Is a homemade minibike illegal?

Question

hi! i live in a small rural town(we only have three cops a zellars and a couple of conveneance stores) and some simple paved roads. i took a rototiler engine and welded a frame from tube steel and put a chain to a wheel barol wheel. its a small quite bike that gets me around. im 16 no license. is it realy illegal for me to ride it around if its only in the day with a D.O.T helmet nice and slow? if it is what are the chances of getting caught and whats the consiquence? i ride my 82 atc 200 around alot and havnt had much trouble. its a fun little minibike me and my friend built. i ride it around somtimes but i dont have any mony and can barly aford to put gas in it. would i go to jail or be fined thousands of dollairs? im in the country and love driving. please answer honestly.

Answer 1

For driving on the roads?  Probably totally illegal!

It would have to be inspectable as a motorcycle for you to be able to legally ride it on the road.  From the sounds of things ... this machine would not make it!

Even with the helmet (good ... at least you are wearing one!), there could be some serious consequences to getting caught.  Driving an uninspected, uninsured, unregistered vehicle with no license.  Driving a vehicle that does not have the required lights (headlight, taillight, turn signals, etc).  

While you probably would not go to jail, the fines for these offenses will take a big bite out of your finances.  Conviction of some of these offenses can result in suspension of your driving privileges for a while (yes, your license can be suspended before you get it!).

You might catch a break living in a small town ... you know the police in your town ... they could just warn you ... or ticket you.  It would be up to them.  

If it were me ... I'd keep the minibike off the road to avoid any chance at problems (the ATV too, just as illegal!).  While the fines probably would not be thousands of dollars, it's more of a hassle than you want to deal with!

Answer 2

Anything we do os illegal nowadays. The Consitution doesn't work anymore

Answer 3

im sure its not legal. they can fine you and  possibly take the  your home made mini bike. if its not licensed you probably dont have insurance on it in case of property damage...you could hit someone as well as someone could hit you.

There are reasons why licensed vehicle only are supposed to be on the roads.  check with your municipality, but im sure what you are doing is not legal

Answer 4

Unless you can license the vehicle, it is technically not street legal in MOST states.  If you can, you are required to have a license to operate it on public streets.

That said, ask the three officers.  If they don't care, you won't have any problems.

Answer 5

In order to ride it on the roads, it needs to be registered. Before it can be registered, it has to meet federal safety standards. By your description, it will not meet those standards.

If you get caught, you could be fined... I doubt it will add up to thousands. A few hundred is quite possible.