MOT Passable (body work)?

[J.M.]

edit:
for anyone interested, how I've fixed the chain guard is in my last post.

original
Hey everyone,
I've got my first MOT (not the bike's) coming up at the end of November (yes I know it's a while away). I just want to make sure that I've got absolutely no problems with the bike before I take it there because, well, I don't exactly have the cash to throw at a re-test that I could have saved myself from.

Mechanically the bike feels great, and I'm not worried about that, and the tires still have more than enough tread, but there are a few places on the bodywork that I'm slightly concerned about - so I'd really appreciate if someone could comment whether they're okay or not.
I'm attaching the images to this post, but I'll describe them here:

IMAG0049.JPG
This is the chain guard (if that's it's name). The damage was done before I purchased the bike but I've had a bit of Gather tape holding it together without problems - I took it off for the photo.

IMAG0050.JPG
Again, damage done before I bought the bike. The fairing is secure - I'm just not sure whether having a zip-tie there will cause a fail or not?

IMAG0051.JPG
The same situation here, damage done before I bought the bike - so the same zip-tie question.
The other part, if you've got a keen eye, is the indicator. I had a fall small off back in April at low speed and caused the crack you see left of the zip-tie and broke the indicator off. I repaired the indicator and tested it, it all works fine, and the solder is covered by waterproof electrical tape. Because the indicator snapped off, it's held together by the Gather tape. It's secure, there's no play in it, and it all works fine which I can tell you because I've been riding this bike everyday since the repair with no problems (even in heavy rain).

The only other 2 slight things:
The full beam button sometimes sticks - The neutral light doesn't work (I've replaced the bulb and checked the fuses).

So what's everyone's thoughts. Should this pass, or do I need to start searching my pocket with a magnifying glass?

Cheers![/b]
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Bodywork's not an issue provided it's not hanging off.

Chain guards possibly an advisory, nothing more than that.
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[J.M.]

Nope, nothing's hanging off at all. Everything feels secure to me as well. I just tend to worry, so I wasn't sure if bodywork being like it is would fail me.
Just asking early because if it is, I need to account for it now so I can afford to buy them before the test!

Thanks for your answer
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Bezzer]

Neutral light doesn't matter but a sticking main beam would fail the MOT. Take the switch off clean it with contact cleaner and see what's catching/sticking before you have it MOT'd.
Have a look at the chainguard they always stamp the type of plastic on them, it'll be on the inside somewhere. If it's ABS or uPVC types you can use solvent weld on it to stick it together so you'd hardly know. If it's a poly type then it's a two part epoxy type adhesive you'd need.
The more you do to make it presentable the better the tester will feel about it, all the little issues together would ring alarm bells and make him really look it over passing nothing up.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[J.M.]

Okay thanks,

I was thinking I'd have to purchase a new chain guard, but I'll check out the plastic to see if it's repairable like you say - that would be good to do even if it's not needed.

Right okay. The high beam has never really been an issue for me as 99% of my riding is done while it's bright out - the rest of the time I just use my thumb to hold it in so it's at a point where it's on - but not clicked.
But fixing it was always a priority to do. Is it a tricky job at all? I ask because I don't want to risk causing damage to the likes of the horn/indicators.

Cheers
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Bezzer]

Bike switches are usually very simple things but fiddly, just take it off and have a look inside, hopefully the main beam switch part is easily accesible so you can check it out.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[J.M.]

Alright cheers I'll hopefully get chance to take it off tomorrow and give it a look.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[stinkwheel]

Bodywork is fine, unless it can foul a moving part or has sharp, sticky-out bits that could injure someone.

The chain guard might fail because it can foul the chain. I'd glue it up for the test.

First off with your switch, I'd scoosh loads of WD40 into it and switch it on and off a good few times. This alone will normally fix a gummed up switch.
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[J.M.]

Okay then, I think I'm safe with the body work because I haven't found any bits which seem dangerous at all to me - and I've been riding it about 4 months now.

Would gluing it up pass an MOT though, surely if they tugged it at all it could give way again?

Thanks, I'll give that a shot before I take it apart!
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[stinkwheel]

[el_oso]

gluing it may prove to be difficult. i would put two strips of aluminum across the join and bolt them together

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/fixing.png
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[J.M.]

Right then, looks like I've got some methods to try with repairing the chain guard - I'll see what bits and pieces I can find later one (once the weather cheers up a bit) and then decide what to do.
One thing I was thinking though - a bit of plastic on the inside and then use a soldering iron to melt it all together?

I guess that I'll probably try the melting/gluing first, then if that's to no avail I'll try the aluminium across it with the bolts.

Also I'd just like to note that I've managed to get the full-beam button not sticking any more by using a bit of WD40 on it - took a while but it's working just great now
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[jimbothe]

Tie wraps for the win. Bodge tools of the gods.

https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/jgillard/IMAG0049.jpg
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[chris-red]

[Bezzer]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[jimbothe]

It's still going to be tidier than flapping around and it will at least look like he has acknowledged the problem and has tried to do a efficient temporary repair.



Excuse me while I go and lie down after using all those big words.
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[Bezzer]

[jimbothe]

Sometimes it's the bikes that look like a pile of shite that knock spots off the bikes that look mint.

I've had my fair share of 'shitters' that have sailed through mot's.

I would think a chap who has taken the time to notice and repair a broken lug or fairing, however it has been done would not miss much mechanically, whereas a guy who does nowt but constantly clean and pretty up his bike 'can' be the complete opposite and miss such things as dodgy electrics and worn bushes / bearings etc.

Just saying, don't judge a book by it's cover as it doesn't always make for good reading.
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[J.M.]

I'd like to stray away from those zip-ties if possible - don't want too many on there for the MOT as already mentioned
I guess I'll try and to a tidy repair first, if that fails it's a flip between the zip-tie / aluminium methods!

Ideally I'd love to get the bike looking mint, but I feel that getting my test out of the way is really the more important thing - it's already been 4 months!

I don't personally feel that there's anything else wrong with the bike at all other than mentioned - so I'm hoping to be a happy chappy when I have to take the dreaded ride over there
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[st3v3]

Nothing wrong with Bostic and cable ties...

Stinkwheels' first post was exactly my input here, but he bet me.

Btw, Gaffa tape, is gaffa. What's Gather tape?
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[J.M.]

Right you are, just cautious about using too many! If there is such a thing

Ah yes, Gaffer, I'm sorry - I've never seen the word written down before
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[J.M.]

For anyone interested - this is the chain guard after my attempt to fix it!
Sturdy as the rest of the chain guard, just not quite as.. elegant.

I managed to find some similar material and just grabbed my soldering iron. Melted the extra material into the join and then mucked up the top, bottom and sides a bit to mix the material from either side of the break in with the new material to make a solid join.
Then, if you can tell, I tried to make it a tad tidier with sandpaper - but it didn't really do much!

Either way, I don't think that should be breaking again - and it looks more tidy in my opinion
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[jimbothe]

It's done the job mate thats the main thing.

If you can be arsed to tidy it up more then use a blow lamp and move it over the area making sure not to leave it in one place too long and simply smooth it over with a wet finger. Works a treat.
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[J.M.]