Interpretation ID: nht72-2.28

DATE: 09/08/72

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; E. T. Driver; NHTSA

TO: Zundapp-Werke GMBH Munchen

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Your letter of August 8 and your follow-up letter of August 22 to Mr. Francis Armstrong, Director, Office of Standards Enforcement, concerning the lighting requirements for motor-driven cycles, were forwarded to this Office for consideration and reply.

The lighting requirements specified in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 are identical for a motorcycle and a motor-driven cycle (except for headbumper see SAE J584 April 1964), because the letter is defined in Part 571 of the standard (Illegible Word) "a motorcycle with a motor that produces 5-brake horsepower or less."

In addition, the answers to your specific questions follow --

1. Must the stop-light of a motor-driven cycle be operated by hand and foot brake?

Answer -

Yes. Paragraph S4.5.4 of FMVSS No. 103 requires the stop lamps on each vehicle to be activated upon application of the service brakes, and since both the hand and foot brakes are service brakes, the application of either must activate the stop lamps.

2. Does there exist any regulations concerning the light intensity of the brake-light?

Answer -

Yes. Currently stop lamps must conform in the photometric requirements specified in SAE Standard J575d. Paragraph S4.1.1.6 of FMVSS No. 108 also requires that vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, be equipped with stop lamps meeting the candlepower requirements for Class A from signal lamps in SAE J575d.

3. Are turn signal prescribed?

Answer -

Yes. Class B turn signal lamps (see SAE J575d) are required as motorcycles manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, and should be mounted as specified in Table IV of FMVSS No. 108 (copy enclosed for your information).

NOT CONTROLLED