Can any motorcycle be made street legal?
 

I'm about to buy a 1982 Honda XR80....wondering if it can be made street legal for tooting around town? (35mph speed limit)

Local rule dependant. It has a title?

Doubt it, its just a lil' dirtbike. I know my original XR80 didn't have any title. I would have to do it off a Bill of Sale.

State specific.

Here it probably wouldn't pass emissions.

If it has a headlight, tail light, turn signals, and a horn it'll pass Bexar County inspection. I don't know how different things are for you up there, but down here I could get plates for damn near anything, I think.

Actually turn signals are optional in Texas.

Unless you're handicapped via missing left arm.

Everything can be made legal, even 50's, as long as the lights are above a height requirement.

You know I thought that, but I wasn't sure. I do know that the motorcycle inspection I went through was a joke, at best. The guy doing the inspection did get upset about me "having a headlight out", despite my explanation that the bike is designed that way. It wasn't until three or four other guys there backed me up that he believed it.

I'm really skeptical that the inspectors have even the most remote of ideas as to what constitutes a "legal" motorcycle. :skep:

I started to bring an extra bulb with me and changed it on the spot to show the guy that thats how it worked.

and thats why i pay to get it done at the dealer. or at least did until my boy chris said fuck inspections

If you take it to a motorcycle shop capable, they can go about it 2 ways - Really strict where they ride it, or really lax where they just hand you the sticker to put on. Regular mechanics at car shops, etc will most likely either have you do the "road" test yourself, or also once again, just hand you the sticker.

Depends on where you take it. I never have an issue because all my road bikes are 100% legit to be on the road, and I wouldn't want to ride anything that even might raise a flag because then cop attention multiplies.