MOT fail HELP!

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by Neill, Apr 30, 2021.

  1. Neill

    Neill New Member

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    So MOT failed today.

    Bike is a 99 model and a Belgian import into the UK.

    I took my bike to the Belfast MOT centre today and it was failed because the stock clocks only read MPH (After conversion). Apparently in the UK they must read both MPH and KPH.

    The bikes been in the uk for 10+ years and never failed for this. I might try and appeal it, but before that does anyone else have a similar issue?

    Ideally I'd just want a sticker to go over the glass which reads KPH as well, but I can't find anything suitable on the interwebs.

    So if anyone has a sticker or knows where to get one I'd be most appreciative.

    Cheers

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  2. Simon Edwards

    Simon Edwards New Member

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    Is there only one test center in Belfast? Could you get a second opinion?

    I last heard of this sort of thing happening a very long time ago. Back in the 90's and earlier. But nothing in recent years.

    I guess its more important in Belfast with the neighbours using KPH everywhere.

    Back in the day you would get hold of a handheld label printer, like those Brother jobs that turn up in Costco, Aldi and Lidl these days for £20. Figure out how to print the right size text to at least match or preferably be a fair bit smaller than the MPG speed numerals. Then print 20 40 60 80 and so on all the way through past the legal limit. So from 20 through to 120 in the UK/EIRE, but better go up to 140 to be safe. Also print "KPH" on its own. As long as it has gradiants on the existing dial for the intermediate values you shouldn't need them as well. But they are easy to add if they get even more picky.

    You need to choose an arc on the speedo screen that won't obscure anything important when sat on the bike.

    Then stick these onto the glass at the right sweep of the needle, all in the same arc. With the "kph" just below where "0" would be. Use tweezers to hold them or you won't be able to see where they are going.

    A piece of straight edge cardboard marked for distance from the pivot point will keep them all in a line and at the right locations if its long enough to reach the MPH arc.

    Do this whilst sat on the bike so that it all lines up accurately from the riders' perspective. This is where they should be to test it too.

    Then go back for a re-test.

    That should get you through until next year. Some of them may have fallen off by then.

    I've seen this done for older UK cars or US imports heading to Europe on holiday. Also for a French car that was being used in the UK, although obviously these were stuck on as MPH markings.

    I knew that last driver quite well, I don't think he ever checked any speedo markings of any type. So from a safety perspective the changes were a waste of time. In between gripping the nearest handles and hoping to survive I used to wonder what sort of driving test the French used . It did pass the MOT though.
     
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  3. Neill

    Neill New Member

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    Thanks for the super detailed post, I think I'll look into getting that label printer. Otherwise it's buy a 2nd hand face and pull the dash apart to put it all in and I don't have the skills for that in the short time available.

    It's been in N.Ireland for years now without issue, I normally take it to a centre in Larne and they have never brought it up. They have a bit more of a local vibe so I guess it's the big city folk that are being far pickier.

    I might phone the Larne one before I book a test and see what they say about it. They might be ok to pass it without having to get the daft KPH.

    Seems silly as if I was to go over the boarder then the road worthiness is irrelevant in a different country lol.

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  4. Simon Edwards

    Simon Edwards New Member

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    I wouldn't go pulling anything apart if I didn't need to. There are some clock face overlay printers on the web if you hunt around a bit. They do different colour faces for popular bikes and cars. I have never used them so I don't have any links. I don't expect you'll need one.

    I don't know if you ever head south, but if I were you I would have stuck on 30,50,60,80,100,120 anyway by now. Those are the popular ones I remember from driving over there. Just to save having to do the conversion in my head each time I saw one.


    Please let us know how you get on.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2021
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  5. Waylander

    Waylander New Member

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  6. Neill

    Neill New Member

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    Oh I'll avoid pulling things apart if I can. I've not been south on the bike, and don't have plans to but as you say getting it done can't hurt.

    Just wish it wasn't forced upon me lol.

    I'll have some update by next week I'd assume. Things will be shut for May day but the MOT is due in 2 weeks so I'll want it sorted asap.

    Might look at those ebay stickers too, I'd looked at ebay but didn't see ones as specific as that so cheers guys.

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  7. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    The overlay sticker doesnt need to be vfr specific because 60mph in a car is the same speed as 60mph on a bike. Id stick the cheapest one on for the retest then pull it iff on the way home and wouldnt get a test there again.
    My mot tester is a cool harley dude, he told me to take my exhaust baffle out because V4s sound so good.
     
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  8. Neill

    Neill New Member

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    Yeah I've bid on Ebay for the real deal clock face and rev counter on ebay. Currently at 99p lol. If I win that I'll change it over eventually but for now I'll go down the sticker route.

    A friend of a friend works in a different MoT centre so after the bank holiday he might see what he can do for me in getting it overturned.

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  9. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I have 2 bikes with an overlay, 3 have the faces changed, & the rest have both - I am currently changing the clock face on a spare set of clocks for one of my RVF's.
    All MOT's testers are a little different, If you are happy with your current one then just fit a overlay.
     
  10. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    another way around this is to fit your GPS - as that will have both mph & KPH. It doesn't matter if its removable as it only has to be present at the time of inspection.
     
  11. Neill

    Neill New Member

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    I had thought of the GPS but after speaking to my mechanic he said he's seen a few people failed for trying the same in imported bikes. All since the MoT centres opened up again, he reckons they have been told to be over the top since MoTs weren't done for nearly 2 years in some cases.

    Bit to overzealous this time round I think.

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  12. fink

    fink Member

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  13. Neill

    Neill New Member

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    Thanks fink, but the link refers only to mainland mots. Northern Irish ones are slightly different it seems and they do actually mention kph, daft though if is.

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  14. thefallfan1

    thefallfan1 New Member

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    ive got jap inport kmph i just put 30, 60, 90 mph small stickers on it that does it
     
  15. Neill

    Neill New Member

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    Where are you based Mainland or NI? I appealed it the other day and the manger had said he wants the stickers under the glass to the backlight works in them at night.

    They are forcing my hand to take it all apart really.

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  16. Waylander

    Waylander New Member

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    I would put the stickers on and take it somewhere else

    And if the are clear and white stickers the back light will go though regardless of which side of the glass they are on


    VF1000F2F, in bits
     
  17. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    Surely the stickers are only sticky on the bottom so wont work inside ? ? ?
    Id take it somewhere else but ask the tester beforehand about it.
    Belfast MOT , steer clear of them
     
  18. Neill

    Neill New Member

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    I think he wants them stuck directly to the speedo face, which of anything will make them less visible.

    Yeah it the first time I've ever been there normally I only use Larne but they were booked up 2+ months in advance

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  19. Waylander

    Waylander New Member

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    Bit of a power craze going on there,

    When you sorted I would ask him to prove where they say it has to be on the face of the dial


    VF1000F2F, in bits
     
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  20. fink

    fink Member

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    I think you have someone on a bit of a power trip. Stickers are mostly put on the plastic covers not on the dial faces . That's how it was done with the grey imports. I would try and go elsewhere.
     
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