Fasttrack Motorcycle MOT Centre

Motorcycle MOT Checks : Fuel & Exhaust Systems

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:12:41 +0000

MOT checks for motorcycle fuel and exhaust systems are divided into just two sections. Please click one of the links below to skip to the section of interest.

exhaust system :: fuel system

Exhaust System

Your bikes exhaust system must be complete and in a good state of repair
All mounts must be present, unbroken and fully support the system

Reasons for your motorcycle exhaust system failing it’s motorcycle MOT

The silencer is marked ‘NOT FOR ROAD USE’
The silencer is marked ‘TRACK USE ONLY’
The exhaust is, in the motorcycle MOT test technicians’s opinion, significantly louder than the standard

Fuel System

Your bike’s entire fuel system must be secure and free from leaks
All mounts must be present, unbroken and fully support the system
The fuel tank cap must be present and fasten securely

Other reasons for your motorcycle’s fuel system failing it’s motorcycle MOT

Deteriorated or missing sealing washer on the fuel tank cap
A leaking fuel tank cap
Any fuel leak which occurs under normal operating conditions of the motorcycle

Motorcycle MOT Checks : Body & Structure

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:48:44 +0000

MOT checks for body and structure on motorcycles are divided into just three sections. Please click one of the links below to skip to the section of interest.

condition of structure :: seats, footrests and transmission :: registration plates and vehicle identification number

Condition of Structure

Straightforward enough. There should be no damage, distortion or corrosion on your motorbike’s frame which is going to affect the way it rides or stops. Fractures and cracks etc will certainly fail the motorcycle MOT and so will any modifications which adversely affect the original frames strength.

Seats, Footrests and Transmission

Rider’s seat and footrests must be present and securely attached
Pillion footrests must be fitted and secure if there is a pillion seat*
Drive chain or belt must be adjusted correctly
The throttle must open and shut as intended
All locking devices, pins and circlips must be present and correctly fitted

Other reasons your motorcycle may fail its MOT test

Excessively worn drive chain, sprocket or sprocket carrier
A damaged or broken clutch lever which prevents normal, and easy, operation

*except in a few rare exceptions which were manufactured for passenger use but don’t appear to have pillion footrests.

Registration Plate and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

A registration plate must be fitted vertically to the rear of your motorbike
It must be secure, clean, complete, in good repair and legible
It must be standard yellow with black writing**
A VIN number must be present on your motorcycle

Reasons for which your registration plate may fail the bike MOT

Badly positioned retaining bolts which may lead to misreading of letters
Non-standard letter forms and widths
Any feature which affects the appearance or legibility of letters
Too small a margin around the letters
All the characters are arranged in a single line

note: this section does not apply to unregistered, foreign, diplomatic or military vehicles and is only applicable to registration plates fitted to the rear of the bike.

**Unless your bike was manufactured before 1973

Motorcycle MOT Checks : Sidecars

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:51:13 +0000

MOT checks for motorcycle sidecars are divided into five sections. Please click one of the links below to skip to the section of interest.

security :: suspension and wheel bearings :: wheel alignment :: lights and reflectors :: brakes

Security of Attachment of Motorcycle Sidecars

Reasons for a sidecar’s attachment failing the motorcycle MOT

The sidecar isn’t securely fitted to the motorcycle
Tight, worn or deteriorated pivots or bushes
Missing, damaged or loose securing devices, bolts, split pins etc

Motorcycle Sidecar Suspension and Wheel Bearings

Reasons for a sidecar’s suspension or wheel bearings failing the motorcycle MOT

Excessively stiff, partially seized suspension
Leaking suspension units
Fouling between fixed and moving parts which affect the movement of the supsension
Insecure suspension units
Loose or missing securing nuts, locking devices or spindle
Excessively rough or tight wheel bearings

Wheel Alignment

Reasons for a sidecar’s wheel alignment failing the motorcycle MOT

Toe-out of the sidecar wheel relative to your motorbike
Excessive toe-in of the sidecar wheel relative to your motorbike
Excessive vertical misalignment which adversely affects the handling of the combination

Motorcycle Sidecar Lights and Reflectors

Sidecars must have a white front position light fitted
Sidecars must have a red reflector fitted to the rear nearside pointing squarely to the rear

Motorcycle Sidecar Lights and Reflectors

If fitted, sidecar brakes must reach the standard required in section three of this MOT checklist.

