Interpretation ID: aiam0831
8 Munchen 8
Anzinger Str. 1-3
Germany;
Gentlemen: 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 Safet Standard No. 108 are identical for a motorcycle and a motor-driven cycle (except for headlamps, see SAE J584 April 1964), because the latter is defined in Part 571 of the standards as '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 han and foot brake?; *Answer* - Yes. Paragraph S4.5.4 of FMVSS No. 108 requires the stop lamps on eac 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 o the brake-light?; *Answer* - Yes. Currently stop lamps must conform to the photometric requirement 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 turn signal lamps in SAE J575d.; 3. Are turn signals prescribed? *Answer* - Yes. Class B turn signal lamps (see SAE J575d) are required o 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).; Sincerely, E. T. Driver, Director, Office of Operating Systems, Moto Vehicle Programs;