Norms, Technical Inspection: The Guide to Customizing Your Harley without Taking (too much) Risks

Intro – Obligations and Questions

As every year passes, new standards and certifications, some mandatory, continue to add to the growing list of elements to consider when choosing parts for your Harley-Davidson. Add to that the arrival of technical inspections and the obligations they entail, and you may find yourself lost. To guide you effectively, we will outline your obligations and help you choose the perfect parts for your project.

1- Parts Freely Changed

You can modify anything related to the motorcycle's aesthetics: grips, footrests, color, etc. Regarding what is legal or not, Article R322-8 of the Highway Code states: "Any modification made to a registered vehicle, whether it is a significant transformation or any other modification likely to alter the characteristics indicated on the registration certificate, requires the modification of the certificate. To this end, the owner must send a declaration accompanied by the vehicle's registration certificate to the prefecture of their choice within one month of the vehicle's modification. The owner retains, if applicable, the detachable coupon duly completed. [...]". Understand that you can modify the entire aesthetic aspect as long as it does not alter the characteristics of your motorcycle. So, what constitutes a modification that must be notified?

2- Changes to be Approved

If you have any doubts about your rights to modify your motorcycle, keep in mind that any change must comply with EU standards and conform to European community approval. This means that a motorcycle should correspond to its initial approval. We know that our passion for Harley-Davidsons drives us to want increasingly sought-after and exclusive parts. However, in its effort for European uniformity, France is gradually implementing certifications and obligations to refine its regulations regarding two-wheelers. Although the law is implicit, understand that any modification is prohibited if it does not correspond to approval, as we have just seen above (beyond aesthetic modifications). To understand properly, approval includes all mandatory equipment such as engine power, transmission gear ratio, turn signals, lights, mirrors, installation of rear controls, exhaust system, muffler replacement, tire size, and braking system (including positioning height, width, and size on the motorcycle).

3- Prohibited Changes

However, some modifications are simply prohibited, such as changing the diameter or width of the wheels, altering the weight of a scooter or motorcycle, and increasing its noise level. Furthermore, with the imminent arrival of technical inspections, there's no hiding anymore; the parts will be seen and inspected, thus avoiding any temptation to slip through the cracks. Our advice? Understand the risks involved and seek professional help to modify your vehicle; we happen to maintain a list of trusted partner garages.

4- Risks

If you are stopped and have not declared these changes, you will be liable to a fourth-class fine. In the event that you sell your motorcycle without notifying the authorities of your changes, you will be liable to a fine of €7,500 and 6 months in prison. These are serious risks but logical when considering the potential consequences. While we all love the aesthetics and sound of a well-prepared V-Twin, it's important to distinguish between "daily" bikes and show bikes. Additionally, in the event of an accident, your insurance may not cover the guarantees if the changes have not been declared and are therefore not compliant with the registration certificate. In other circumstances, your premium may also increase, or even your contract be terminated; non-declaration can be considered fraud. So, how do you choose your parts?

5- Choosing the Right Parts

Choosing the modifications to make to your motorcycle is primarily about taking the time to study your needs and seeking professional help if you have any doubts. Throughout the entire Holydeath Shop website, we have implemented an annotation system to facilitate your searches, presenting you intuitively with the standards, certifications, and compatibility of the parts. Additionally, our Customer Service Center is at your disposal to answer all your questions.

6- Final Advice

If the aesthetics of your motorcycle and its unique character matter to you, as we understand they do, it's important not to take unnecessary risks. For all your painting and customization work, our Paint Shop and Warehouse workshops are at your disposal. And if you wish to go further and carry out significant modifications, we can only invite you to contact us to create a custom project from A to Z, supervised by professionals who will hand over the keys to your Harley once it is compliant, declared, and secure. Even if you do not plan to carry out your work with us, we will answer your questions and guide you.

Ride safe <3