Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories British MOT test...???

Hi - anyone in the UK tried having an MOT with Speciality Spares long slash cuts? I know the decibel level is up to the individual tester, but how far can I push this? I do have the original pipes, but I don't want the aggro of swapping them if I don't need to. Also, do they test the emissions on bikes for an MOT?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

I don't think they do emission testing on bikes, but the decibel level depends on the tester.
I failed the last one with TOR's fitted (admittedly with one baffle removed ) but then took it to a different tester who passed it without question

I think it would depend on the tester mainly.

It would also help if they know you quite well, as I am sure VOSA do on the spot tests using doctored bikes to make sure that they are complying with the regs!!

As to emissions, no they are not (yet) part of a bike MOT.

(plain old) Nobby

No they don't do emmision test,
They don't start the bike up, so technicaly they can't test for decibels. But you'll always get jobsworth.
TORS are an automatic fail, as there stamped FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY.
My pipes have nothing stamped on them.
Just put it in.

in gibraltar they are bas%$£ds
i took my sporty for MOT
first the bloke i know for more than 20 years said the number plate is at an angle
i said wot so are all those the boss came out and ok'd it
then he got the decibel meter out and at about a foot and a half he told the other guy to throttle it it hit 95db
not satisfied he reset and throttled it again this time 98db
he looked at the plate on the frame and said ok
as he could not fail me on anything he said the rubber damping under the risers were worn so i had to change them
i put teflon ones on and on monday i took it pending this fix
he passed it
customising is not a crime
totally un british totally against EEC rules
i'm having a meeting with the minister in gibraltar to keep the system fair as the inspectors seem to do what they want and do not follow the rules
they think that new laws have to be implimented on all bikes irrellevant of age

Quote:

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TORS are an automatic fail, as there stamped FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY.

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I must have been lucky, not failed with my TOR pipes yet... They're the quieter type but they've still got the 'off road' stamp on them. As Nobby says, depends on the tester and his subjective assessment and also whether he's a jobsworth or not. Still got the originals just in case tho...

Good news on the emission tests, as she pops like a good 'un on deceleration so I know the mix isn't quite right . The pipes make the garage floor shake (which is what I was after when I bought them). I wonder if I should find a Harley specialist - I know of one who will pass just about any noise level. It's the first time I've put a bike through the MOT, so just a bit apprehensive of what they might find!

Thank you for all the replies - a mine of information!

I've taken the 03 to a BMW dealer for an MOT and I got an 'advisory' that it was a little loud... but 4 months previous it was not an issue at the Triumph dealer down here... (the repeat MOT was at request of the insurance after the crash, and the Triumph up there doesn't do MOTs - the BMW one is part of the same group.)

She has the original pipes on... just a little drilled. They are not excessive, in my opinion, and my neighbours don't object.... and that's what matters to me.

I had no problems taking the old america with the drilled TOR's, like already said it is down to the discression of the tester.

I took my late '03 America for test twice with short TORs with removed baffles and the tester didn't even start the bike.
He pushed it into the test area
First year it passed with flying colours, second time it failed on a worn chain which he replaced for me.
Pity I don't live near his garage anymore

grind and polish out the words "not for road use" then its ok.

I found a British website on bike MOT's, which says:

"The decibel level will be assessed at the discretion of the tester, other checks are:

The exhaust mountings must be secure and not fouling any part of the rear suspension
The exhaust must not be holed and free from leaks from both joints and box(es)
Replacements units, other than bikes registered before 01.Jan.1985, must have the BSAU 193 stamp.

The Speciality Spares long slash cuts I have are completely unmarked. They are not stamped 'not for road use', nor are they marked BSAU193. Coming from Texas, I understand why they are not British Standards stamped. Surely the UK government cannot ban all exhausts that are not made in this country? Oh, actually....

You see my quandary? MOT on Monday morning, so we'll see.

Sailed through, didn't even comment on them.
Good to know that I needn't change them around every year.

so now then Rob, is Dent on the forecast to look and investigate everybody else's pipes and mods

I've heard a bit about Dent on here, but I don't really know what it is.

It would be nice to meet up with other owners and, as you say, sniff around other pipes and mods.

Could do July, too... hmmmm

took my t100 bonneville with tor fitted they said ooops but it was to a triumph dealer they just changed them for some normal pipes off a demo bike got a pass