Illegal Modifications

[Lao Jia Hou]

Agreed - great topic.

Things are tight in Beijing, at least at the large inspection station by the East 5th ring road (and G1) where most motorcycle registration and inspections are done.

One of my bikes is a single-seater and its registration shows only 1 person. I asked the counter police about how I get the registration changed if I mount the pillion seat and pegs (optional accessories from the dealer). Was told that it is impossible - the bike is a one-seat motorcycle. I then asked the dealer, who confirmed that the registration cannot be changed. The dealer said that if I had purchased the optional pillion seat/pegs with the new bike, prior to initial registration, the bike would have been registered as a 2 passenger bike.

The counter police said that it is possible to change the color. I am not sure if you need prior approval, or if it is ok to just show up at the inspection yard with the bike in its new color.

As for the pictures, that has become quite strict in Beijing. So strict that when a picture is taken during an inspection/transfer, it must perfectly match the original. The matching is done online, by some unknown mystery-person in another building, who will not authorize the final "pass" / "transfer" (online) unless he/she believes it is identical. Amazingly, at the inspection station entrance, there is an assembly of loaner tools to put your bike back to its original condition (remove windscreen, bags, hand guards, etc). At the exit, there is another group of loaner tools to put your parts back on (remount windscreen, bags, hand guards, etc). It is almost comical to watch. TIC.

I use an agent for almost all of my legal plating, transfers, etc. The guy only does motorcycles, five days a week, fifty weeks a year. He tells me that he is frequently frustrated by a non-matching picture. When he did my JH's inspection last year, we had to remove the pannier's mounting frame (aftermarket) and hand guards. Fortunately, the aftermarket exhaust was on the side of the bike that is not in the registration picture.

I think most of the illegal modifications are ignored by the police, until that time when you need your bike to be legal (e.g., after an accident).

I'm guessing that an original dealer might be able to work something out with a necessary engine swap.

[Lain]

I guess if ya keep it limited to mostly bolt on mods, its not to much of an issue. I see pimped scooters here all the time. However I never thought about changing the color as a big deal and was hoping to get a plain vanilla bike without stickers so I could do a custom paint job. I will report my findings after I talk to the local service shop where I know the laoban has some connections and I am sure will offer some sound advice on how to get it done legally. Its the biggest shop in town, and he fixes police bikes so I am sure he has the skinny.

[ChinaV]

I am sure he has the skinny.

Or at least an opinion. :loll:

It's pretty simple, all modifications to a vehicle are illegal. I've registered and renewed registrations many times with plenty of guanxi at the registry and inspection station. I've spent way too many hours putting bikes back to stock. Everything from stickers, hand guards, reflectors, emissions parts, etc. etc. must be exactly as presented by the factory. I have even brought brand new factory modded bikes to the registry and been turned away because some minor detail does not match the specs in the registry database. Engine replacements are fine as long as it's the same model engine and the factory stamps the same engine number.

Throw a set of saddlebags on a motorcycle and have an accident, I don't think you're going to have a problem. Put a liquid cooled 250 engine with a loud exhaust pipe on a farmer joe 125cc bike and have an accident, you might have some problems.

Cheers!
ChinaV

[bikerdoc]

Lain, you will not get 100% correct factual objective information from the Laoban... as ChinaV suggests, you will get a subjective one that might work at best, or worse provide incorrect information as 100% kosha only to be lead up the garden path with the potential drastic and undesirable consequences. The Laoban may think that it will not be a big deal and perhaps mistakenly believe that as a foreigner the rules will be bent and not really apply to you - an often misguided and dangerous common false belief all too prevalent in China.

[Lain]

My update will have to wait until after the CNY, as they are already closed for the holiday. I have doubts that the info I will get might be partially incorrect, but as mentioned it's the only shop in town where I see police bikes being repaired and the shop is nice, CLEAN and appears to be one of the few places I can think of where I could ask such a question, and get a reasonably straight reply.

I will make it clear that I want to know what the law says, and not as it may pertain to me as a foreigner.

[snakeeater]

Any update?

Planning the initial registration of a new bike and wonder wether I should install custom decals and handguards before the first registration, so everything is already how I want to have it on the first picture taken.

I am living in a small town and doubt an enduro has been registred here before.

Btw I is it possible to have supermoto AND offroad tyres (different diameter) registred with the same bike?

[bikerdoc]

^absolutely get the bike how you want it set up with items that are clearly distinguishable and discernible at the time of the registration as that is how the vehicle must look at the time of re-inspection etc. So if you are planning on cases, top box, bigger items that will likely standout then fit them first then do the reg. Far easier than having to remove everything later. It isn't always a problem but it can be, as is usual TIC and guanxi can and does come into play. You can be seen by two different cops and one, or other, or both, or none, or the same, or the other... cop can take issue with something that looks different... take your pick.

[MotoKai]

The answer is simple. It depends on the weather.

By that I mean there's the law, then there's what's enforced - and this changes from region to region and from day to day. In Shanghai there was a fast-growing car modification scene about 2 years ago with many shops opened up to add kits to sports cars (both cosmetic and performance). Then there was a serious accident covered in the media and overnight these shops closed down. Now seems the car modifications are again on the rise, especially "flat paintjobs" - flatblack, flatpurple, flatbabyblue, flatpink....I'm so sick of flat (but do still think the JH600 would look good flatted out).

This past Summer, both Euphonius and I were both a bit concerned about our after-market exhausts, pannier racks, hand guards, etc. when it came time for inspection (I also have HIDs installed). We separately went for inspections (probably different inspectors) and both came out with clean renewals for another 2-years. So there you go. Depends on the weather.

* Edit: Forgot to mention my carbon fiber-taped handlebar ends!

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[MotoKai]

And please be mindful of Section 3.....

Article 16 No units or individual shall do the following:



　　(1) assembling motor vehicles or altering the registered composition, structure or features of motor vehicles without authorization;

　　(2) changing the models of motor vehicles, their engine number, chassis number or the identification code of the vehicles;

　 (3) changing the structure or features of apparel articles including riding fashion and clothing.

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[Lao Jia Hou]

"Smart" paint job ...

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