minimum legal requirements.....

[2006 _p1]

Well i have an off road bike i would like to make road legal but what are the minimum requirements to make it road legal? can i make it so i can just ride it in the day and not at night?


Ta very much

[Ant132]

Pretty sure it would be Rear/Brake light, Road legal tyres (maybe exhaust), Horn, Speedometer? and that would be it.

Im pretty sure Indicators arent needed for off road style bikes (although i would have them if i were you) and mirrors are not required on any bike. (But again, have them)

No headlight needed for day use only, (or clear visibilty)

Ant.
____________________
1980 Suzuki TS50 ~ 1984 Honda CB400N ~ 1992 Triumph Trident ~ 1998 Suzuki Bandit 1200

[thegubner]

You can get a daytime only MOT, not sure on the exact requirements though.

People like G, Kickstart or Sickpup tend to be most knowledgeable on situations like this.

[2006 _p1]

Oh ok dont sound like too much then. yeah thats all i want a daytime MOT. lets see if they post in here and shed some more light on daytime MOT's.

[thegubner]

You could always send a PM if no joy in here, I don't think any of them would mind.

And Kickstart and Sickpup have always been very helpful when I have asked things.

[G]

It depends on how 'legal' you want to be, presuming you don't want to get far-too anal...

I presume when you say 'off road bike' you do mean a dirt bike of some kind.

Was it ever road legal in the past?
If not, you'll need to mess about a bit, but not too much providing there is a certain amount of ground clearance as enduro bikes get special rules.

Passing an MOT and being road legal are not the same, however 99.99% of the time, if the bike will pass an MOT, you'll be fine.

Of course different MOT places look on things differently. For some, adding a horn to your bike will make it road legal, providing the rest is fine.
Others might want a brake light too.
A push-bike speedo is definitely a sensible addition, though the functioning of a speedo at least isn't checked in MOT.
You'll need road legal tyres, or at least not tyres that say "Not for Highway use" on them; you can get some quite aggressive pattern dirt tyres in road legal forms.

Most places should fine to do the MOT without lights, but should put an advisory noting the fact.

[2006 _p1]

Ahh thanks G. nahh its never been road legal and yeah its a motorcross bike.

errm its hard to know what to exactly i need to put on the bike for an MOT. all im wanting is a daytime MOT. i thought all Garages putting a bike through an MOt would have to stick to the same rules?


i want the bike for green laneing etc so i want to still have a decent set of knobblies.

Thanks

[G]

Technically they should all be the same, I'm sure - but in reality that's not the case.

Phone the place you're going to use and ask them what needs to be done.

[2006 _p1]

Ok thanks very much!

[2006 _p1]

Oh yeah i will need a number plate as well?

Also how small can i legaly with the number plate?

[.....]

Tyres
Item 2 Motorcycle Tyres - Motocross or Similar
There is a number of Motocross or similar type tyres on the market with the spacing between the block treads greater than the block width and that have been approved for road use. According to the MOT Inspection Manual guidance these tyres should be failed unless they have an approval marking and MST (Multi Service Tyre) moulded into the sidewall of the tyre.
If a machine is presented for MOT test fitted with any of these types of tyres, you should not fail them just because they do not display MST. If the tyre is marked with an 'E' in a circle, or an 'e' in a rectangle, moulded in to the tyre wall, this shows that the tyre has been type approved for road use. Similarly if a tyre is permanently marked with the letters JIS (Japanese Industry Standard) or DOE (American Standard) then the tyre is also approved for road use. These tyres may not necessarily be marked MST as set out in the information column in Section 4.1 page 1 ('Examples of unsuitable tyres' paragraph b.) of the MOT Inspection Manual.
Therefore principal reason for failure 1, 'an unsuitable tyre' in the Motor Bicycle and Side Car Testing Manual section 4.1 page 1 does not apply to these tyres providing they permanently display on a sidewall any of the approval markings mentioned in the above paragraph.


Exhausts
7.1 Exhaust System
2 Issue Date: May 2004 The Motor Bicycle and Side Car M.O.T. Inspection Manual
Information
A durable repair to the exhaust system that
effectively prevents leaks is acceptable
providing the system is structurally sound.
Method of Inspection
1. Examine the condition of the exhaust
system including the silencer(s) and
mountings for security, deterioration and
completeness.
2. With the engine running assess the
effectiveness of the silencer(s) in reducing
as far as is reasonable the noise emitted.
3. Check the silencer(s) on all machines for
any unacceptable markings.
Reason for Rejection
1.
a. any part of the exhaust system missing or
excessively deteriorated
b. a leak in the exhaust system which causes
excessive noise to be emitted
c. an exhaust system mounting missing or
one which is in such a condition that it
does not fully support the exhaust
system.
2. A silencer that is in such a condition or is
of such a type that the noise emitted is
clearly in excess of that which would be
produced by a similar machine fitted with
a standard silencer in average condition.
3. A silencer marked 'NOT FOR ROAD
USE', 'TRACK USE ONLY' or
similar words

