The Chemist is off-center! (with his license plate)

[Chemist]

I've finished the working model of my offset license plate bracket. I'm headed out on an eleven day trip through the southwest states , so it will get a good "shake-down" over the next week and a half.


Here's the hardware:

1) 1/8" x 2" x 18" steel bar, with two bends and six holes.
2) Two Plasti-dip coated u-bolts.
3) 1/16" x 6" x 12" plate backer.



Sorry, forgot to get a pic of it assembled, off the car. When I get back, I'll try to get some under car pics as well.


Head on shot installed:



Side view and close-up:

[KappaKadet]

Are you sure that is street legal? City cruisers might be OK with it and county mounties probably wouldn't bother you; but am guessing some black & white TxDPS skunkcar will pull you right over and say it's not legible... therefore... cha-$-ching. Good luck and have a safe fun trip!!

[Chemist]

I'll find out. I'm planning on carrying my stock hanger with me just in case.

Being on the driver's side, it faces the oncoming traffic pretty well. It's legible in _my_ estimation, but I don't work for TxDOT.

[mistergib]

Originally Posted by Chemist I'll find out. I'm planning on carrying my stock hanger with me just in case. Being on the driver's side, it faces the oncoming traffic pretty well. It's legible in _my_ estimation, but I don't work for TxDOT.

...no offense meant so don't take this wrong...ok. Being honest about it
and being a stickler for detail, I have to say that I think the front tag,
which I don't like either, would look better mounted in the stock position
rather than on the side where you have it....it just looks out of place
there and looks like an afterthought position...I think it looks that way
because it's not in a true vertical position?? Have you tried it mounted
straight up and down on the side where you have it??
I'm from Colorado so we do the 2-tag thing too....but I confess, I've had
my car for 5 months....and have not ran the front tag yet....so far, no
tickets....knock on wood!

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by Chemist I've finished the working model of my offset license plate bracket. I'm headed out on an eleven day trip through the southwest states , so it will get a good "shake-down" over the next week and a half. Head on shot installed:

IMO, if you have to have a front plate, the stock position looks better.

So, Chemist, I am wondering . . . is this to be a permanent installation, or a temporary 'preventative measure' for use during your planned trip?

I was slightly concerned about not having a front plate on my recent trek to NASSM'09. There is no place to mount a plate anywhere when I have my bra installed. I went without a plate, but kept it behind the front seat. I rigged up a method using a couple of small black bungee cords that hook on the edge of the facia under the hood, and under the facia underneath. I'll carry it with me all the time now. But (Knock! Knock! on wood), I haven't had a front plate since the car was new (Aug. '07). Lucky, I guess.

[rallyracer]

I think that oddball plate position is more likely to attract attention than no plate at all. But I suppose you are thinking you would rather have a warning for improper position rather than a citation for no plate. Maybe so.

I would go with no plate showing but have a plate and broken bracket to show the officer. "It broke when you hit a parking lot bumper and you were going to fix it when you get back home."

[KappaKadet]

Originally Posted by rallyracer "It broke when you hit a parking lot bumper and you were going to fix it when you get back home."

If you get pulled over for no front tags in Texas, you get a ticket. No excuses... not behind the seat, not on the dashboard, not stuck in a side window, not banged up in the trunk. Plate has to be mounted on the front of the vehicle. Sad, but true.

[Bosch]

Originally Posted by KappaKadet If you get pulled over for no front tags in Texas, you get a ticket. No excuses... not behind the seat, not on the dashboard, not stuck in a side window, not banged up in the trunk. Plate has to be mounted on the front of the vehicle. Sad, but true.

Hmmm I am still waiting for that ticket been almost 8 years..


Run somewhat human speeds out of state you will do fine.. What I've learned in years of playing down in AZ, NV, CA, TX NM...

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by mistergib ...no offense meant so don't take this wrong...ok. Being honest about it and being a stickler for detail, I have to say that I think the front tag, which I don't like either, would look better mounted in the stock position rather than on the side where you have it....it just looks out of place there and looks like an afterthought position...I think it looks that way because it's not in a true vertical position?? Have you tried it mounted straight up and down on the side where you have it?? I'm from Colorado so we do the 2-tag thing too....but I confess, I've had my car for 5 months....and have not ran the front tag yet....so far, no tickets....knock on wood!

No offense taken. Opinions are opinions.

I ran the plate at the angle I did to minimize the work to produce the bracket. I'm only running a front plate because (1) it's the law, and (2) I don't want to pay the $110-120 fine.

