07 Dyna Superglide Sidemount License Plate Do It Yourself for Free (super easy)

[evesweater]

Well,
I've been toying with which side-mount to buy for my bike. Too much to choose from, too expensive, and not enough info about my bike in particular. I got inspired by a guy who was similarly situated. I took his idea and went a different (and better in my opinion) direction.

Here's a step-by-step of how I refit my original fender mounted plate on my 2007 Superglide to be a side-mounted license plate. It took about 30-45 minutes (probably shoter if I wasn't in the process of figuring it out), I used an allen wrench, a ratchet, and a screw driver. I didn't have to buy a thing, and I didn't have to disfigure any of the original brackets, meaning this is totally reverse-able. I hope someone finds this helpful. There's nothing like getting exactly what you want for free.

Click Here

[pplassm]

Interesting solution!

As a side note, I do not understand why people obscure their license plates when posting pictures on the internet. After all, you ride around with it in plain view, right?

[longride]

Just to clarify here that mounting a plate that way is illegal in many states, and will result in a ticket if the officer so chooses. I tend to avoid things that scream 'Pull me over!', so that my social engagements with police officers is at a minumum.

[evesweater]

This is a good point. I did note this at the end of the step-by-step in the link, but I did not mention it in the OP.

Here's what I gleaned from the Texas Transportation Code:
[Source: Texas Statutes Transportation Code at Transportation Code on 1.10.09]

Sec. 502.180. ISSUANCE OF LICENSE PLATE OR REGISTRATION INSIGNIA.
(h) The registration insignia for validation of a license plate shall be attached to the rear license plate of the vehicle, if the vehicle is:

(1) a motorcycle;

[and]

Sec. 502.409. WRONG, FICTITIOUS, ALTERED, OR OBSCURED LICENSE PLATE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person attaches to or displays on a motor vehicle a number plate or registration insignia that:

(1) is assigned to a different motor vehicle;

(2) is assigned to the vehicle under any other motor vehicle law other than by the department;

(3) is assigned for a registration period other than the registration period in effect;

(4) is fictitious;

(5) has blurring or reflective matter that significantly impairs the readability of the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered or the letters or numbers of the license plate number at any time;

(6) has an attached illuminated device or sticker, decal, emblem, or other insignia that is not authorized by law and that interferes with the readability of the letters or numbers of the license plate number or the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered; or

(7) has a coating, covering, protective material, or other apparatus that:

(A) distorts angular visibility or detectability;

(B) alters or obscures one-half or more of the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered; or

(C) alters or obscures the letters or numbers of the license plate number or the color of the plate.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (f), an offense under Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $200, unless it is shown at the trial of the offense that the owner knowingly altered or made illegible the letters, numbers, and other identification marks, in which case the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.

(c) to (e) Repealed by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.66, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.



Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 30, Sec. 1



(c) Subsection (a)(7) may not be construed to apply to:

(1) a trailer hitch installed on a vehicle in a normal or customary manner;

(2) a transponder, as defined by Section 228.057, that is attached to a vehicle in the manner required by the issuing authority;

(3) a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier that is attached to a vehicle in a normal or customary manner;

(4) a trailer being towed by a vehicle; or

(5) a bicycle rack that is attached to a vehicle in a normal or customary manner.



Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1027, Sec. 3



(c) A court may dismiss a charge brought under Subsection (a)(3), (5), (6), or (7) if the defendant:

(1) remedies the defect before the defendant's first court appearance; and

(2) pays an administrative fee not to exceed $10.

(f) An offense under Subsection (a)(4) is a Class B misdemeanor.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.66, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 851, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1189, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 837, Sec. 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 30, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1027, Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2007.

Anyone find anything else which might apply for Texas? Thanks for the suggestion on posting the statutes.
-Evesweater

Originally Posted by longride

Just to clarify here that mounting a plate that way is illegal in many states, and will result in a ticket if the officer so chooses. I tend to avoid things that scream 'Pull me over!', so that my social engagements with police officers is at a minumum.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Great post. Love the how-to stuff. Great bike too, I like Dynas!

Here's another legal question: why is everybody so alarmed about posting their license plate number on the internet? It's right there on the damn street. Not to mention your VIN # is right on the bike if somebody wanted it. BFD, it's not your SSN...

[longride]

"why is everybody so alarmed about posting their license plate number on the internet?"

Because with very little work, you can find out exactly which garage that bike you like so much hangs out in. From there, it wouldn't be long until a decent thief would have it in his posession very quickly. I would never let anyone follow me to my house to see where my bike resides for that very reason. I can see you grew up in the right neighborhood Ken.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Originally Posted by longride

"why is everybody so alarmed about posting their license plate number on the internet?"

Because with very little work, you can find out exactly which garage that bike you like so much hangs out in. From there, it wouldn't be long until a decent thief would have it in his posession very quickly. I would never let anyone follow me to my house to see where my bike resides for that very reason. I can see you grew up in the right neighborhood Ken.

Yeah, but if I wanted to rip off your bike couldn't I just go to the local Bike Night and write it down? Or follow you home? I do tend to overlook the nefarious evil in the hearts of men...

[longride]

You could do any of those things, but if I never go to the local bike night, it would be pretty tough write down my plate number, don't you think? Like I said, I don't let anyone follow me home. A once around the block will easily foil that. Putting your LP# on the Internet just makes it easier, so if one is smart, they don't do it. YOu over look the evil, but if your bike was stolen more than once, which happened to people I knew, you do your best to take precautions.

[pplassm]

Please tell me how I, without inside friends in the police department or DMV, can get personal information using a license plate number.

Every time I've tried to get information like that I was denied.

[sarnali2]

I would never follow someone home, just part of the way from different starting points over a week or two. Takes a little effort but it takes a sharp eye to shake someone whose determined to find out where you live. Most people get complacent the closer to home they get taking the same route each time, once you nail down the neighborhood it's as simple as looking for the car in the driveway.

They teach that in the basic Union Dues Collection Class....