Battery required for MOT?

[robocog]

Hi
Building up a CG125 as a minimalistic commuter
I am not planning on using a battery (unless I HAVE to)

A quick search through the UK MOT docs I have found online seem to suggest that horn, indicators and lights do not have to work with ignition off if the machine does not have a battery or the battery charge is insufficient whist engine is stationary -
and the test should be done with engine running and is not a problem if they work with engine running

HOWEVER have since spotted this snippet

"On vehicles fitted with dim-dip headlamp systems, the front position lamps must be checked for operation with the ignition switched off. This may involve the operation of a separate switch."

Bike only has kick start, so no reason to have a battery to get it going, seemingly not a reason for MOT fail for horn or indicators, but the above does make me wonder if its going to cause trouble..
but then my other CG doesn't light up with ignition off and believe many other bikes do the same, so maybe not an issue ?

Regards
Rob

Edited title as it was a bit vague!

[bikedemon99]

ask at the garage, dont think it does need a battery but itsextremely dangerous if your commuting in winter its dark your in the middle of the road waiting to turn right off the main road thats unlit, your headlamp is dim, your indicators are weak and your hoping that the cars fleeing up behind you can see you, I know cause Ive been that biker shitting myself waiting for the thump, good luck
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Ride safe

[stinkwheel]

As you said, the headlamp on a normal CG125 doesn't work with the ignition off, even if there is a battery fitted.

I think the test you're looking at is for the "parking" switch fitted to some bikes (an extra position on the ignition switch just past off. Designed primarily to trick bikers into parking their bike with the lights on so the battery is flat when they come back to it). If it isn't fitted, they can't test it.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Alexio]

Batteries really aren't that expensive and on such a small bike they normally have no problems even when not in use for quite long periods. You'll probably manage to find somewhere that will pass the MOT on it but you'll likely have to ask different garages until you find one that will be thinking along the same lines as you. So really you should be asking around. Just my opinion though.
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will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?

[Bishbash]

[stinkwheel]

It's not something that is down to the oppinion of the tester. There are motorbikes which were made, brand new without a battery. They were type approved, official imports which conform fully to construction and use regulations.

Therefore it cannot be an MOT test requirement to have a battery fitted or for certain lights to work with the ignition off.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[boundy]

my crm 250 doen't use a battery

[.Chris.]

You'll be fine - none of the main lights on the RXS100 work without the engine running (even though it does have a battery). If worst comes to the worst you can always tape up all the lights and switches, put it through an MOT and then re-fit them.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Dibble]

[virus]

I assume you still have a battery?

In which case do not remove it, the amount of hassle it will take to find a capacitor suitable to replace it at such a level that your lights still work its not worth removing, without a battery/cap everything will dim when your revs go down or more lights go on, and a MOT man will find that unsafe.


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.

[robocog]

Ok cheers for all the replies
Will ask the place that will eventually do the MOT
I am not at the MOT stage yet, but its now a rolling chassis and engine is hopefully going in tomorrow...so sorting some kind of simple loom will be next on the list and will have to have some sort of plan of attack as to what is needed

Stinkwheel
I see what you mean about the park lights, I don't recall either of my CG's having the extra key position just on or off- but the CJ360 does have an extra one (one click after the ignition that cuts ignition and allows the key to be removed and flatten battery by magically putting park lights on)
so perhaps that is what is meant by the paragraph I posted and I have read something into it I shouldn't have -
their wording is a bit ambiguous

The only differences between the CG I have on the road to this one is the indicators,horn and possibly brake light without engine physically running (but key in run position) so as the wording allows for this I can't see it really being an issue, but I will check prior to MOT as I suppose I could fit a battery in the seathump, but was reserving that space for transportation of lunchtime sandwiches and the like
(the area that once housed the battery would ideally be left open - bar the air filter)

Its not the cost of the battery (I even have one for it that seems OK)
Could just do without the added weight-that would only in reality get used to tell me I'm in neutral prior to kicking it over (I think 'rock the bike first' or simply pulling the clutch in will allow me to kick-start in gear on this engine?...it doesn't on the CJ which struck me as odd!)
I want all 10Hp to go as far as possible (without it becoming a wallet emptying excersize!)

My CG that is on the road (with a charged battery) suffers from low RPM headlight dimness, but fine when above tick over
think they all do that don't they?
as it runs direct from the genny , not the battery?

fairly sure if mine stalls the headlight goes off completely, despite having a battery
Indicators and horn and neutral light and IIRC brake light are the only things that /seem/ to be running from the battery on the "good one"..perhaps this is not wired right but has just 'got away with it'?
(not studied and digested the wiring diagram yet)

Once again cheers for all the replies
Will ask the local MOT places to see what their views are on it and base who I take it to depending on what they answer

Hoping it will turn out to be a locost,lightweight and fun commuting toy which will easily break the 100mpg and raise a giggle

Regards
Rob

[andyscooter]

my 2007 majestys lights wont work until engine running

theres nokick start anyway but it was built like that and has been for about ten years so they cant fail it for that
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[stinkwheel]