a Clearalternatives integrated indicator tail light and going to mount the plate up under the battery box.

What are the actual rules regarding plate visibility to the rear? Does it have to be to the rear most extremity of the vehicle?

This is not to make it less visible to the 5-0, they can't see it in my backpack at the moment, but just a move to make it more sturdy than before, along with cleaning up the rear lines a touch./

**Toaster** · 21st February 2010, 21:51

No. But rego plate does have to its edge horizontal (either direction okay - and there is case law supporting this - some custom bikes like choppers have them upright), visible and readable.

The nobs in "anti-social road user" cars that mount them on angles are in breach of the rules.

The problem with mounting them further back is that once you sit your fat butt on the bike it may tilt the plate forward too much to be easily read by a following police officer. Just keep that point in mind.

**sAsLEX** · 22nd February 2010, 05:31

Like this, though there tags are a bit smaller.

Are number plates allowed to be trimmed?

**paulmac:Me** · 22nd February 2010, 06:19

Mine kept cracking so I had a plastic one made at the sign shop, 130mm by 90mm. reflective numbers. Looks like normal only smaller !!

**2wheeldrifter** · 22nd February 2010, 11:23

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

Like this, though there tags are a bit smaller.

Are number plates allowed to be trimmed?

I would go down to VTSA and ask, I want to trim my plate etc... but was told not to other wise I may not get a wof!? plus one bike shop over in Tauranga told my mate the same... so ???? have a good ask around.

**AllanB** · 22nd February 2010, 11:44

Somewhere on KB there is a thread about a chap going to court over a number plate mounted like that. Cannot remember if he won it or not. Cop did not like it one bit.

Clearly visible is the word, not hidden under your tail or at a severe angle. Plus it must have a white light.

**pzkpfw** · 22nd February 2010, 12:26

(Side point: Modified plates and plates not made by the "proper" manufacturer are illegal. It's not a W.O.F. issue, but you can be ticketed. Note that, "getting away with it" is not a synonym for "legal".)

Originally Posted by AllanB

Plus it must have a white light.

Yep. Lot's of the "tail tidies" seem to miss this bit. (And the reflector.)

**ukusa** · 22nd February 2010, 13:33

yeah the key thing for a bike plate I spose is the illumination for night. I presume they check that at wof stage. Under the guard would not have a light unless an auxillery light is mounted.
Maybe you need some rubber washers to lessen the vibration on the plate.

On cars I still occasionally see front plates changed to a sticker & stuck onto the bonnet (saw a nice Cobra with this yesterday). Mostly on sports cars, MX5's, etc. As far as I know these are illegal also, but there seems to be plenty around like this.

**grusomhat** · 22nd February 2010, 16:21

When you are pushing the legalities just remember that you're gonna attract attention. I've seen a fair few bikes around with plates right under the tail. I saw a zx6r the other day and it was right under with the ends folded forwards a bit, looked nice but pretty dodgy.

**ching_ching** · 22nd February 2010, 20:07

Removed passenger foot pegs and modified 2 X hose clamps as brackets that bolt to the holes that are left. Then cut a piece off another hose clamp and bent to use as a u bracket that attaches to the plate itself, in the middle. A bolt passes through one bracket, through the u bracket and out the other bracket. Utilize led light bolts as the light source for plate illumination. Bolt passes through a hollow sleeve used as a spacer that I cut off a brace used on an old pair of old bmx handlebars found at the dump. Being like this for about 8 months now and kit seems pretty sturdy. The plate angle is adjustable as I use a wing nut to secure one end of the bolt. Clearance and visibility seem pretty good considering I'm a heavy prick at 120kg.

**BASS-TREBLE** · 22nd February 2010, 20:18

Cutting plates, don't.
I had the plate on the fizzer trimmed to just beside the black numbers, got a $200 ticket last week for 'rego plate not easily distinguishable'. I had 14 days compliance so got a new plate for $8.80 and showed a cop so he wiped the fine.

The cop was friendly, and explained that as soon as I cut anything on the plate I'm breaking the law, I dont know if it was just him or if all plate things have 14 days compliance.

Passed 2 warrants in the time with a trimmed plate but his comment to that was that it's not the WOF peoples issue, they're more into safety and all that.

**meowmix** · 22nd February 2010, 20:28

The law ragarding plates is that they aren't to be modified at all IIRC. The white light illumination law applies only to bikes made after some time in 2006, older and its not required (unless the legislation has changed in the last year). As for putting it under the tail, I believe the rule is that it "Must be clearly visible from the rear"?

**98tls** · 22nd February 2010, 20:29

Originally Posted by ching_ching

Removed passenger foot pegs and modified 2 X hose clamps as brackets that bolt to the holes that are left. Then cut a piece off another hose clamp and bent to use as a u bracket that attaches to the plate itself, in the middle. A bolt passes through one bracket, through the u bracket and out the other bracket. Utilize led light bolts as the light source for plate illumination. Bolt passes through a hollow sleeve used as a spacer that I cut off a brace used on an old pair of old bmx handlebars found at the dump. Being like this for about 8 months now and kit seems pretty sturdy. The plate angle is adjustable as I use a wing nut to secure one end of the bolt. Clearance and visibility seem pretty good considering I'm a heavy prick at 120kg.

Nice work that,well done.Bloody awkward to get a set up that looks good with those exhauts eh.Got a nice undertray etc on my old TLS but attaching the plate just makes it look like shite.

**ching_ching** · 22nd February 2010, 20:39

Thanks 98lts. Total cost of kit minus indicators and led bolts... 0.35c. I'm no Valentino Rossi despite having an R1 but I try not to spare the horses either and I like going for spirited romps. Some of the roads around my patch ain't the smoothest but the plate doesn't deviate from it's set angle/position despite the vibration. I also checked legality with an experienced spannerman and he couldn't give it the thumbs down. Oh yeah, and plate hasn't been trimmed.

**98tls** · 22nd February 2010, 20:40

Originally Posted by meowmix

The law ragarding plates is that they aren't to be modified at all IIRC. The white light illumination law applies only to bikes made after some time in 2006, older and its not required (unless the legislation has changed in the last year). As for putting it under the tail, I believe the rule is that it "Must be clearly visible from the rear"?

Must have changed it many years ago,i fitted an aftermarket undertray to my old S many years ago and couldnt get a WOF until i fitted one.