California Road Legal Motorized Bike

Hello everyone! This is my 66cc bike Jasper. She's a motorized bike that I've built over a couple months. She is 100% fully road legal in California. Top speed is about 35mph, with gas mileage at about 100-110mpg. I ride her around town on my days off. She's a complete blast to ride around.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. May you have a beautiful day!

[@hasancan1643]

great build, your hardwork is showing

[@RobbieDarmody-nh1vo]

Great build, awesome video. Thanks for sharing. Dynamo trick has given me good ideas.

[@phoenixarizona8441]

New version of the OG Harley Davidson

[@xomambearr]

Dang wish I had a cool motorized bike like this one.

[@Jarrod_D]

Cool bike, you did go all out 👍 I once had a cop talk to me about one of my bikes, all he wanted to know was "why is the motor so small." Hahaha

[@juniorargueta8772]

she look so sweet to drive

[@XavierGalatis]

super nice bike bro

[@AmusedDaffodils-mz5rw]

Can u register one of these bikes with a suspended license

[@DogsaladSalad]

the dynamo is a cool hack. heres how i fixed the rubbing on tire issue. order a 27mm rubber wheel for sewing machines, for bobbin winding! throw that on the dynamo head. you may want to add a washer on the end of the dynamo to keep the wheel from sliding off. in my case, a quarter with a hole drilled into it was a perfect size.

[@CuddlyJon]

Awh man, if only I had thought about that! Great idea!

[@grantfu5506]

Would you happen to have a link to the dynamo you used? The aluminum ones I buy keep breaking either internally or the entire mechanism just falls off.

[@RyanPhung725]

nice video! did you go to the dmv directly or just mail it in? or submit somewhere electronically?

[@CuddlyJon]

I mailed the form in. The form has to be filed with a certain division and so it goes to a specific office. If you take it into the DMV directly, they may just refer you to mail it in.

[@RyanPhung725]

@@CuddlyJon Thanks for the reply! i see a lot of gas bikes but not a lot of moped license plates i wonder why. Awesome bike!

[@RyanPhung725]

@@CuddlyJon oh also, in the form, did you put anything where it says "California License Plate". may i ask what you put for make and model?

[@CuddlyJon]

@@RyanPhung725 Leave the license plate field blank. The office will fill out that portion. For make, I put my bike's brand "Hyper." For model, I put the bike's class "Cruiser". You can also put "MOPED" or "MP" for the model.

[@RaoulDuke224]

Can I buy this from you?!

[@winklton]

Have you thought about using rubber O rings on the dynamo ?

[@CuddlyJon]

That sounds like a good idea actually. I'll give that a try!

[@winklton]

@@CuddlyJon Be interesting to see if it works 👍🏻

[@CuddlyJon]

@@winklton without putting em on, i feel like they might fly off but it is worth a shot

[@winklton]

@@CuddlyJon You could glue them on

[@brian3136]

Hello, how did you wire in the brake light? How did you make it work. I want to do this exact setup with the portable charger powering the: brake light/ headlight/ turn signals. Thank you.

[@CuddlyJon]

How's it going, Brian? It's quite the set up for sure, one that can be heavily improved upon. But essentially, I had to fabricate a wiring harness using the one that came with the moped style control cluster. In essence, I soldered wires together going to their appropriate controls. In order to use the power bank, I cut a usb wire in half and soldered it to the power wire of the control cluster. The headlight is fabricated as well. I dissasembled an LED bulb, took out the led lights and affixed it in a headlight housing. Same thing for the brake light I really wish a company made a light system for bikes, but a lot of this was pretty much all fabricated If you'd like, I could make a whole other video on it.

[@brian3136]

@@CuddlyJon thanks for the input. And yes a detailed video would help a lot of people that arent familiar with wiring. Like myself.

[@CuddlyJon]

@@brian3136 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3bRmGpmipalepY&ab_channel=CuddlyJon

[@brian3136]

@@CuddlyJon thank you for the video, thats a good Idea with the led strips!

[@Harcoredneck234]

How were you able to do so? I would like to make mine legal but have no documentation for the statement of origin for my frame or the engine and no vin#

[@CuddlyJon]

These vehicles are classified as "mopeds" under CA law. In order to do so, you need AT LEAST your serial number for your bicycle frame. If you do not have one, you must stamp one onto your frame. The serial number acts as your VIN#. As for engine, a couple of motor kits list their ID# in the package or on the website that you bought it from. If not, the letter "E" followed by your serial number is sufficient enough to act as it's identification. Recommend that you look over my reply to some of the comments on this video for further info :) I have successfully ridden in traffic in my town for at least 2,000 miles and have never once been stopped by a police officer. Don't think any of them know what to stop me for haha. As long as I follow all traffic laws.

[@Harcoredneck234]

@@CuddlyJon being that i live in maryland would CA allow me to do this?

[@CuddlyJon]

@@Harcoredneck234 Now that's quite the pickle. I don't believe so. In order to register one, the 230 CA form must be filed and I believe it asks for a residence address and ID # for identification. If you have an address in CA then possibly but I would try working with Maryland's laws first. Gets a little dicey going across jurisdictions (not that most law enforcement care anyway haha).

