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Illegal tail light?

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binge
Emo Kiddy



Joined: 03 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 20:20 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Illegal tail light? Reply with quote

Okay, I know the plate is highly illegal anyway. But is the Tail light taking the Piss?
Or is it legal?


https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/binge/DSC00586.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/binge/DSC00587.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/binge/DSC00588-1.jpg


Basically, There used to be a subframe running under that tail plastic. But when I used to stunt it, I had a 12 bar bolted to that subframe. With it bending up and down constantly. It eventually weakened. And the other day, Even though I took the 12 bar off long ago. It snapped.

The Off-Road bikes dont have this part of the subframe anyway, Only the road going ones. its put there to hold the Reg plate and light/indicators.

But as its gone now, Is my tail light okay mounted where it is?




Ben
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virus
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PostPosted: 20:39 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

If its mounted securely, Has a reflector, numberplate illumination, and only shows red light to the rear then its legal.

Cheers
John
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stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.
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Kickstart
The Oracle



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PostPosted: 20:46 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

Could probably do you for having an LED (non filament bulb) light if they were really picky.

Most of the regulations are here:-

https://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_15.htm#nsch10

They could probably get you on the basis that it isn't really "near" the rear of the bike.

Could possibly also get you on the angles it is visable from (15 degrees about and below, the above bit might be an issue).

All th best

Keith
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TAX MY BRAIN
Nitrous Nuisance



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PostPosted: 20:48 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Id say thats a " please pull me over plod "

but hey put a false plate on should be a sure thing for some plod baiting Laughing
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Pernig
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PostPosted: 20:51 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks alright to me, it seems to drown out the number plate though. Does your number plate have a light illuminating it?
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NiteMare
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PostPosted: 21:00 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

that "looks" to be larger than the one i have on my slabby, i've been followed by plod a couple of times with no pull, i've also been pulled over the once on the M6 by plod but there was no mention of the tail light ....

he was under the impression that my bike might be dangerous as it has no rear bodywork/seat/mudguard....

mine is also an led tail/brake light and is the smallest i've seen, 8 or 10 leds Mr. Green
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Villers
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PostPosted: 21:49 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

What does it look like if you were stood up behind the bike instead of crouched?? Just curious if something large, say a truck for example, was behind you would they be able to see the light and more importantly would they be able to see a brake light coming on. That would worry me more than an MOT or it being legal - people behind me not being albel to see me or see me braking! Laughing
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Flip
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PostPosted: 21:53 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kickstart wrote:
Could probably do you for having an LED (non filament bulb) light if they were really picky.


But most modern bikes have rear LEDS these days. Confused
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binge
Emo Kiddy



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PostPosted: 21:59 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

The rear fender does sweep upwards, So you can still see it from standing up behind the bike.
And a Truck shouldn't be so far up my arse that it cant see my tail light really. Laughing

The angle is adjustable, Its on a couple of L shaped bracket I made up, Which are bolted to the frame. So the nuts can be cracked off, Angle moved, and nip the nuts back up.

Reg plate is not illuminate no. It was, But I broke one of the tiny wires for the LED reg plate light, and havnt bothered fitting a new one.
Going to illuminate it though. Thumbs Up

And it does have a red reflector. It is on the Number plate. Thumbs Up



This picture shows the angle the rear fender is at.
Obviously the tail light is still fixed to the rear subframe in this picture. But you can clearly see where it is now mounted.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/binge/DSC00520.jpg
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binge
Emo Kiddy



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PostPosted: 22:00 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh yea, And the LED tail light lense has a (E) Mark on it.
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gaz56
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 22 Oct 2007
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PostPosted: 22:02 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks alright to me. If you got a really anal cop then he might get funny about it, but I can't see it being a problem generally.
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TAX MY BRAIN
Nitrous Nuisance



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PostPosted: 22:02 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

doesnt look so bad from that angle i take it all back Laughing
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Kickstart
The Oracle



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PostPosted: 22:07 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

flip wrote:
But most modern bikes have rear LEDS these days. Confused


Yep, but probably like HID lights where they are not legal under UK rules (as they are not filament bulbs), but are legal as original equipment under EU homologation.

binge wrote:
Oh yea, And the LED tail light lense has a (E) Mark on it.


Doesn't mean it is approved. Lots of odd tricks about E marks (eg, stuff with an E mark on the box where the mark refers to the box being approved).

You need to be able to view the light from 80 degree to each side.

All the best

Keith
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Moonie
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PostPosted: 22:16 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Isn't your dad a copper?

