Worcester Massachusetts Build

[roger32849]

link

I went to the Registry of Motor Vehicles today and got the forms to fill out for my inspection. Got to return tomorrow to pay the inspection fee ($50.00) and schedule an appointment. The above picture is the completed project... (Still needs the harness installed). Will wait until after Christmas to make the appointment. To everyone: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Roger
Worcester Massachusetts

[Kevin Patrick]

Looks fantastic Roger!

[erik]

looks very neat!
good luck!

Erik

[roger32849]

Just a flash update.. Thanks for the comments Kevin and Erik I really appreciate it...... Today I returned to the vehicle Registry and paid my $50.00 fee for the VIN inspection, got the paperwork all filled out and officially stamped. Right now all I do is wait until after Christmas to make the appointment. I went through all my receipts, bills of sale, import documents, titles, Certificates of Origin and gift letters. I made copies of everything......... EVERYTHING!!! Included in the packet are over 200 photographs of the build in various stages of completion. The folder is over 3 inches thick. I am confident I have all paperwork in order and I am hopeful the State Trooper that does the inspection will recognize the effort and quality of workmanship that went into the manufacture of the frame, GRP pieces as well as my part in the final assembly.

I spoke to Kevin Patrick at Exomotive today. It sounds like business is picking up and things for 2014 look very promising. Kevin also informed me that there are 2 new USA buyers for the Eco-Exo-R. One in Utah and the other in the North East (not sure which state). They have yet to receive their kits but If you guys need any assistance I would be more than glad to help out.

With that, it is time to settle in for the night.

Roger
Worcester Massachusetts

[edvb]

Good luck Roger. Talking with you almost daily I know you will pass with flying colors. You are just a few stitches away from success.

Edward

[roger32849]

I called the Massachusetts State Trooper inspection center to make the appointment for my inspection. The officer I spoke to naturally wants all legal documents, receipts, photos, and serial numbers of donor vehicles. I am hoping he doesn't ask for something unexpected or Unobtainable. As far as the mechanical inspection goes, I am not really worried about that save one concern about the front fenders. They may prove to be to short, but those I can replace if that becomes necessary.

Based on the outcome of the inspection I may have to cough up about $500.00 for sales tax, $15.00 for registration fees, $25.00 for plate transfer and $75.00 for a title. None of the fees are optional, but if it means getting on the road I am okay with it. I will be posting the outcome of the inspection whether it is good, bad or ugly.

Roger
Worcester. Massachusetts

[edvb]

Boy did you luck out and get the inspection so quickly. Good luck on Monday. I have my fingers crossed for a great outcome.

Edward

[roger32849]

I thought I would detail the outcome of my inspection. After paying the $50.00 fee and renting an open trailer, loading my trike, it began to pour down heavy blowing rain. Any attempt to keep things dry was futile. I arrived at the inspection station on time and was given the courtesy of being allowed into the maintenance garage as a priority. The inspector had nothing but good comments about the build and design. He walked around it several times and asked a dozen or more questions. No problems, no issues and nothing negative at all. This inspection is not necessarily a roadworthy test but more of an inspection for completion. Lights, horn, directionals, seatbelt, gauges, brakes and so on...

Here is the outcome: he could not assign my VIN number because I needed two additional documents. Documents are the only means the inspector has to prove ownership and to assign a value. The documents needed were both for the donor engine. Even though I had the transfer of ownership on a copied form, the inspector wanted the document to be on an original form. Both have the identical information. When it comes to paperwork I believe all government entities are unwavering and undaunted in their appetite for it.... It seems more is better. It made little difference that I had the title in hand and a receipt......so, last Friday I drove the 150 mile round trip to the company I bought the donor engine from, paid $120.00 for the properly signed original form and returned home. The other form... Again for the donor engine .. Was the insurance companies appraisal for the totaled Burgman Scooter at the time of loss. I called the insurance company and they reluctantly agreed to send me a copy. It arrived on the 27th of December.

Often times things are not easy nor do they always go as planned... As disappointed as I was I thanked the State Trooper for doing the inspection and for taking extra time in an attempt to contact the insurance company and Exomotive to comply with the states requirements. All totaled, I spent about an hour in the facility . At the end, I loaded the trike back onto the trailer (fought the rain) and returned home. I made a few phone calls and started the process to obtain what the inspector needed. I now have all documents in hand and I am currently waiting for Kevin Patrick to be contacted by the inspector before I make any attempt to have a re-inspection done. I am confident things will go well in the end. This type of inspection is a first for me and the State Trooper admitted it was a first for him as well.

If asked what I learned from the inspection process I would have to say this: when you schedule your inspection go there with a 100% completed project with 100% of the paperwork that is 100% completed. Also expect the inspector to be 100% unwavering in upholding the states requirements for allowing a vehicle to operate on the states highways. Hope for a good inspection result but prepare for failure.

Roger

[erik]

Happy newyear!

Bummer the process didn't go as easy as inspected but fortunately it had nothing to do with the Exo build so no rework needed yet.
Seems your on track now and get this sorted in short time notice.

good luck!
Erik

[roger32849]

Thanks Erik, Happy New Year to you as well. Everything has a learning curve, starting with what we learn from infancy to present time. Only the very lucky or the very talented are the exceptions to this rule. I do have to admit that in this case I wish I were lucky enough to have the necessary documents on my first visit to get the VIN assigned. I have everything I need but I found a small discrepancy in one document so I requested a correction. It is on the way. When it arrives I will make an appointment for the follow up. One good thing, the inspector will not need do a complete re-inspection. He just needs the documents he requested and if he is satisfied, then I will be all set with the VIN assignment so I can get my project on the road. I will post the re-inspection date and the results.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERY ONE

Roger

[roger32849]

I have my inspection scheduled for 1:00 PM today. I had a few conversations with the inspector and others within the system on processes and paperwork requirements. I am all set with certificates, titles, receipts, transfers of ownership papers and insurance docs. The inspection process requires verification of all key paperwork and with 4 time zones in the US it is possible to need to verify information as faraway as Los Angeles... (3hours difference). I reserved a flatbed trailer at the local U-Haul dealer. The weather will be clear and sunny, but cold... Very cold!!! Like in the low teens (F). At the end of the day, we are looking at this build as a motorcycle not designed to be operated during extremes like Icy/snowy surfaces. We will see how it works. It started right up yesterday, so I do not expect it to have any issues in that department, but I don't know how the inspection area will look as far as ice or snow. Well, that's it..

Here goes try number 2...

Roger
Worcester Massachusetts

[martinw]

Good luck - sounds chilly over there! But then....it's wet over here

Martin

[edvb]

Good luck Roger! I have a good feeling about it today.

[roger32849]

Thanks everyone, I have the Eco-Exo-R loaded on the rental trailer and tied down. It is darned ccccccold out...... The temps are in the single digits with a -15 deg F wind chill factor.... Still the engine on the trike started without any problems and I am hopeful the inspector will assign my VIN today. The good news is the "polar vortex" is keeping the weather dry.. No snow... No rain, and providing bright sunny skies in spite of the low temps. Let's see what the day brings. I have paperwork in hand and ready.....

Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts

[erik]

Good luck this time Roger

br,
Erik