[@Harcoredneck234]

@@CuddlyJon tried and without manufacturer certificate of origin for the frame and engine its nearly impossible

[@CuddlyJon]

@@Harcoredneck234 Dang man, I guess you just might be stuck. I don't know how up tight law enforcement is in your area but you could try just riding your bike around.

[@johnnyc9476]

Can you tell me the law about these in calif, cause ive seen 2 different statements. Also how much is it to reg? And any special requirements ? Im in northern ca and just built my first bike but was concerned with this law, your bike loojs great ive yet to start mine, irdered the offset for carb so next week ill be ready.

[@CuddlyJon]

Sure thing. There are 4 major qualifications that regulate these vehicles as "mopeds" in the state of CA. They as follows: 1. Has 2 or 3 wheels 2. Has pedals 3. Does not exceed more than 30mph or 4 brake horsepower 4. Is only a single speed In order to operate these vehicles on public roads, one must file a form 230 with DMV along with a ONE TIME registration fee of $24 (this fee amount changes every year or so). The DMV will mail you a special license plate and a identification/registration card. Insurance is NOT required. You must possess at least a M2 license (moped license) (I have an M1 [motorcycle] license so I can drive any 2 wheeled vehicle). Additionaly, when operating the vehicle, you must wear a DOT approved helmet. These things are subject to all laws applicable to mopeds including that you must have turn signals (hand signals are ok), and if you are riding at night: front headlight, taillight and brake lights.

[@qweef69]

"4. Is only single speed." Let's be honest. Thats not what the vehicle code states. It's indicative to point out the facts, and the reality of the legal definitions in section 406. As it stands today the precursor to categorize a moped includes an "automatic transmission" I'd like to argue that all these bikes are equipped with manually powered direct drive engagement mechanisms to propel the bike. There's nothing automatic about it.

[@grantfu5506]

I have one registered where I used the bike frame serial number as a vin on the reg 230 and I got the license plate. I did have a guy tell me that I need to register it as a SPCNS (Specially Constructed vehicle). I'm a bit confused since the DMV accepted the application with the frame serial number. Have any thoughts about that?

[@CuddlyJon]

Guy's probably wrong. CA specifically outlines these vehicles in law and historically, CA has had a whole motorized bicycle culture (Los Angeles being the hugest city for it). As long as your vehicle meets the specs, then it is a moped: 1. Has pedals (if electric motor, NO pedals is OK) 2. Top speed of 30mph on a flat road 3. No more than 4 gross horsepower motor 4. 2 or 3 wheels. Make sure to mail in your form. Representatives at the DMV tend to get this particular vehicle wrong (times change and new people in the DMV tend to not know what exactly the laws for it are). I was once told to register mine as a motorcycle, and that I needed a certificate of origin. Made no sense since I made the thing :)

[@grantfu5506]

@@CuddlyJon I see, thanks. By the way, did you need to get insurance? I've seen wording on the DMv that says we don't need insurance to "register" a motorized bicicyle. I'm not sure if that equates to no insurance when riding.

[@CuddlyJon]

@@grantfu5506 No insurance necessary. :)

[@zachedelic]

hello! i recently bought one of these and i want to get it registered here in california, but these engines don't have any identification number on them. Did you stamp your own? or do you not need it?

[@CuddlyJon]

If that's the case, for where it asks engine serial number on the 230 form, place a letter "E" and the serial number for the bicycle. The bicycle should most certainly have a serial number. If it doesn't you will have to stamp one of your own. "E########" There is an identification number for some motors, generally it's on the manual that comes with them or the supplier of the motor lists it on their website.

[@zachedelic]

@@CuddlyJon thank you man!! one more question, do you know if i can register one of these with a normal drivers license, no m1 endorsement? the bike is awesome by the way!

[@CuddlyJon]

@@zachedelic You don't need a moped/motorcycle endorsement to register it. But you do need at least a M2 (moped) license to operate it on public roads legally.

[@caliuso714]

Is a M1 license needed or can you ride it with a usual class C license? Nice build buy the way

[@CuddlyJon]

My apologies for the late reply Caliuso. In California, atleast a M2(moped) license is needed. Though in my experience, law enforcement hardly knows what to stop you for. In my area, I have noticed a fair amount of increase in motorized bikes though, so that may change.

[@caliuso714]

@@CuddlyJon I greatly appreciate the information my brutha… your video is a prime example of what I was looking to build, I’m glad I found it. Keep up the good work!

[@CuddlyJon]

@@caliuso714 Very happy I was able to contribute! It's exactly why I posted this video. I want to see more builds out there and give people ideas.

[@GameExplorersX]

Do you know if a class c will work for motorized tricycle? I see it says you can drive a trike with class c but does it still count if it's a tricycle?

[@CuddlyJon]

@@GameExplorersX That is quite the question. 🤔 You may have found a loophole lol I don't think the law quite addresses it actually haha But I think your guess would be the best one. Class C does cover trikes in California and I think a motorized tricycle would default to a trike regardless. I would look into whether it has to be registered though. Might have to call the DMV for clarification.

