So my Megabusa might not be street legal...

[Hank]

Between DMV and DPS I thought my car was 100% street legal. It turns out the DPS should not have given my car an inspection. The State Police Towing & Recovery section owes me an inspection. DMV made me jump through hoops and provide a copy of the original motorcycle title for the engine/tranny combo I bought from Texas. I have been bonded for insurance, and all other paperwork is in proper order.

 

I called on Monday afternoon and left a message with the State Police Towing & Recovery section to inspect my car. I called on Tuesday and left another voicemail. It seems Trooper Greene is a busy man.

 

While waiting on Trooper Greene it was brought to my attention that my car might not pass inspection because of the lack of a proper windshield, wipers, and a wiper nozzle system. My car is equipped with an "Aeroscreen" that is just below my eyesight while sitting in the car. If my car was a 3-wheeler like a T-REX then I wouldn't need a windshield as it would be a motorcycle. Louisiana law states anything with more than 3 wheels cannot be a motorcycle. I wonder if wearing a helmet and having a topless roadster warrants the need for a windshield. If it rains on me wipers won't help.

 

Below are snippets of Louisiana law that may or may not be applicable.

 

Motor Vehicle Inspection Requirements for Passenger Vehicles Only

http://www.lsp.org/lse_form4.html

 

Here are the Louisiana statues:

Definitions:

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=88016

 

Windshields:

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=88289

 

Is an "Aeroscreen" considered a windshield? I think so.

 

Safety Glass Required:

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=88291

 

Is Lexan considered safe? I think so. No doors to speak of.

 

Safety Glass Defined:

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=88292

 

Lexan doesn't shatter. Only time I can get it to crack is by drilling a hole in it and tightening a bolt too tight through it.

 

Approved Types of Safety Glass:

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=88293

 

I hope Lexan can be approved.

 

Windshields must be equipped with wiping and washing systems:

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=88288

[BusaNostra]

Hank--->Sorry to hear this. I know the gripes, been there done that. Before I build my Westfield I researched the DMV laws and regulations. I comformed to all areas that will give me a problem during the inspection. You should have followed the sequence and put less value on dress up parts like the aeroscreen. You should have bought the Westfield windshield that is very easy to mount and to disassemble. I can assemble and disassemble my windshield in an hour. After you pass, you can put your aeroscreen.

 

I had an aeroscreen too but elected to put the windshield back. Still have kids in college, worry to get blind. Aeroscreen looks a gunfighter, I'm worried on the 22 cal on the other side.

I can wear a helmet too but look chessy to play race car driver in public.

 

Call Westfield and buy the windshield and the wiper..there is no way around. Just do it.

Edited May 14, 2009 by BusaNostra

[West7se]

I know we have differing rules over here(UK), but I too had a few issues with this very subject. The chap who was carrying out the annual check had to resort to his book of words for confermation. He would pass the car, but he had to record that it did NOT have a windscreen or washers on the pass certificate. I think this is more to do with litigation than anything else in my view, he feels he needs to record the fact , so I cant claim if I take my eye out with a stone.

 

I too have a helmet, but unless its a really good blat out somewhere I dont use it instead its just shades. I guess I should perhaps wear it more as it is for my own safety, but I do feel a bit of a prat wearing it on a public road.

 

I have the wipers assy and windscreen, though I dont have the surround anymore if they are of any use.

[Jim F.]

Does this make sense to you? According to an ex-neighbor former OR State Trooper friend of mine when I described the Aeroscreen I have, but have yet to mount on my Cat, was told that the DMV requirement is to have operable windshield wipers but not necessary to have a windshield. Sounds real practical!

[MHKflyer52]

Does this make sense to you? According to an ex-neighbor former OR State Trooper friend of mine when I described the Aeroscreen I have, but have yet to mount on my Cat, was told that the DMV requirement is to have operable windshield wipers but not necessary to have a windshield. Sounds real practical!

 

That is true in Oregon. I use to live in Newberg and though that it was funny that you had to have a workable windsheld wiper but were not required to have a windshield. I have a little windshield wiper that is for use on a Model T and is manual and clips to the top of the windshield frame.

Here is the link: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Hand-Crank-Wipers,2301.html

Funny part is I do not have a top so when it rains the backside of the windshield gets just as wet as the front due to the wind wiping the spray back into the passanger compartment. I guess I could use two of them on on the outside and one on the inside.

