Sorry to rain on the endless parade of ways to get around inspection problems, but consider the following:
1.
The requirements are there for a reason. Okay, illuminating the license plate is not safety-related, but the signals/reflectors are. Have you ever followed a bike with the "integrated" stop/turn system? There's a lot of important info displayed in a small space when slowing and turning. Cars have gone the other way, with
separate tail, brake,and turn lights. If we want to be more conspicuous than cars, this is one form of integration we should pass up, IMO. Never mind what's legal -- this is a safety issue.
License-plate illumination is easy with a tail chop if you get the right kit. The one I got is SS and allows the stock license plate light to bolt on. Of course if you just have a couple of angle brackets from the hardware store.... Again IMO, given the money we spend to buy and modify these bikes, spending an extra $30 to do things right is not unreasonable.
I hate the stock reflectors, just like everyone else. Sections 19VAC30-70-330 through 19VAC30-70-420 of the VA administrative code cover the inspection requirements for motorcycles. I didn't see anything in these sections pertaining to reflectors. Anyone wishing to check for themselves can do so here:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+reg+19VAC30-70-330.
But rather than get into a harrangue about this at inspection time, and in the interest of safety, my solution is shown here:
http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/index.php?topic=55107.msg673773#msg673773 Style and safety in one step. I also have (blue, what else) reflective tape on my rim sides. Maybe drivers will see me better at night and thereby avoid t-boning me. One can always hope.
2.
Passing inspection is a daily requirement. LEOs can stop you any time for what they believe to be defective equipment or incorrect installation. Was stopped by state trooper around here for visibility of my license plate. I reset the angle for minimum necessary clearance of the tire (by compressing the rear spring to the stop with ratchet straps) and checked it out w/ the trooper next time I saw him. It wasn't vertical, but he said he'd never have stopped me if it had been angled as I now have it.
Not that LEOs always get it right. So you can either carry the regs in your seat storage and argue your way out of a ticket (unless he/she says "Tell it to the judge.") or do a reasonable and safe job on these things in the first place.