Motorcycle MOT Checks : Tyres And Wheels

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:16:06 +0000

MOT checks for tyres and wheels on motorcycles are divided into just two sections. Please click one of the links below to skip to the section of interest.

tyres :: wheels

Tyres

Tyres must be of suitable type and in good repair
Tyres must be seated correctly in their rims
Tyres must be fitted in accordance with direction indicators on the sidewall
All tyres must be either cross ply or radial, not a mixture
Tread must be clearly visible over the whole tread area
Tread must be at least 1mm deep throughout the circumference and 75% of the width of the tyre*

Other reasons for your tyres failing the motorcycle MOT test

It shows a cut longer than 25mm or 10% of the section width of the tyre that reaches the ply or cord
It shows a bulge, lump or tear caused by partial failure of its structure
It fouls another component of the motorcycle
Ply or cord is exposed
The valve is seriously damaged or misaligned
The tread has been recut

note: the VOSA manual states that the depth of tread is measured “…throughout a continuous circumferential band measuring at least three quarters of the breadth of the tread.” This excludes tie-bars, tread wear indicators and other features designed to “wear out substantially before the rest of the pattern and other minor features.”

*examples of unsuitable tyres: car tyres, motocross tyres, racing tyres, or any tyre stamped with ‘NHS’ or ‘not for highway use’. You must also fit tyres of the correct load and speed rating for the bike and rear tyres must not be used on the front wheel or vice versa.

Mopeds

Bikes with an engine capacity of 50cc or less only need to have clearly visible tread in a continuous band around the whole circumference of the tyre which covers at least 75% of the width without a break.

Metzeler ME22 tyres and the Aprilia AF 50

There’s an exception listed in the VOSA manual which states that a Metzeler 100/80 – 17 52s ME22 may be fitted to the rear wheel of an Aprilia AF 50 if it is put on the opposite way round to the direction indicators.

Wheels

Reasons for your wheels failing the motorcycle MOT test

Inadequate repairs, corrosion, damage or fractures resulting in significant reduction of the wheels strength*
Missing, cracked, loose, bent or severely corroded spokes
Loose or missing bolts or rivets in built-up wheels
An excessively distorted or eccentric bead rim
Loose or missing wheel nuts, studs or bolts
Insecure wheels

note: the maximum allowable lateral run out or buckling is 4mm for steel rims and just 2mm for alloy. The maximum allowable eccentricity of any wheel is 3mm.

*wheel strength: the decision to fail a wheel due to a reduction in strength is at the motorcycle MOT test technician’s discretion as to whether they feel it is rendered unsafe or not.

Motorcycle MOT Checks : Brakes

admin — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:05:11 +0000

MOT checks for motorcycle brakes are divided into three sections. Please click on a link below to skip to the section of interest.

brake controls :: brake systems :: brake performance

Brake Controls

Motorbike breaking systems must have two methods of operation fitted and functioning
All controls, mountings and fastenings must be secure and in good repair
All pivots must be within reasonable levels of wear tolerance
All controls must be easy to apply and have adequate reserve travel on application
Hydraulic systems must not creep* under load or feel spongy when applied

*creep: Fully depress you break lever and hold it firm. If, over time, its resistance grows less and it slowly allows you to add more and more pressure, this is called creep. It most likely means you have a leak somewhere in the hydraulic system of that brake.

Modifications

The VOSA handbook says that an MOT certificate should be refused if any ‘deliberate modification’ has significantly reduced the original strength of a load bearing member or it’s supporting structure.

Pre-1927 Motorcycles

Motorcycles which were first registered before 1st January 1927 only need to have a braking system which works on one wheel, not both.