[gjslutz]

We wear goggles when we have the windshield off, and an helmet for rain.

[Spaz]

Hank, this is bad news, but maybe Trooper Greene will be car nut and all it will take to get a pass is a ride in the car Wishfully thinking.

 

My dream was to have an aeroscreen on my car, but last week I went on the highway and it was like the matrix: a bug came at me, closer... closer and POW that little bug make a paper plate size splat on the windshield. If I had an aeroscreen, that splat would be on my face.

Edited May 18, 2009 by Spaz

[Hank]

Yeah, but keep in mind I will be wearing a helmet in lieu of the windshield, Josh.

[Hank]

Okay, so I'm trembling in my flip flops right now. State Police Trooper Sheldon will be calling me back to come over to my HOUSE and look at the MEGABUSA. He will be bringing inspection equipment and a 3512 form to assign a VIN. Once the inspection is complete I will trailer the MEGABUSA to a local chassis fabricator to stamp the VIN in the chassis in several spots. Then I pay tax, title, and license fees.

 

I pray the aeroscreen passes. It's a roadster without a top, so windshield wipers and squirters would do absolutely nothing in a rainstorm. Is it easy to see through a helmet in a downpour on a motorcycle? I've never been on one.

 

*crosses fingers, toes, and eyes*

[slngsht]

Okay, so I'm trembling in my flip flops right now. State Police Trooper Sheldon will be calling me back to come over to my HOUSE and look at the MEGABUSA. He will be bringing inspection equipment and a 3512 form to assign a VIN. Once the inspection is complete I will trailer the MEGABUSA to a local chassis fabricator to stamp the VIN in the chassis in several spots. Then I pay tax, title, and license fees.

 

I pray the aeroscreen passes. It's a roadster without a top, so windshield wipers and squirters would do absolutely nothing in a rainstorm. Is it easy to see through a helmet in a downpour on a motorcycle? I've never been on one.

 

*crosses fingers, toes, and eyes*

Keeping our fingers crossed.

 

Have the laptop handy, and if you pass, post on this thread right in front of him

[West7se]

Is it easy to see through a helmet in a downpour on a motorcycle? I've never been on one.

 

 

Yes, as an exbiker I can say that seeing was never a problem, I did use rainex or similar product to dispell the water at low speed and a simple flick of the head left or right got rid of anything on the visor at high speed. You should be fine.

 

Rich

[supersportsp]

The windshield thing isn't always about rain. I know that many states require a windshield for protection of your head. A bug hitting you in the face at 70 mph does not feel good at all. Move that up to a decent size piece of gravel or similar road debris and you can see why they mandate them.

[Hank]

On my first drive yesterday I took note that no wind whatsoever hit my helmet from behind the windshield in its direct path. The only time I felt wind was from the side when I passed a big rig. After getting comfortable at 70mph I stuck my hand up into the airflow above the windscreen and it was indeed blowing pretty good. I can't believe how efficient that aeroscreen is for actually how it is made (molded lexan on top of fiberglass cap). And I asked the Trooper that certified my car and to his knowledge there isn't a Louisiana law against wearing a helmet in an automobile while driving. I won't be caught without my helmet on behind the wheel of my MEGABUSA because I won't take the chance of getting hurt. I shudder sometimes watching Youtube Videos of Westfields and Caterhams with the driver wearing only sunglasses.

[Chaz]

Is it easy to see through a helmet in a downpour on a motorcycle? I've never been on one.

 

To be truthful, no. I'd say it would be worse that trying to look through a full windshield with no wipers. One other thing.... you're in Louisiana, right. Although I've never spend time there myself, my understanding is that it is both hot and humid. In a rainstorm where it is both hot and humid, the inside of a visor on a helmet (full-face) would fog up badly. You can get anti-fog treatments, but I question their effectiveness. If it fails, you're in a lot of trouble.

 

Goggles would probably be a better choice.

 

Aero screens are way cool, but I'll wager that you'll end up getting a full shield with wipers before long.

[DeanG]

... In a rainstorm where it is both hot and humid, the inside of a visor on a helmet (full-face) would fog up badly. You can get anti-fog treatments, but I question their effectiveness. ...

 

Or you could try one of the helmets with the cool air feed. That would be cool in a couple of ways.