Hope you can help UK-based people!

The time has come for me to get the first MOT on my XR650L, which I have been using as an Adventure Touring-type bike:

http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/~lmiller/boxes.JPG

I need to know the following, before taking it in. Please bear in mind when answering that the bike has never officially been sold in the EU, and is a US import (registered privately on a "W" plate).

BTW, I'm after a full MOT, not a daylight jobbie.

* Do I need a chainguard? Some monkey took it off...

* Are handguard-mounted indicators legal in UK (size, blink rate etc)? I have the Acerbis ones.

* The bike is quiet but has no "E" marked exhaust - problem?

* Same for headlights (35/55w dipper but no "E" mark)?

* Are digital dashes road legal? I have an IMO one, which is TUV approved for Germany, BTW.

* Large tank slightly obstructs lock-stops - can I get a washer tack-welded onto each side to make it clear?

* No. plate is 100% legal size - must it be lit independently (at the moment the rear light sort of shines onto it but there's no white lighting)?

Can't think of anything else at the moment, but I'm sure there are other issues. I feel I need to go prepared...

Thanks people.

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My XR650L Pan-Med Expedition Site!

1. Chainguard is a legal requirement, even when it's made of plastic. I prefer to have one - if a chain snaps at speed, it could bunch up around the front sprocket & then punch a hole through the engine case or flail your left leg - I've heard of both these scenarios happening. I've had two chains snap, fortunately both just rolled of the bike & lay on the road, leaving me wondering at my sudden loss of drive - I consider myself very lucky......


2. Indicators shold be okay, blink rate is determined by existing flasher relay/electrics.

3. Exhaust - depends on how loud it is & your relationship with the MOT station. Number & letter stamps are wonderous things when combined with a hammer..... You could also make a small aluminium plate with the relevant stamps on & then rivet it on?

4. 35/55w headlight is no problem, Many scooters etc come with 35/35w as standard.

5. Most sportsbikes have had a digital dash of some sort for a few years now - no problem.

6. Tank obstructing steering lock may be an issue, dependent on degree of obstruction & the person carrying out the MOT. If welding ne stops, just ensure that the battery & ignition box are disconnected prior to welding if using Mig, Tig or Arc welding. If you tack weld stops on for the MOT, no problem. If you weld the stops to last a long time, you may end up putting a lot of heat in to the headstock, in which case you may need to remove the forks & yokes to check & re-grease the headstock bearings as it may have melted. Whoever welds your stops on could also make a basic but effective chain guard quite easily

7. Number plate should be lit by a clear white light. You may get away with it?

Good luck

Steve

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Did you pass the MOT?

Just for the record, looking at the picture of your XR it seems you don't have passenger pegs.

In that case you don't need a chain guard or indicators to pass the MOT. NB indicators *would* be required if it was not an 'off-road' bike. If they are fitted they will be tested.

As far as I am aware (it's been 2 years since I went for an MOT) it's still not necessary to have a working speedometer or legal number-plate. These are 'construction and use' legal requirements but not inspected on the MOT test. Despite this, the number plate lamp will need to be present.

Exhaust pipes do not need to be e-marked so long as they are original, in practice if they have baffles then they are unlikely to be closely looked at.

If the headlight pattern is good then it should pass.

Ian

I should know in a few days whether it's passed or not. I decided to defer the responsibility for this to someone else.

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My XR650L Pan-Med Expedition Site!