Ask him, would be more helpful to find out whether you're likely to get nicked than whether it's technically illegal.
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binge
Emo Kiddy



Joined: 03 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 23:00 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

My Dad is a copper yes. He isn't a traffic cop though. He doesn't know every little detail about car and bike legalities.

The bike came with an LED strip tail light. Pretty much identical to the one currently fitted.

It can be seen from left and right too. Thumbs Up

Not sure on the angle mind.




Ben
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Kickstart
The Oracle



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PostPosted: 23:03 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

Do you have any indicators? If not they could get you for that as well.

In reality I suspect most traffic coppers do not know the details of lighting regulations, let alone normal coppers.

All the best

Keith
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binge
Emo Kiddy



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PostPosted: 23:11 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

No indicators. But no indicator loom or switch.
Spoke to my local bike MOT station, And Andy, The MOT'er said as long as the switch isnt there, it doesn't need indicators.


I was lead to believe this was just for bikes registered before a set date, or registered as an enduro.

If push comes to shove when the MOT is due, I'll just Daylight MOT it.

I've been offered a nice R1 actually for a nice price too.
All black, With polished frame and white decals.

So the pit bike will become an ornament in my garage until I win the lottery, buy acres of land, And have the pit bike to play on in my garden. Laughing
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Kickstart
The Oracle



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PostPosted: 23:31 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

Legally it needs indicators. Too new, and (I think) nowhere near enough ground clearance to get away with the off road clause.

To be honest I suspect that daytime MOTs are probably dubious. Suspect there is some 1930s legislation that makes lights compulsory.

All the best

Keith
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alun111
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PostPosted: 23:41 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Keith...

Are LED rear lights illegal? Seems to be what you're saying but I might just be getting confused.

Binge... That looks absolutely fine to me... maybe make the light horizonal though... I know it wouldn't look as good but it makes it more viewable.
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Kickstart
The Oracle



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PostPosted: 23:51 - 04 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

alun111 wrote:
Are LED rear lights illegal? Seems to be what you're saying but I might just be getting confused.


As far as I know under UK laws they are not legal. But the UK cannot refuse to recognise European type approval which does allow them. As such it would seem that the likely legal situation is that they are legal as OE equipment but not for aftermarket fitment.

All the best

Keith
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Flip
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PostPosted: 00:07 - 05 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had bikes pass MOT's with aftermarket LED's if that helps.
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virus
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PostPosted: 00:49 - 05 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Binge, are all the mods on that declared on the insurance?

Not having a dig here, just asking, because if not, then a clever cop can nail you, and even if they are declared they could probably think up something regarding numberplates, exhausts etc etc.


Basically, it looks pretty legal so you should be fine, just pray you never get pulled by an arsey cop.

Cheers
John
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.
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binge
Emo Kiddy



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PostPosted: 01:04 - 05 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

None of the Mods are declaired.

Reason:


Pit bikes differ SO much. There is no way of saying "those forks arent standard".


Its like getting a Fiesta Zetec, And taking off the 15" alloys, and changing them for some different 15" Ford Alloys.



Once I put the 150 lump in, I will be sending the V5 off and re-registering it as a 150cc bike, And informing my insurance.




Ben
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alun111
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PostPosted: 01:56 - 05 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kickstart wrote:
alun111 wrote:
Are LED rear lights illegal? Seems to be what you're saying but I might just be getting confused.


As far as I know under UK laws they are not legal. But the UK cannot refuse to recognise European type approval which does allow them. As such it would seem that the likely legal situation is that they are legal as OE equipment but not for aftermarket fitment.

All the best

Keith


Interesting, thanks for clearing that up Thumbs Up
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Kal
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PostPosted: 11:50 - 05 Jan 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote

binge wrote:
No indicators. But no indicator loom or switch.
Spoke to my local bike MOT station, And Andy, The MOT'er said as long as the switch isnt there, it doesn't need indicators.


Not a requirement in the MOT if not fitted you cannot be failed for it, however Construction and Use Regulations are a different kettle of fish.

Most bikes gettting a daylight MOT are legally MOT'd however aren't legally on the road because they are too young to be without lights according to the C&U Regs. If memory serves indicators are compulsory around about 1986.


[quote=Construction and Use 1989]1. Number (on each side of a vehicle)-
(a) A motor vehicle with three or more wheels, not being a motor bicycle combination, first used on or after 1st April 1986:

One front indicator (Category 1, 1a or 1b), one rear indicator (Category 2, 2a or 2b) and one side repeater indicator (Category 5) or, in the case of a motor vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph, one front indicator (Category 1, 1a or 1b) and one rear indicator (Category 2, 2a or 2b).[/quote]
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