Saw that CVSE and the Police had a big roadside check going on, last Thursday on the sooke-a-halla. Stopping traffic in both directions. When I went through, they had about 6 bikes pulled over and 2 jeeps.....both of which had had mods done to them......larger tires, lifted, lights, etc, but at a glance looked to be very well done and were newer clean looking Jeeps. These were far from being off only, beaten buggies! It appeared that the police were pulling over bikes and wheelers, and the CVSE was stopping commercial traffic.
It *appeared* to me IMHO, that the police were stopping every bike and every modded vehicle that happened to be by. Why? Because likely someone decided it was "bike" day, or "4x4" day. I dunno.
So, even tho a front clip is road legal, as is an exo cage........do you find that these mods and other useful mods that make our rides a little more off-road capable, are a magnet to getting pulled over with a VI at the end of the shake-down......because they can? I was gravitating towards building an exo cage.......nothing too radical mind you, but may be rethinking this if becoming a target just because it's "wheeler" day becomes a common theme on the SVI.
If the mods you are planning are legal in bc, theres nothing to really worry about. Even though you may not be doing anything wrong when you go through a road block like that, they are still allowed to stop you
for the sole purpose of ensuring that you are licensed and registered/insured. And who knows, the vehicles you saw may have been speeding or violating some other traffic law. If you do get stopped or pulled
over, just remember that you may not be able to talk your way out of a ticket, but you can always talk your way into one.
Yeah, true enough. A big mouth or non-truth will get you no where..... I'm from the school that if you've wronged, get caught, then own up to it and pay the piper. However, calmly expressing a sound rationale for your actions ought to be perfectly acceptable.
I understand that any driver can be stopped for ?? at any time. I was just wondering IF you thot your ride was, or has become a magnet for checks and pull-overs because of certain mods.
When I rode a bike in my 20's........I got pulled over way more often than while driving a non-descript car. Not for an offence committed, but for license and reg checks.
Exo cages are borderline legal and will almost always get you pulled over and it's for a handful of reasons a couple being, if you use a crossbar over the hood/cowel area you've obstructed your view,(Thats a paddlin). most guys incorporate the Exo into the frame, welding to a frame is a no no (Thats a paddlin). You've also more than likely if done properly eliminated your vehicles crumple zones (Thats a paddlin)
Bikes typically get pulled over because of 2 things, no helmet, or the exhaust is too loud.
Lifted vehicles get pulled over because anyone can lift a vehicle, new or not they have the right to pull you over to make sure it is indeed safe to be on the road, which they obviously cannot tell as you drive past them...so they stop you.
I don't daily my rig, but if I did and got pulled over...it would not be a surprise, even though I've done everything to code....except mudflaps. Do I deserve a VI? Nope....but if a cop or CVSE looked at my rig and didn't know any better I would fully expect one.
Thanks for chiming in Larry. I know that you know what you're talking about as far as vehicle inspections goes.
More on exo cage thots...... has anyone been ordered to have it removed in order to get a VI "pass"?
Once you get a VI, and get an inspection with a "pass", are you exempt from getting another for a period of time?
I mean......say I get pulled over in a roadside check like in Sooke last week, with both CVSE and the police there, and I get a VI. I go get an inspection and "pass". What is to stop me from getting another in say......Cowichan the next week, anything?
I find most people that have exo-caged their vehicle have gotten past the point of no return and trailer it, you can build a removable exo-cage using sleeves which works really well. If you're not building your rig to survive a couple barrel rolls than really what's the point of spending the money.
If you don't plan on rolling your rig over there are ways to have some protection by building an "Exo" without compromising vehicle structure, leaving the front bar off from across the front windshield and not welding it to the frame and it can be claimed as a boat rack, it would just have to be removable.
As for your other question, there is nothing stopping CVSE or RCMP from ordering a VI anytime they like. If you get one today, you most certainly can be given another tomorrow, next day, next month, next year. Even if you passed one yesterday, you can get one today. It's a stupid system and should be like a OOP/MVI where the inspection is good annually or semi annually
Thanks for the info Larry.
I kinda figured that the VI ticket thing could be endless circle....... I guess I'll have to try out run the po po in my Samurai at the next road block, lol.
Exo's and barrel rolls. Yep, from my research, an internal / exo combo cage is pretty much needed to have a vehicle survive barrel rolls. Means cutting holes in the floor, welding directly to frame, etc. Not something I want to do to my DD / hunting rig. My concerns are more towards tree rubs, rock rubs, saving the glass and hopefully body in a side flop at worst. If I barrel roll her, I'll be walking home.
I was planning on using these;
https://www.tmrcustoms.com/ca/roll-cage-chassis/tube-clamps-flanges
Is welding *anything* to the frame on a DD considered a "thats a paddlin" as you put it? Including a panhard bar, shock hoops, strengthened TC mounts etc? If so......I'm already "paddlin".
I should clarify just a little bit on the welding.
It is not "illegal" to weld on the frame, but if a CVSE or RCMP see that you have welded to the frame, to them its an indication of repair, which will 100% of the time get you a VI.
Here's what the book actually says.
"Frame — The frame of a motor vehicle or a motorcycle shall not flex, be cracked, welded or have fatigue points to the extent that these defects indicate the frame has suffered structural damage and constitutes a hazard."
So to answer your question "Is welding *anything* to the frame on a DD considered a "thats a paddlin" as you put it?" No, you can weld to the frame but if it looks like a patch job or you have big boogery welds, it will catch the eye of an inspector / DOT / RCMP and potentially be taken off the road. Most vehicle frames are heat treated and welding on them changes the integrity of that hardened steel.
Also if you're just looking for tree protection, I suggest making something removable out of 1 1/4" Sched40 pipe, much lighter but offers enough protection from trees and rocks.
Sounds good. Thanks for posting that info.
Looks like I'll be making a removable "boat rack" to fend of trees and rock rubs.