Registration plate and VIN number
6.3 Registration Plates and Vehicle Identification/Frame Number
4 Issue Date: December 2003 The Motor Bicycle & Side Car M.O.T. Inspection Manual
Information
Registration Plates
Unregistered Vehicles
Unregistered vehicles need not be fitted with
number plates.
Style of Letters/Figures
Letters/figures must be of equal width along
their entire length.
Method of Inspection
1. Check that there is a registration plate
fitted at the rear of the motor bicycle or
sidecar, and check it for security and
condition.
2. Check visually that the letters and figures
are correctly formed and are not
obviously likely to be misread due to, for
example, badly positioned, uncovered or
wrongly coloured retaining bolts etc.
Reason for Rejection
1. A rear registration plate
a. missing
b. so insecure that it is likely to fall off
c. letter or figure missing or incomplete
d. faded, dirty, deteriorated or obscured
so that it is likely to be misread or not
easily legible by a person standing
approximately 15 metres to the rear of
the machine)
e. format incorrect (see additional
information).
2. A rear registration plate with
a. a letter or figure not correctly formed
or likely to be misread
b. letters and/or figures likely to be
misread or not easily legible by a
person standing approximately 15
metres to the rear of the machine
c. a letter or figure which is obviously
not of equal width along its entire
length
d. any feature on a registration plate that
has the effect of changing the
appearance or legibility of any of the
characters of the registration mark, so
the true identity of the machine is less
easily identified.

They have to be also set out like this.

AB01
ABC

NOT like this.

AB01 ABC

"Letters and/or figures likely to be
misread or not easily legible by a
person standing approximately 15
metres to the rear of the machine"
This is required for the MOT so it can be slightly undersize.
This though is not going to be legal for the police requirements !!
You have been warned !!

Electrics
If lights are fitted they MUST all work including a brake light fitted front and rear.
A horn must be fitted, bulb type horns are no longer allowed, you can get a battery operated horn from Halfords or most pedal cycle shops that fits your handlebars,
Indicators must work if they are fitted, if they are not fitted but have the switchgear to operate them then make that switch inoperable for the tester.
Headlight must have a High/low beam and the pattern should not kick up to the right, insulating tape on the lens is perfectly acceptable to get the beam pattern legal, you can pass an MOT with a flat beam pattern, side light must work if it is fitted to the unit or has the facility on the switchgear.
Numberplate light should be fitted also (no white light should be visible from the rear).

If a DAYTIME MOT is to be issued then the only thing you need is a horn.

Bodywork
Please make sure that none of your bodywork is hanging off, everything is secure (zip ties are fine if needed) and no sharp edges.

Bearings,pivots and linkages
No baggy bearings etc, slight play is allowed only, head bearings can have a slight notch only, if they center themselves with the wheel off the ground then they could fail.

Spokes
Make sure none of your spokes are loose, this is not just for the MOT but also for your safety.

Seat
Must be secure, with no major faults.

Handlebar Grips
If they are loose, wrecked or spin IT WILL FAIL !!

Brake system
Pads to be in good order, mastercylinders to be topped up with fluid, no leaks and all components in good working order, if you have a binding brake IT WILL FAIL !! strip and clean the caliper and fit some new seals.

Forks and seals
A leaking seal will fail too but if its under gaitors or neoprene sleeves then they cant be tampered with by the tester, but you dont ride with knackered seals anyway.......DO YOU. ( if it is just mist then it will pass)
Front and rear suspension must have adequate damping.

Split pins / locking pins etc
If there is the facility for these items, get them fitted. (Wheel spindles, drum brake torque arms etc)

Fuel cap
Must fit correctly and not leak, the seal will be checked and must not be perished.

[2006 _p1]

"Unregistered vehicles need not be fitted with
number plates"

I dont get it. dont you need your bike to be registerd? surely you do

[mattgirv]

No I imagine that is if the bike isn't registered then it won't fail an MOT for not having a number plate.
____________________
Bikes: 1998 Honda VFR800Fi, 26,500 miles
1989 Honda CB-1, 38,000 miles

[G]

To get your bike registered for the first time, you need the MOT; so you would be in a 'Catch 22' if you have to have the plate on the bike to get an MOT, but couldn't get the plate without the MOT.

[2006 _p1]

[.....]

You get a MOT then you register it.

[2006 _p1]

But dont you need the number plate to pass the MOT?

[.....]

[2006 _p1]

Ooo silly me.

Thanks everone for helping me!

[2006 _p1]

Sorry

[Ant132]

[timjim]

The bike(without number plates) would have an MOT made out stating the frame number,once MOTd ,the bike would then have to be registered.We get a lot of import cars coming off the ferry/ships at southampton docks,straight in for MOT,then up to get resistered etc.
You may neeed to contact your local VOSA station as i thought daytime MOTs were no longer available????dont quote me on this,but thought it was due to riding in bad weather without lights etc.Im SURE someone will correct me!!

[Kal]

Bounce was MoT'd on it's frame number.

DK did all the paperwork for my registration as part of my purchase, go into your local DVLA office - the advisor there will be able to help you.

There *may* be type approval issues if that model of bike has not been used on the road previously.

I would suggest you contact the bikes manufacturer to get an offical letter confirming its date of manufacture - should cost about £30 - or you will end up on Q plates with me. It isn't the end of the world but does limit the amount of companies that will cover you and jack the price of premiums up slightly.

Oh yeah that reminds me, you'll need valid insurance to obtain a registration mark - and they won't allow you to insure for long on a frame number.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[2006 _p1]

Ok....All this stufff is confusing me So many things to think about!
I dont want to have an old plate!!!

[Rockhopper]