Brake Systems

All security or locking devices such as split pins, lock nuts etc must be present and secure
Standard brake pads or linings must be at least 1.5mm proud of their backing plates
Sintered brake pads or linings must be at least 1mm proud of their backing plates
Hydraulic reservoirs must be securely mounted, capped and sealed
Hydraulic reservoirs must have sufficient fluid in them

Other reasons for brake systems failing the motorcycle MOT

Excessively worn, corroded, cracked or in any other way damaged cables, levers, rods and linkages
Insecure or cracked drums or discs and missing securing bolts
Too much free play on levers through wear or poor adjustment
Contamination of brake pads by oil or grease
Insecure backing plates, reaction brackets or calipers
Leaking master cylinders or brake pipes/hoses
Brake pipes which can be easily fouled or trapped by other moving parts of the motorcycle
Inadequately supported rigid pipes/hoses
Excessively chafed, twisted or kinked brake pipes/hoses
Disc scoring, pitting or wear
Excessive brake disc run out* or distortion

*run out: whilst the bike is moving very lightly apply each of the brakes in turn and slowly increase pressure. If you can feel a slight pulsing whilst doing this, that is run out. It is caused by warped or uneven wear in your motorbike’s discs.

note on brake hoses: damage to the protective sleeves of brake hoses will not necessarily fail the bike MOT provided the pipe or hose to which it is attached is not damaged. Cracking or chafing must be severe enough to expose the hose reinforcement to be considered a fail.

note on movement of discs: many discs fitted to modern sports motorcycles are ‘fully floating’ which means they are designed to have a certain degree of movement. If in doubt consult a qualified motorcycle MOT test technician, do not assume that some movement in your disk is an MOT fail. The tester may, at his discretion, take your bike for a brief road test.

Brake Performance

Reasons for your motorbike’s brake performance failing the MOT

Sticking or binding brakes
Severe grab or judder
Braking effort which is inconsistent with the amount or pressure applied at the lever
Excessive fluctuation of brake effort when steady pressure us applied
At least one brake must achieve 30% efficiency* with the other at least 25%

*efficiency is calculated by the motorcycle MOT computer system using this formula:

Efficiency (%) = (Retarding Force ÷ Weight) x 100

The total retarding force is measured using either a VOSA approved brake tester and Weight is the combined weight of the motorbike plus motorcycle MOT test technician. In the case of linked or dual braking systems the retarding force is the total from both wheels when operated by the dual control only.

Motorcycle MOT Checks : Steering & Suspension

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:14:52 +0000

MOT checks for steering & suspension on motorcycles are divided into five sections. Please click on a link below to skip to the section of interest.

steering controls :: steering system :: front suspension and wheel bearings :: rear suspension and wheel bearings :: wheel alignment

Steering Controls

The bikes handlebars, grips,clamps and yokes must be completely secure
Forks, handlebars and yokes cannot be deformed, fractured, cracked or excessively corroded
Flexible handlebar mountings cannot be excessively deteriorated
One switch must operate both lights
Steering dampers must be correctly fitted and not impede control of your motorbike
Any fairing or leg shield fitted should not impede the steering
Steering lock stops must be fitted, correctly adjusted and effective

With front wheel clear of the ground turn the steering from lock to lock. There should be:

no fouling between any moving and fixed part of your motorcycle
sufficient clearance for the handlebar grips to be properly grasped and controls operated
no restrictions to movement of the bars caused by cables becoming taught, trapped or caught
no significant change in engine speed

Steering System

There should be no tightness or roughness when your motorcycles handlebars are turned lock to lock. Also, there shouldn’t be excessive free play or movement in the steering head bearings or steering linkage. You can check this by applying the front brake and gently pushing the handlebars forward then backward or ideally by applying pressure to the front wheel whilst it is raised in the air as someone else holds the brake on for you. This way you can visually tell if any movement you may feel is actually as a result of movement in the forks.

note: excessively stiff steering can be caused by a defective or badly adjusted steering damper in which case it is down to the motorcycle MOT test technician’s discretion to test ride your bike to establish whether stability or control is adversely affected. They may also adjust the damper within tolerance if adjustment is possible. You will be informed of this when you receive your test results.

