Interpretation ID: aiam1590
Commander
Engineering Section
Department of California Highway Patrol
P. O. Box 898
Sacramento
CA
95804;
Dear Mr. Heath: Your letter of July 16, 1974, to Mr. Francis Armstrong of the Office o Standards Enforcement has been referred to the Office of Crash Avoidance for reply.; The responses to your 9 questions are as follows:>>> Question 1) When a sidecar is attached to a motorcycle, what referenc point constitutes the vehicle centerline for the mounting location requirements for headlamps in Standard No. 108?; Answer The vertical centerline of the motorcycle alone (not of th combination) is applicable.; Question 2) If the sidecar interferes with the visibility of the sid reflex reflectors on the motorcycle, are additional side reflectors required to be installed on the sidecar under Standard No. 108?; Answer In order to meet the visibility requirements in paragrap S4.3.1.1 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, an auxiliary reflector(s) is required.; Question 3) When a sidecar is attached to a motorcycle, is the sideca required to be equipped with a right front and rear turn signal and a stop and taillamp under Standard No. 108?; Answer Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 does not addres the requirements for motorcycle sidecars. The requirements for such add-on equipment are therefore regulated by the individual states. However, if the sidecar interferes with the visibility of these devices, paragraph S4.3.1.1 of Standard No. 108 is applicable.; Question 4) With the sidecar attached, is the wheel on the sideca required to have brakes under Standard No. 122?; Answer Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 122 does not addres the requirements for motorcycle sidecars. The requirements for such add-on equipment are therefore regulated by the individual states.; Question 5) If the wheel on the sidecar is required to have brakes should it be included as a part of the split service brake system in Standard No. 122 or should it be considered a part of an independent system?; Answer Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 122 does not addres the requirements for motorcycle sidecars. The requirements for such add-on equipment are therefore regulated by the individual states.; Question 6) With the sidecar attached, is a parking brake required a specified for three-wheeled motorcycles in Standard No. 122?; Answer Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 122 does not addres the requirements for motorcycle sidecars. The requirements for such add-on equipment are therefore regulated by the individual states.; Question 7) Is Standard No. 119 applicable to the tire and rim of sidecar?; Answer Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 119 is applicable t the tire, and FMVSS No. 120, when issued, will be applicable to the rim and installation on the vehicle.; Question 8) Is non-flexible glazing material permitted on the sideca under Standard No. 205?; Answer Yes. Paragraph S5.1.2.1 of FMVSS No. 205 allows the use o 'Rigid Plastics' in motorcycle windscreens at levels not requisite for driving visibility.; Question 9) Is glazing material designated as AS-7 or AS-13 permitte in glazed areas of a sidecar under Standard No. 205?; Answer Both AS-7 and AS-13 are permitted.<<< If safety data does become available which indicates that a potentia safety problem exists, Federal standards will be amended to include those areas not now covered.; We trust that the above will be helpful in your states enforcemen program. If we can be of further service please let us know.; Sincerely, E. T. Driver, Director, Office of Crash Avoidance, Moto Vehicle Programs;