[@leonardarola]

How much was it? 22 or 25? Btw, mirrors gotta be above handlebars as per CA dmv. Looking good.

[@teddysurf]

Hi, first thanks for the video, if you don’t mind me asking, how did you register your motorized bicycle with out of Vin number?

[@CuddlyJon]

There is a special form (form 240) specifically for registering motorized bicycles with the bicycle serial number and engine serial number. You can look down in the comments below to find my comment about registering one :)

[@teddysurf]

@@CuddlyJon first, thank you for responding, I do appreciate it. Second, apologies I didn’t really realize you were getting inundated with people wanting to know the process. I read down the comment thread and got the information I was seeking, so thank you for pointing me in the right direction. Just a thought and I not asking you to do this because I think I understand what the process is now but if you’re looking for video ideas, maybe do a video on how to register a motorized bicycle. Just a thought. Anyway, thanks again. Update:…ummmm… I’m so sorry I did have one more question and if you’re just totally sick of talking about this feel free to not respond. The question is, are there turn signal light requirements on the motorized bicycle? I’m trying to register a stealth bomber clone, and as I have turn signals, I think federal law mandates that they’re at least 9 inches apart which mine are not. My question is was the turn signals an issue when you registered your bike or did they not even ask? Also, is there a visual inspection of the bike? Again thank you for the information you’ve already given me.

[@CuddlyJon]

@@teddysurf Hiya Teddy. No problem with the questions :) Registering a motorized bicycle was an interesting process and I like talking about it. I just don't like looking for the information on how to do it again haha. I think I copied and pasted my thread a couple of times between 3 videos on my bicycle. As I understand, motorized bicycles are governed on a state by state clause, and even further, by local ordinances in your area. When it comes to signal lights/headlight and brake lights, my local laws do NOT specify a particular clause related to "motorized bicycle." Remember that these motorized bikes may not necessarily be federally recognized (as they shouldn't be) but they can still be state recognized. Some states don't even require any registration at all. I did NOT have to undergo an inspection. It was literally just send in some paperwork with a $25 fee (may have changed now) and I got my plate and identification card in a couple months :) I have asked local law enforcement and friends of mine who work as law enforcement and for my area in particular, I was referred to safety regulations that predate back to the 20s. In the event that a vehicle does not come standard with turn signals, headlight or taillights, hand signals are sufficient. HOWEVER, this does mean that night riding is a no go. Hand signals are not sufficient for when there is a decreased visibility. It's also just a bad idea to ride at night without lights haha. I have never been stopped on my motorized bicycle in the 1,000 miles I put on Jasper. To be honest, a lot of police officers didn't know what exactly to stop me for, some even just admired my bicycle for what it is. But I made sure to follow what the safety regulations are for my area, same thing for bicycle lanes (each local area has their own city ordinances for if motorized bicycles can be used on bicycle lanes). For California, given the tremendous amount of grey area and deferment to local laws, it's difficult to provide accurate information. I think you will be fine with your stealth bomber, so long as you do not exceed speeds and ride safely/do not draw attention of law enforcement. Hand signals must be used if insufficient turn signals are not present. Also make sure to have pedals haha.

[@teddysurf]

@@CuddlyJon yeah I know what you mean about a ton of gray areas lol. I made a potato gun and called the local police station to see if it was legal if me and some friends went and shot it and no one had any idea. Years later I wanted to go shooting but only had a bicycle as it was the pandemic and I registered my car as a parked vehicle because I didn’t wanna pay the registration while I wasn’t using it. I called my local sheriff station(I live in West Hollywood) and asked if I had a handgun in a hard locked container, Is it legal to carry it in my backpack on a bicycle to get to the shooting range. The cop I talk to you tried to play it off, but had no idea in the end… I’ve been riding with technically an illegal Stealth bomber clone electric bike (as it goes 50 mph) for about three years now, and have never been stopped. Now that could change if I start riding in the street which I want to do because I think it’s safer. In Los Angeles the bike lane is pretty hazardous as people are constantly pulling in to park, put on their hazards and run into a store, valets use it as a staging area and you’re constantly having to transition from into traffic and then back into the bike lane with cars whizzing by you. Anyway again, thank you so much for the information. I really do appreciate it.

[@CuddlyJon]

@@teddysurf Ahhh, that definitely clarifies quite a lot. Do note that electric bikes are a very different especially because they actually are defined by California law and are classified under 3 levels. They actually don't require registration if you abide by the 28mph speed limit for class 3 bikes. However, anything beyond that speed must be registered as a "motor-driven cycle" which then shares far more stipulations than just a moped. (Basically like registering a motorcycle) As far as riding in traffic, I think California law actually allows you to. I know stealth bombers look more like motorcycles so you might get more attention, especially if you are going beyond 35. There's a couple of videos on youtube of people getting pulled over on their stealth bomber clones, even here in CA. Regardless, I think you would be fine to ride in the road way as long as you aren't impeding traffic. I actually switched over to riding a super 73 clone that goes about 30mph :) Doesn't require any registration. Always thought it was silly that as soon as gas is introduced, things are different. But, hey, that's California, haha.