Front Suspension and Wheel Bearings

The front suspension components must all be securely fitted and in a good state of repair
There shouldn’t be excessive wear or free play in any component
Suspension springs cannot be loose, cracked, fractured or so badly corroded that their structure is seriously weakened
Suspension springs cannot be repaired by welding
All wheel spindles, locking nuts and other locking devices must be secure
Shock absorbers must not leak
There should be no tightness or roughness when the wheels are turned
Mudguards must be securely fitted especially if they form part of the fork bracing assembly
Load bearing components cannot be loose, excessively corroded, distorted or poorly repaired

note: light misting or some pitting on a fork stanchion are not reasons enough on their own for a motorbike to fail unless this has caused damage to the damper seals. The motorcycle MOT test technician may pull back any rubber gaitors etc to conduct the examination if it’s possible without dismantling but they *must* correctly refit them afterwards.

The MOT requires that the damping be checked which can easily be done by applying the front brake and depressing the suspension as far as you are able several times. The forks should not be stiff and nor should they bounce up and down, just react to the pressure you are applying. Any fouling between fixed and moving parts which affects the movement of the suspension would fail the bike’s MOT.

Modifications

Rear Suspension and Wheel Bearings

The rear suspension components must all be securely fitted and in a good state of repair
There shouldn’t be excessive wear or free play in any component
Suspension springs cannot be loose, cracked, fractured or so badly corroded that their structure is seriously weakened
Suspension springs cannot be repaired by welding
All wheel spindles, locking nuts and other locking devices must be secure
Shock absorbers must not leak
There should be no tightness or roughness when the wheels are turned
Load bearing components cannot be loose, excessively corroded, distorted or poorly repaired
Pivots cannot be seized, excessively worn or insecure

note: if you have twin shocks on your motorbike they should be equally adjusted at either side. If they are not the motorcycle MOT test technician will issue an advisory to this effect.

The MOT requires that the damping be checked which can easily be done by sitting on your bike and depressing the suspension as far as you are able several times. The shocks should not be stiff and nor should they bounce up and down, just react to the pressure you are applying. Any fouling between fixed and moving parts which affects the movement of the suspension would fail the bike’s MOT.

Wheel Alignment

With the front wheel held upright and inline with your motorcycle’s frame – using either a wheel clamp or another person – place a straight edge or cord against the rear tyre, parallel to it and as high off the ground as the bike’s permanent fixtures will allow. By sighting along this edge you will be able to see if both wheels are inline with each other and your motorcycle’s frame and also check if they are centrally aligned and not offset in any way. (An example of ‘offset’ would be if you put both spacers on one side of the rear wheel instead of one on either side.)

Motorcycle MOT Checks : Lights And Signals

admin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:11:49 +0000

MOT checks for lights and signals on motorcycles are divided into seven sections. Please click on a link below to skip to the section of interest.

front and rear position lamps :: headlamps :: stop lamps :: rear reflectors :: indicators :: headlamp aim :: audible warnings

Front and Rear Position Lamps on a Motorcycle

note: the front position light, or sidelight, is considered separate from the motorcycle’s headlight and at least 50% of all light sources within a lamp must function. If lamps are obscured by other parts of the bike they will fail.

The front light must emit a white light unless it is within a yellow headlamp and the rear must always be red
Both lights must illuminate immediately once the switch is pressed, be securely mounted and not flicker when tapped
The switch must also be securely mounted and again, tapping shouldn’t affect the lights
One switch must operate both lights

Daylight MOT

If a motorbike has no lights at all, or they are taped, painted or permanently disconnected so as to emit no light whatsoever you can still get an MOT pass but you will receive an advisory note stating that the bike should only be used during the hours of daylight and not during times of seriously reduced visibility.

Fog Lights

The motorcycle MOT does not cover rear fog lights or amber lights within the indicator lens of your bike.

Motorcycle Headlamps

Your motorbike’s headlamp must emit either yellow or white light
It must light immediately the switch is pressed
It should not be adversely affected by any other lamp or the horn
It must not flicker when tapped or when the switch is tapped
Both headlight and switch must be securely attached to the motorcycle.

Twin headlights

Only one or both headlamps need to illuminate for either dipped or main beam and they must be mounted one on top of the other or symmetrically and no more than 200mm apart.

Mopeds

For the purposes of the MOT mopeds are only required to have a functioning dipped beam.

