MOT question
 

So, the Northwindmobile is MOT-ed up for another year, thanks to the friendly local garage and their liberal attitude to exhausts. But something came up that I was sort of expecting would...

I removed the sidelight when I did the respray, since it was pretty ugly, and added no light worth mentioning. Now, my read of the MOT regs says, "A motor bicycle (with or without a side car) fitted with a headlamp need not have a front position lamp (but must have one on the side car, if a side car is fitted).". But I was told today that technically, I should have been failed for not having one. As far as I can tell, if it's there it has to work, but if it's not it's not required. Anyone?

I think as long as you have a pilot light which also works a a park light that's all you need!!!!

ok, im gonna ask further.
(as were now officially rebuilding a bike)

does a bike have to have a sidelight ?

what if there is no sidelight/parking fitted (were talking that little stupid led thing that no one uses)

can we get away with just removing the bulb, therefore technically not having one fitted, or do i need to remove the switchgear bit too ?

its gonna be a pain in the ass to fit a sidelight as most aftermarket headlight units dont have provisions for one.

(i might just use a hornet or SV headlight)

I use that parking light on the SV. It's put there so that you can drain your battery while the bike is parked up at work all day. :twisted:

on the CBR's (that were streetfightering)
there is no option for a parking light, therefore you need the keys in the ignition to have it on.

That was the question I just asked wasn't it? :)

My Bros does not have a pilot light, nor a position on the switch for it. (Japanese spec)
It MOTs no problem.
It is headlight and taillight or no lights at all.

Conclusion: a bike does NOT require a pilot light.

Plenty of bikes seem to not have them, I guess if you have it, it must work but if you've removed it then it should be ok...anyone got a proper answer :D

Falc, ALL bikes have them, just sometimes they aint seperate and are built into the headlights.

OK, i think in your case northy the answer is NO, not required for an MOT.
see here

(that's the second time i've linked to there today, I should be on commission)


In short, I read that as....

If you don't have a headlamp you must have a position lamp or it will be recorded as a daytime only machine.
If you have a headlamp, it is not a requirement to have a position lamp.


HTH.

Can't say for sure, but I've alway understood, if you've got one it has to work (no just taking bulbs out), but if there isn't fitment for one your fine.

I'm changing the fairing on mine shortly and the new one has two verticle projectors, neither of which have sidelight provision, I'm not expecting any problems.

Cheers Mark.

That's what I quoted from earlier ;) But yep, that's what I reckon too. In fact, it doesn't seem like a failed lamp should be a fail either if I've read that right. But it'll make it illegal to park in some areas- what is it, 40mph roads you're supposed to have the position light on if you park heading into traffic? Something like that anyway...