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Question: 1980 motorcycle mot laws?

(Posted by: jules on 2010-02-08 12:45:06)

Hi i am part way through building a harley chop, and am wondering if i need a front fender and baffles in the exhaust, i know that i don't need indicators, does anybody know where i can get what a 1980 bike requires for mot, thanks in advance

Posted by: Philip P on 2010-02-09, 01:51:07

JULES for an MOT the basics required are that the following IF FITTED need to be working. lights ( optional for a day time MOT) suspension (optional if it is a rigid) Speedo ( not a requirement but if fitted MUST WORK inc the odometer) LEGALLY required Road legal TYRES Road legal EXHAUST a Constant HORN SADDLE FOOTRESTS for the rider ( if a dual saddle is fitted then footpegs for pillion required) Mudguards (can be short and vestigial) Chain guard BRAKES working and functional WHAT YOU DON'T NEED FOR AN MOT is an ENGINE!!!!! seriously if you read the letter of the law nothing says the engine has to be present. I've actually seen rolling frames taken in for an MOT so that one can be given and the bike insured and Taxed before it is even finished such that the bike can literaly be ridden out of the garage ( or show) on to the road once finished.. The basics are that if there is any space large enough to get a tennis ball into between mechanical moving parts it will fail, so if you intend to go fender less you will need the minimum of a fork brace over the front wheel preventing anything getting trapped between the wheel or frame. On scooters you do not have to fit front mudguards if the body work extends over the wheel enough to prevent entrapment

Posted by: andrew on 2010-02-08, 12:53:00

Think you would need some form of front mud guard as for baffles its all down to the testers discretion

Posted by: fred405 on 2010-02-08, 13:09:48

You should be able to get the info from the VOSA website or go to a local MOT site and ask the tester for some help

Posted by: keni on 2010-02-08, 13:41:31

You could get a copy of the "Construction and Use " regulations, but don't bother. you need a front fender the exhaust needs baffles + chainguard, illumination for the numberplate at night, also rear lamp with a reflector area I think. if you have a new frame, it is not just the MOT you will need. I had to take my bike to a licencing centre for them to verify the frame number before they would give me a logbook.

Posted by: James on 2010-02-08, 16:53:39

You will need whatever was legally required on the bike from which you are using the frame. 1980? Baffles, front & rear fenders, front & rear brakes, chain guard, turn signals, speedometer, neutral light, horn, headlight, tail light, brake light, license plate light, at least one mirror.

Posted by: fivetoze on 2010-02-08, 20:05:36

Americans dont have mots, so i guess youre in england or one of the colonies... your chop needs a front muddy... take it off afterwards by all means, but it needs one. it also needs a brake light. (off just one switch will do) it needs a horn (like your going to hear it over some decent pipes) the pipes need to be "reasonable " you can get away with loud... you cant get away with open.. or tiny jocj strap number plates either.. yu can bbuilt it to any spec, and get an MOT on it... getting away with it, when plods got you by the balls at 3am..is another matter. it also needs a speedo... i know a few harley owners who keep two sets of pipes... and its not against the law to change them... but it doesnt stop em nicking you either. if you want a definitive answer as at the police station for the construction and use regs... then you can read em, like i had to...

Posted by: slimcolo on 2010-02-09, 16:11:42

The only EQ required by law (in SD)are: one brake (can be either wheel) Head lite (Hi and Lo beams) Horn or bell (can be bicycle squeeze horn) spark arrestor (mufflers not needed for registration) Tail light Brake light (if after 1941) Seat is not required but footpegs are. Fenders none (front or rear) required I have registered 3 custom bikes in the last four years (SD) and the only thing they ever actually inspected was the VIN numbers and paperwork.

Posted by: ANDY on 2010-02-11, 23:38:38

Hello Front mudguard required Depends on the decibel's as to if Baffles are required Indicators will be required if they were fitted as standard on the donor bike It must meet all today's MOT requirements regardless of when it was built. Andy C

Posted by: Pupp on 2010-02-12, 05:41:22

You don't NEED a front fender, but you will need some baffles in the exhaust to make it not exceed 95dB or thereabouts. If you can find a friendly bike mechanic, he can check it over before MOT for you to point out anything it might need. When I built a streetfightered ZZR1100, i finished it, took it for MOT and the guy wouldn't submit it for the test as it has a kink in the braided brake hoses. I asked him to just replace them, he dd so and MOTd it, and only charged about £10 to do the job.