Interpretation ID: aiam3430
Ph.D
Executive Secretary
United Sidecar Association
Inc.
1621 Palomino Lane
Kingwood
Texas 77339;
Dear Dr. Kendall: This responds to you letter of May 4, 1981, requesting information o the applicability of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard to motorcycles and sidecars.; You should note that this agency's current definition of the ter 'motorcycle' (which is relevant to determination of the applicability of safety standards) includes motorcycle-sidecar combinations. The current definition, as set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 571.3, is as follows:; >>>'Motorcycle' means a motor vehicle with motive power having a sea or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.<<<; Thus, unlike the definition you cite in your letter, the curren definition does not exclude vehicles with full or partial passenger enclosures. Therefore, new motorcycle-sidecar combinations sold as a unit must comply with all safety standards applicable to motorcycles. The same standards apply to both domestically produced and imported motorcycles. The definition to which you refer was once proposed by the agency, but the agency has no plans to adopt that definition for the foreseeable future.; On the other hand, sidecars sold independently are treated as 'moto vehicle equipment' by this agency. As such, and since the sidecars will ultimately be used as part of a motorcycle, certain components of the sidecar must meet safety standards.; These components (to the extent they are in fact used) are: brak hoses, which must comply with Standard 106, pneumatic tires, which must comply with Standard 120, and glazing materials, which must comply with Standard 205.; I have enclosed an information sheet which indicates where you ma obtain copies of safety standards. This agency is not responsible for emission or noise standards, however. We have forwarded a copy of you letter to the Environmental Protection Agency so that agency can provide you information on those standards.; Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel