Bike needs here an streetlegal reflector on the backside ;-)

Since the cops around here have been getting very picky during traffic stops over the last few years regarding missing reflectors on motorcycles, I had to come up with a solution. (Otherwise, you’re liable to get hit with a defect notice pretty quickly, which costs about 10–15 euros.) I happened to have a slim reflector—complete with the required certification mark—lying around; so, I bent a small aluminum bracket, fitted it into place, and stuck the whole assembly underneath the tailpiece. It’s barely noticeable that way—and now, at least, I’ve got ONE street-legal bike!


       

An ingenious solution. 

 Not really sure why you’re trying to hide the small reflector when you have a billboard-sized license plate.  Lol!

Later, Doug

...Not everyone gets to have a small license plate—like they do in the USA, for instance!
Here, the government dictates the size of the license plate (they want to be able to see where you are and who you are at all times and everywhere—even from a distance of half a mile). And the license plate currently in use is actually considered "small" compared to the ones we were required to have before 2011... you could have fed an entire Italian family with a big pizza on those things!
So, enjoy your little license plate—When I was younger, I was always jealous of your small license plates; nowadays, I couldn't give a goddamn    

Polizist: "Your reflector is upside down. 15 Euro ticket." 

Sharp eyes, Nerdy,

Nice and neat Joe, almost made for that position 
Rich.

MFP-Joe wrote:

...Not everyone gets to have a small license plate—like they do in the USA, for instance!
Here, the government dictates the size of the license plate (they want to be able to see where you are and who you are at all times and everywhere—even from a distance of half a mile). And the license plate currently in use is actually considered "small" compared to the ones we were required to have before 2011... you could have fed an entire Italian family with a big pizza on those things!
So, enjoy your little license plate—When I was younger, I was always jealous of your small license plates; nowadays, I couldn't give a goddamn    

I used to run a 6" x 4" on my Harris but had a legal one under the seat I could swop over if stopped (back then traffic cops were human, these days you'd get the  ticket anyway) 

Very tidy mod.  Well done!

We have questions...:
   Very curious what country, what bike and, if that's an OEM lens?   U.S. - spec. OEM Z1 taillight lenses have a reflector cast into the upper 1/3 or so of their face.  Maybe it was a DOT thing back then, but we don't see a DOT mark on any of our Z1 taillight lenses, only an SAE #.    Is there no tolerance for OEM vintage equipment that doesn't meet modern street-legal requirements?

   EDIT: on a (much) closer look, there appears to be a very small crescent of reflective area at the top of the lens, easily missed.  Either that, or it's a reflection (no pun) of the new mod?

"... the required certification mark ..."  Really trying to wrap our heads around that Big Brother-ish requirement.  Guess they would reject the reflectors that have a threaded male machine screw on the rear that can be used as license plate mounting hardware?

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

slmjim+Z1BEBE wrote:

Very tidy mod.  Well done!

Very curious what country, what bike and, if that's an OEM lens?   U.S. - spec. OEM Z1 taillight lenses have a reflector cast into the upper 1/3 or so of their face.  Maybe it was a DOT thing back then, but we don't see a DOT mark on any of our Z1 taillight lenses, only an SAE #.

"... the required certification mark ..."  Really trying to wrap our heads around that Big Brother-ish requirement.  Guess they would reject the reflectors that have a threaded male machine screw on the rear that can be used as license plate mounting hardware?

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Joe is in Germany Jim, their TUV approval is one of the strictest out there (I guess it makes some sense with no speed limits on the autobahn) everything has to be approved and mods are detailed on the certificate (test every two years I believe) Maybe you remember Calum's resto-mod build where he had to take the frame to have the welding certified and also had to decide whether or not to fit his fairing before testing as once inspected he couldn't remove it or fit it if inspected without !!!!!!!

Hi Jim,
Guy has already described it perfectly: The registration and operating regulations here are more than strict, and they are rigorously enforced. Every two years, we have to take all our vehicles in for a major roadworthiness inspection. As for your questions about the bike: it’s a ’77 Z1000, which has a taillight lens *without* a reflector. My other bike—a ’78 Z1000—has a US-spec taillight lens *with* the integrated reflector (though *that* isn't permitted—or rather, isn't recognized—here in Germany, making it technically illegal... but I didn't give a shit about that ).

What about front and rear side reflectors Joe?
Are they required in Germany?

I see some Markets don't have the yellow front side reflectors, and red rear side reflectors.
Here in Canada, we do have the side reflectors
We only need to get our motorcycles Certified once, when bought used, and not yearly/Bi-yearly.

My KZ1000's tail light did not come with side reflectors.
When buying a new one, as the lens was faded and worn, the new lens had reflectors on the sides.

I like to be seen, so often add reflectors.
I've got black tape, that reflects white, on the lower forks of my KZ650 and ZRX.