Pre-1931 Motorcycles

If your bike was built before 1 January 1931 it doesn’t need a headlight at all but if there is one it must function correctly.

Motorcycle Stop Lamps

Your motorbike’s stop lamp must emit only a steady red light
It must light immediately once the switch(es) is pressed and switch off when released
It should not be adversely affected by any other lamp
It must be securely attached to the bike and not flicker when tapped
Both brakes must operate the stop lamp unless the the was manufactured with only one switch

Slow Vehicles & Mopeds

Bikes which cannot exceed 25mph do not have to have a stop lamp fitted nor do mopeds which were first registered before 1 April 1986 but if fitted they must function correctly.

Rear Reflectors on Motorcycles

Your bike must be fitted with one unobscured red reflector
It must be securely fitted and reflect squarely to the rear
It must be positioned along the motorcycles longitudinal centre line

Extra Reflectors and Tape

Only one reflector is required for the MOT but your bike will not fail for having more. Unfortunately reflective tape is not considered satisfactory.

Motorcycle Indicators

Indicators must be fitted to a motorcycle and emit only orange light
They must flash on and off, not just dim and brighten
They must flash between 60 and 120 times per minute
They must be visible when riding or have a functioning idiot light
They must be securely fitted and so must the switch
They must not be adversely affected by the operation of another lamp or the horn

Slow and Off-Road Vehicles

Bikes which cannot exceed 30mph or off-road bikes designed to carry just the rider do not need indicators but if fitted they must function correctly.

Motorcycle Headlamp Aim

note: a specialist piece of equipment is needed to correctly check the aim of your motorbikes headlight but if you follow the guidelines below we would be happy to make minor adjustments if necessary free of charge.

A motorcycle headlight should point directly forward and slightly downwards
The dipped beam must kick-up to the offside of the bike

Motorcycle Horn

Your bike must be fitted with a working continuous tone horn or horns
It must be loud enough to be heard by other road users
It must not make a harsh or grating noise
It must be easily operable whilst riding

front and rear position lamps :: headlamps :: stop lamps :: rear reflectors :: indicators :: headlamp aim :: audible warnings

Motorcycle MOT Checklist

admin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:20:39 +0000

Below is a quick MOT checklist. For more in-depth information about each section of the motorcycle MOT just click on the titles or the relevant area on the bike image above.

Lights and Signals : Quick MOT Checks

Make sure all your lights, brake lights and indicators work. You must also display a red reflector to the rear of your bike and have a functioning horn.

Steering and Suspension : Quick MOT Checks

Nothing should prevent the smooth rotation of the moving parts of your bike. This includes badly routed cables and worn head stock or wheel bearings. Forks or rear shocks mustn’t leak and should be firmly attached and filled with the correct amount of oil.

Brakes : Quick MOT Checks

Easy one this. Your bike’s brakes need to work and there should be a decent amount of brake material standing proud of the backing plate. Grooved or worn disks or drums will also fail.

Tyres : Quick MOT Checks

Mopeds must have clearly visible tread on both tyres whilst motorcycles must have at least 1mm. Bulges or cracks in the side wall are not good at all, nor are cuts over 25mm and and everything must be seated correctly.

Side Cars : Quick MOT Checks

If your motorbike has sidecar it must be securely fitted, the tyres and suspension must be up to the standard of the rest of the bike and all three wheels of the combination should point in the same direction.

Body and Structure : Quick MOT Checks

Fairly obviously loose parts or missing engine bolts will do you no favours. Rider footrests must be fitted and secure and if there is a pillion seat there must be a second set as well. Enough corrosion to affect the structure of the motorcycle will fail the MOT too, so check headstocks, swing arms and suspension mounting points etc.

Fuel and Exhaust : Quick MOT Checks

Put simply exhausts which leak or are too loud, or both, will not pass. Nor will anything stamped with ‘not for road use’ or anything which leaks fuel.

note: The annual motorcycle MOT test is simply a thorough check of all the components which are essential to keep your bike roadworthy. If your motorcycle fails this MOT checklist it is almost always because it would be unsafe for you or other road users if the bike were ridden on public roads – with the obvious exception of illegal number plates, which aren’t a danger to anything except your licence and your MOT pass.