classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: bown on March 11, 2007, 03:54:05 AM

Title: speedo
Post by: bown on March 11, 2007, 03:54:05 AM

do we need to fit a speedo for a mot . the bike was registered  in 1952 and is a bown 98cc lightweight.

Title: Re: speedo
Post by: TBS on March 11, 2007, 03:52:13 PM

I checked yesterday with my MOT guy as I'm restoring a '67 T120TT which only has a rev counter, and he said that's fine not to have a speedo, however watch the Gatso's !! Could be a good idea for peace of mind to fit an electric one from a cycle shop like Halfords, quite small and very accurate when set up, easy to do.

Title: Re: speedo
Post by: BEAMA on March 13, 2007, 05:11:53 AM

Speedometers became compulsory for all motor vehicles in 1935. I dont know of any mot tester that will pass a vehicle without one (or just a tacho)  unless registered before that year. i am not sure about mopeds and the like (i used to have a cycle with an engine fitted on and that didn't have a speedo, but there were no mot tests then !  

Title: Re: speedo
Post by: TBS on March 13, 2007, 06:13:42 AM

My MOT tester says that a speedo is not a requirement for an MOT.

Title: Re: speedo
Post by: L.A.B. on March 13, 2007, 06:59:31 AM

The MOT test is (or was originally) a safety test to establish if the vehicle was reasonably roadworthy at the time of the test and not a test to establish if a vehicle conformed to all aspects of vehicle regulations.

And as far as I know there is no mention regarding the need to check the actual presence or function of a speedometer in MOT testers' manual.
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/mc_contents.htm

Although different MOT testers can have different interpretations of what is acceptable and what isn't. So it would be wise to check with the actual tester beforehand to see if they consider having no speedo fitted being a possible reason for MOT failure.

Many owners of old motorcycles fit a cheap digital bicycle speedo as this generally satisfies any legal requirements as far as the Police are concerned, and most MOT testers would also consider these speedos acceptable I think.

I'm not sure if the was a speedo exemption for motorcycles under 100cc originally? Possibly? (it could have been 50cc?).

Title: Re: speedo
Post by: BEAMA on March 14, 2007, 05:15:56 AM

THE MOT TESTERS MANUAL MAKES INTERESTING READING ! THANKS FOR THAT L.A.B.
REGARDING THE CYCLE SPEEDO'S, I HAVE HAD ONE ON MY VINTAGE BIKE FOR 6 YEARS NOW WITH NO PROBLEMS.IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE. I AGREE THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR SPEED WITH ALL THE CAMERA'S ABOUT. LETS FACE IT, 30 MPH IS WITHIN THE CAPABILITY OF MOST IF NOT ALL MOTOR CYCLES.
AS AN AFTER THOUGHT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU WERE CAUGHT SPEEDING ON A VEHICLE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE, ( OR HAVE) A SPEEDOMETER. HAS ANYONE EVER HAD THIS  HAPPEN TO THEM ?    

Title: Re: speedo
Post by: TBS on March 14, 2007, 04:05:42 PM

I know you would be fined, ignorance of speed is no excuse in the eyes of the law.