Indicators & MOT's

[Suntan Sid]

My project bike is a 1982 bike, AIUI bikes manufactured before 1986 do not require indicators.
I have no intention of fitting indicators, but the bike was originally fitted with them, so what do I need to do with the switch?
Do I need to blank it off, remove the switch, or just leave it?
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Rogerborg]

I don't want to be that guy, but why not ask your friendly local MOT tester what he'll actually accept? It'll come down to his whim on the day.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[UncleFester]

AIUI .....

If it is fitted, then it must work.

If it is not fitted ( and is not legally req'd) then it cannot be tested as it is not present and is therefore not a fail.

As above though, why not ask the local MOT station.
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2017 Z1000SX

[dansp1]

https://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m1s01000501.htm

doesn't need them, easy enough to open the switch up and remove the indicator switch

[Suntan Sid]

[WD Forte]

Can't speak for other places but have taken similar aged bikes
( rats usually) to my MOT guy with indicators removed but switch intact
and got an MOT no bother.
Not even mentioned.
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bikers smell of wee

[Triton Thrasher]

[P.]

Cover the switch in gaffer tape. Remove after.

[WD Forte]

Quote from MOTUK


"If direction indicators are fitted they must meet the requirements of this inspection, but need not be fitted to a machine which:
. cannot exceed 30mph / 50kph, or
. was first used before 1 August 1986, or........."

I take this to mean if they are fitted they must work but don't have to be fitted on a pre 86 bike.
No switches mentioned so I'd leave them alone

Source

https://www.motuk.co.uk/mcmanual_150.htm
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bikers smell of wee

[dansp1]

[P.]

My KTM and my SV have no indicators. Both passed MOT's.

My monkey bike had the switches taped over, passed.

Same with forks, can't fail for leaks if leaks aren't visible

[dansp1]

Could any of those bikes be covered by the "information" or "exemptions" on my link?
Or do you just have a tame tester?

[P.]

[Monkeywrenche...]

Well actually if an item should be tested but can't be (locked fuel cap so can't look at the rubber seal for example) then the whole test has to be abandoned.

If you have an advisory with "items not tested" specifically listed then your tester is running some risks with his testing authority, tell him he's better off just ignoring them. at least then he hasn't supplied signed evidence of his "mistakes"

As far as the OPs question, the lamps themselves are the thing we're looking, for switches aren't important, unless the lamp is there but not a switch obviously, because that's definitely a fail.

[P.]

[dansp1]

https://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m1s01000101.htm

theres the get out for no lights at the top


https://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m1s07000201.htm

https://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m1i00000402.htm

those 2 combined are the reason for refusal to test

[Monkeywrenche...]

if the lights are covered,painted or masked then they shouldn't be tested, that's the difference...

as for the source, I'm a tester who runs a class 4 test station (although i have tested 1,2 and 5) and has access to the up to date manuals as well as a constant stream of revisions of opinion.

The rules governing "refusal to test" are in the "MOT testing guide" appendix 3 (part g) this is not the same as the inspection manual as it covers the system as a whole and not the test itself which are class specific. the refusal can and should happen at anytime although proper pre-checks will prevent starting a test on an untestable vehicle.