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem IMO, if you have to have a front plate, the stock position looks better. So, Chemist, I am wondering . . . is this to be a permanent installation, or a temporary 'preventative measure' for use during your planned trip?

Again, opinions are opinions.

Nope, I'm going to keep it there, I think. I like it better than stock.

Originally Posted by rallyracer I think that oddball plate position is more likely to attract attention than no plate at all. But I suppose you are thinking you would rather have a warning for improper position rather than a citation for no plate. Maybe so. I would go with no plate showing but have a plate and broken bracket to show the officer. "It broke when you hit a parking lot bumper and you were going to fix it when you get back home."

As long as it is visible. legible, and "in the front." In State v. Losoya, 128 S.W.3d 413 (Tex. App. - Austin 2004, pet. ref'd) the Texas Court of Appeals ruled that if the plate could be seen and read from the front of the car that it met the requirements of the law (Texas Transportation Code section 502.404(a) ).

Originally Posted by KappaKadet If you get pulled over for no front tags in Texas, you get a ticket. No excuses... not behind the seat, not on the dashboard, not stuck in a side window, not banged up in the trunk. Plate has to be mounted on the front of the vehicle. Sad, but true.

KappaKadet, see the court case I referred to above. Losoya in that case had the plate in his front window. The Court of Appeals ruled that that WAS legal, meeting the intent of the law.

I appreciate all of the replies.

[KappaKadet]

Originally Posted by Chemist Losoya in that case had the plate in his front window. The Court of Appeals ruled that that WAS legal, meeting the intent of the law.

That's good to know. Guy must have had an expensive lawyer. So, we might get away with having the plate under the seat and then tossing it up on the dash if we get pulled over? Still, isn't there some law restricting stickers, signs, placards, etc on the windshield, regarding obstruction of driver's view?



Do you have some stickyback felt attached to the rear of the holder plate to protect the paint?
... just in case the bracket gets bent by wind pressure at certain uhh umm high speeds ...

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by KappaKadet If you get pulled over for no front tags in Texas, you get a ticket. No excuses... not behind the seat, not on the dashboard, not stuck in a side window, not banged up in the trunk. Plate has to be mounted on the front of the vehicle. Sad, but true.

Well, you're almost right. I've been stopped three times for no front plate in Texas. The State Patrol gave me a verbal warning, sent me on my way. The two Houston police each gave me a ticket. The judge in each case dismissed the charge.

SCOREBOARD:
MariSOL 3
Police 0

.

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by KappaKadet That's good to know. Guy must have had an expensive lawyer. So, we might get away with having the plate under the seat and then tossing it up on the dash if we get pulled over? Still, isn't there some law restricting stickers, signs, placards, etc on the windshield, regarding obstruction of driver's view? Do you have some stickyback felt attached to the rear of the holder plate to protect the paint? ... just in case the bracket gets bent by wind pressure at certain uhh umm high speeds ...

Silicone baking mat between bracket and fascia along the bottom and silicon rubber "bumpers" between the plate backer and front fascia, also rubber grommets around the upper plate screws.

[liveaboard74]

Originally Posted by rallyracer I think that oddball plate position is more likely to attract attention than no plate at all. But I suppose you are thinking you would rather have a warning for improper position rather than a citation for no plate. Maybe so. I would go with no plate showing but have a plate and broken bracket to show the officer. "It broke when you hit a parking lot bumper and you were going to fix it when you get back home."

YES SIR I fully understand a broken plate holder so send in your bond money with pictures of your plate where it should be and lets hope the judge is in a good mood today. They can write tickets for no plates. If you don't have one on there, you'll already guilty with or without a reason. Feel for you guys. NC has one plate no more inspection stickers in the windows now. but TX DOT are real cracker heads when it comes to you guys laws and there twice as tough on use as they are you locals. If we are pulled over in TX you can almost bet they are going to find something to write us up for and they do random inspections of us all the time. If you have to try something and its tearing at your gut to NOT RUN A PLATE,, I think he might have a idea there on the off set. Least he has a fighting chance cause the plate is on there. Don't think 95 in a 70 has a chance either cause the speed-0 was broke but if ya had to put your money on something or nothing I'd go with the off set.
When you think your plate looks bad,, look at the guys plates from Europe. 4x8 billboard and they might as well add LEDs to dress them up.

[sprz31]

I tried making something kind of like this. I took it front the bottom grille to the grille for the fog lights. If i spent a little more time I think could make something much better. I probably should do some measurements, but I think I am just going to remove it and hope no cop gives me a ticket.

[Bagpypr]

I think it looks nice. Great design, low profile. It has that old British roadster feel to it. Nice job!