Forum

[Duke]

Looks like our Hosts are expanding and opening a Service dept ( see news ) I hope they are going to do MOT tests as well - I had a right game trying to get my 500 Bullet past its last test..modern day testers are just useless around here ( Midlands ) and unless its an electric start pocket plastic rocket they just have no clue, mine argued about the brakes ( as good as they get ) rear cush drive ( brand new ) headlamp alingment ( No - you CANNOT adjust the bloody thing )- its a Royal Enfield man !

[Winkie]

MOT's will always be something of a challenge for anything not considered 'mainstream'. In the past one of the best ways I found to have 'fun' was to try to persuade testers that the wheels of AJS/Matchless bikes were supposed to wiggle a bit at the rims (taper roller bearings) and always had to take an owner's manual and workshop manual to prove my point. Even then I don't think that some of them were convinced...
I don't know where in the Midlands you are but I can recommend an excellent MOT centre in Wolverhampton - the guys there are actually proper mechanics rather than technicians, and are pleasant folk to deal with.

[Alan R]

Hi guys-------- The main man at Wylie & Holland here in Telford is a time-served chap from "our period" and knows his stuff !! PS}--- They're moving premises on the 1st MAY....

[grunda 12]

i wonder if allan wants to install a bar it could be like a clubhouse /ace cafe type place open all week have a brew buy yer spares good day out possibly now theres an idea atb paul.

[MadMike]

MOT Tests. Try taking a Commando for a test with one of the uninitiated, and yes they are out there. Wait for him to smile and the do the sucking through the teeth. Then to tell you that "sadly" he is going to have to fail your bike because of the excessive movement in the swinging arm.You then have to look concerned and tell him that if he does then you will report him to VOSA for his total incpmpetence in not "noticing" that the swinging arm is actually located on the rear gearbox/engine plate which of course is designed to flex on its Isolastic mountings. Then you have to go through the motions of demonstrating what happens if you apply lateral pressure and thus movement to the rear wheel at the furthest possible distance fron the swinging arm. It gets them every time. Also you can get a lot of pressure when they want to start the thing to check if the exhaust leaks. They simply cannot figure out how to kick start a Commando, particularly if it still has a Combat engine. I always have to them if I can do the kicky bit, as I understand that once they have started the test, the rider is technically not supposed to touch the bike. Lots of fun to be had with MOT's.

[simon]

They have to have a full bike license themselves to do a Warrant of Fitness ( as it is known down here) but sometimes that is all they have. I remember with some amusement when I took the old 50's Bullet in for its first test after a long period of deregistration. The test is a more strict compliance one if the registration has lapsed. The young chap doing the test was happy enough until he tried the front brake. He said to his gaffer "this thing is lethal" and his gaffer said " don't worry Son it's British". He shook his head in disbelief and wrote out the warrant. I've found an excellent spot to get my warrants now. A whole bunch of older chaps with Triumphs and Velos who understand the limitations of the technology. Also they take my word if they find a fault and I tell,them I'll sort it.

[Chevy]

About time! All that knowledge and expertise can be put to good use. Will it be just Enfields and will they do virtually anything from a full rebuild to fitting parts from the catalogue? There is a hole in the market which will be filled nicely.



A bar sounds a good idea and I will be first to apply for the job of barman but maybe a tea or cofee machine may be more likely.

[Phil Ashbrook]

What do you mean it failed on the lights ! I only fitted brand new wicks yesterday .

[MadMike]

Arthur how did he argue about your brakes? They simply put one wheel of the bike on the rolling road and it weighs bike and rider and then test braking efficiency. Then they repeat for the other wheel. The pass rate is so low that even a 30's bike can pass. Indeed I reckon a push bike could probably pass

[stephen]

I have an excellent man of the old school in Cross Roads Keighley. His only complaint when I was there a week or so ago (yes, AD02 passed with flying colours) was that with the new pre 1960 exemption he wont see his old mates on an annual basis like before. So if you have a pre 1960 bike don't forget your favourite tester - go and see him (or her) once in a while!