Registry Procedures Manual - D.164

Appendix D. Safety & Emissions Inspection 540 CMR 4.00
4.06: continued
b. Headlamps. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two
white headlamps whose beam shall be checked in accordance with the specifications
provided by the Registrar. The motorcycle headlamp shall be mounted on the front of
the motorcycle on the vertical centerline, except that if two headlamps are used, they
shall be symmetrically distant from the vertical centerline and equal in height. The height
of the headlamps measured from the road surface to the center of the lamp shall be not
less than 22 inches nor more than 54 inches. Headlamps on motorcycles manufactured
in 1986 or later shall throw sufficient light ahead to make clearly visible all vehicles,
persons or substantial objects upon the roadway within a distance of 350 feet on a
straight highway of uniform grade under normal atmospheric conditions. Headlamps on
motorcycles manufactured before 1986 shall throw sufficient light ahead to make clearly
visible all vehicles, persons or substantial objects upon the roadway within a distance of
115 feet under the same conditions.
c. Tail Lamps and Stop Lamps. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one red
tail light and at least one red stop lamp. The motorcycle tail lamp and stop lamp shall
be mounted on the rear of the motorcycle on the vertical centerline, except that if two
are used, they shall be symmetrically distant from the vertical centerline and of equal
height. The height of the tail lamps and stop lamps measured from the road surface to
the center of the lamp shall be not less than 15 inches nor more than 72 inches. Stop
lamps shall be activated with the application of front or rear brakes. Tail lamps shall be
activated when the headlamps are activated. Tail lamps and stop lamps shall be visible
under normal night time conditions at a distance of 500 feet and stop lamps shall be
visible in normal sunlight at a distance of 200 feet.
d. Plate Light. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with a white light so arranged as to
illuminate the rear number plate so that it is plainly visible at a distance of 60 feet. Such
light shall not emit a tailing glare.
e. Reflectors. Each motorcycle shall have at least one rear red reflector mounted on the
vertical center line except that, if two are used, they shall be symmetrically distant from
the vertical center line and of equal height. The reflector height above the road surface
measured to the center of the reflector shall not be less than 15 inches, nor more
than 60 inches. Note: reflector(s) may be combined with other rear lamps. Motorcycles
manufactured on or after January 1, 1968 shall be equipped with two red side reflectors
mounted on each side at or near the rear of the motorcycle and shall be equipped with
two amber side reflectors mounted on each side at or near the front of the motorcycle.
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