Tao Tao ATM-50A - is it really 49cc???

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Tao Tao ATM-50A - is it really 49cc??? by: methejdo - Jun 26, 2014 18:21:50 GMT -5

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Post by methejdo on Jun 26, 2014 18:21:50 GMT -5

Hello all. I am new to the forum and I need some help here.

Yesterday I got pulled over because I was clocked going 50mph on my 2013 TaoTao ATM 50A. Under NC law, a moped should not be able to exceed 35mph...so that was the trouble. When the officer read the VIN he told me that the fifth digit was E - meaning that the engine was classified as

-99cc and so it was legally a motorcycle and should be registered as such. He let me off without a ticket because he believed that I genuinely thought it was a 49cc when I bought it (the manufacturer website says 49cc, the guy i got it from said 49cc, the title says 49cc...). He advised me to sell it and buy a moped that has A as the fifth digit on the VIN (so that it is under 50cc).

So is my moped really

-99cc?? Why would the manufacturer blatantly lie like that? What should I do? This is my commute bike and I dont have a license or anything so I am in a big mess if I dont have it. For now I am still riding it and watching my speed but i am unsure about what to do about all of this. I am kinda broke at the moment and its having engine trouble so I dont think i can really sell it and get another one.

Thanks in advance for any and all answers and advice!

-JDO

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Tao Tao ATM-50A - is it really 49cc??? by: JerryScript - Jun 26, 2014 22:54:32 GMT -5

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Post by JerryScript on Jun 26, 2014 22:54:32 GMT -5

Look on the lower part of the engine case on the left side near the center stand. If it says 139QMB, it is in fact a 50cc. It may have had a BBK installed on it, which could take it up to an 83cc, and that could get you up to 50mph downhill. Let us know what the engine stamp says.

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Tao Tao ATM-50A - is it really 49cc??? by: earlylight160 - Jun 27, 2014 5:07:04 GMT -5

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Post by earlylight160 on Jun 27, 2014 5:07:04 GMT -5

My Tomos Twister 50 has a 49cc engine and the 5th digit of the VIN is "C" not "A" as the officer states. I bought the scoot brand new and top speed was 38 mph (GPS) right off the showroom floor.

Last Edit: Jun 27, 2014 5:09:27 GMT -5 by earlylight160

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2012 Tomos Twister 50, Performance CDI, NGK Iridium plug
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Installed three stage battery charger. Added Trunk (Top Box) Stainless steel Cup Holder, LCD Clock/Calender, and LED lighting inside the trunk, the glove box and the storage compartment beneath the seat.

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Tao Tao ATM-50A - is it really 49cc??? by: nandy - Jun 27, 2014 20:44:59 GMT -5

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Post by nandy on Jun 27, 2014 20:44:59 GMT -5

Jun 26, 2014 18:21:50 GMT -5 methejdo said:

Under NC law, a moped should not be able to exceed 35mph...so that was the trouble.

Negative, that is incorrect, it is 30 mph. From the DMV site:
A moped cannot have a motor of more than 50 cubic cc, an external shifting device, or have the capability of exceeding 30 miles per hour on a level surface.

www.ncdot.gov/dmv/vehicle/title/vehicles/

Stop drawing attention to you by obeying all laws and staying withing the speed limit and is the speed limit is over 30 mph dont got over it. Even if it is going down a hill. The police wont stop you out of the blue unless you do something wrong as you can see they are also very forgiving but keep in mind this particular officer has seen you so you need to make sure you have the correct equipment.

As far as the vin number I am sure that is not true to all scooters. Each vendor might have a different nomenclature for their vin. Even if all manufacturers would have agreed you can still change your motor in your bike to a 50 cc and that would not make it illegal.
Good luck.

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Tao Tao ATM-50A - is it really 49cc??? by: Bintelli - Justin - Jun 30, 2014 7:33:25 GMT -5

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Post by Bintelli - Justin on Jun 30, 2014 7:33:25 GMT -5

The vin number will have nothing to do with the speed. Each factory chooses what they want most of the digits to stand for. Most likely your scooter has been upgraded along the way. There are many factories who are illegally stamping larger engines as 49cc in order to sell more. Many have been caught and dealt with, but a lot are still sneaking them in.

Justin Jackrel
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www.BintelliScooters.com

Tao Tao ATM-50A - is it really 49cc??? By methejdo (Read 1,494 times)

Post by methejdo on Jun 26, 2014 18:21:50 GMT -5

Post by JerryScript on Jun 26, 2014 22:54:32 GMT -5

Post by earlylight160 on Jun 27, 2014 5:07:04 GMT -5

Post by nandy on Jun 27, 2014 20:44:59 GMT -5

Post by Bintelli - Justin on Jun 30, 2014 7:33:25 GMT -5

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