iBiker
Registered user
I had 2 bikes up for MOT today, a 1997 Honda CB 500 and a 2003 Honda 100cc scooter. ON arriving at Mallusk MOT centre I was informed that the new procedure had gone live today and there were several "official observers" watching the events. So here is what happened:
1 Both bikes were given the usual checks as before, i.e. tyres, fork seals, wheel bearings, chain, levers, switches, headlamp alignment, lights, signals, looking for loose or worn parts etc, etc, etc. It seemed to be more comprehensive than usual but that might have been because the "observers" were present. At that point I was advised that the scooter was finished and would not be doing the new tests, one down one to go.
2 The CB 500 was then checked for wheel alignment and then I was asked if I wanted to take it onto the rollers or did I want a member of MOT staff to do it. The CB500 is a small and relatively light weight bike so I decided to give it a go. I rode the bike further into the test lane to a new bike roller that has been installed. Just in front of the roller there is a large raised plate, which weighs the relative weight on the wheel before going into the roller so as to adjust the calibration. then it was front wheel in and right foot on the rear brake to stop the bike jumping when applying front brake in roller. This was tricky as the foot position on the left was the edge or the raised weigh plate. Front braking was then tested several times and you could feel the bike front end moving but not violently. This procedure was then repeated on the rear wheel, and again with only one foot on the ground as the other was required to operate the rear brake. Bit more tricky this time as the bike starts to slide to the right slightly in the roller. I then had to continue through the lane to the rear and exit there.
A few observations/information:
I had already removed my helmet and was not asked to put it on for the roller test.
The left had side of the roller has a vertical stop to stop the bike sliding out to the left, however with only your left foot down the bike is always going to slide to the right as the weight angle and weight is to the left.
The polished floor inside a MOT centre can be mighty slippery, especially if your footwear is wet.
The scooter was deemed unsuitable for the rollers due to its tiny wheel size
I was asked if the bike had ABS or anti lock brakes before testing
I enquired if the scooter was exempt was else was, they told me "vintage" bikes but could not be more specific in terms of age, also no exact details of scooter/moped wheel size etc.
Overall it wasn't too painful though I do imagine that we will have to pay for the "extra" checks no doubt, also I am not sure this would have been the same relatively easy experience on a much heavier/taller bike such as a GSA.
For info and your comments
1 Both bikes were given the usual checks as before, i.e. tyres, fork seals, wheel bearings, chain, levers, switches, headlamp alignment, lights, signals, looking for loose or worn parts etc, etc, etc. It seemed to be more comprehensive than usual but that might have been because the "observers" were present. At that point I was advised that the scooter was finished and would not be doing the new tests, one down one to go.
2 The CB 500 was then checked for wheel alignment and then I was asked if I wanted to take it onto the rollers or did I want a member of MOT staff to do it. The CB500 is a small and relatively light weight bike so I decided to give it a go. I rode the bike further into the test lane to a new bike roller that has been installed. Just in front of the roller there is a large raised plate, which weighs the relative weight on the wheel before going into the roller so as to adjust the calibration. then it was front wheel in and right foot on the rear brake to stop the bike jumping when applying front brake in roller. This was tricky as the foot position on the left was the edge or the raised weigh plate. Front braking was then tested several times and you could feel the bike front end moving but not violently. This procedure was then repeated on the rear wheel, and again with only one foot on the ground as the other was required to operate the rear brake. Bit more tricky this time as the bike starts to slide to the right slightly in the roller. I then had to continue through the lane to the rear and exit there.
A few observations/information:
I had already removed my helmet and was not asked to put it on for the roller test.
The left had side of the roller has a vertical stop to stop the bike sliding out to the left, however with only your left foot down the bike is always going to slide to the right as the weight angle and weight is to the left.
The polished floor inside a MOT centre can be mighty slippery, especially if your footwear is wet.
The scooter was deemed unsuitable for the rollers due to its tiny wheel size
I was asked if the bike had ABS or anti lock brakes before testing
I enquired if the scooter was exempt was else was, they told me "vintage" bikes but could not be more specific in terms of age, also no exact details of scooter/moped wheel size etc.
Overall it wasn't too painful though I do imagine that we will have to pay for the "extra" checks no doubt, also I am not sure this would have been the same relatively easy experience on a much heavier/taller bike such as a GSA.
For info and your comments
and then I stood right beside when he did the test! 
