Import conversions for SVT

[iaindoha]

Originally had this tagged onto an existing discussion on the 1100 forum so thought it might make more sense to put it on here ..

I know that the issues re headlight deflection and speedometers have been mentioned before but not recently, and I believe things are getting tighter.

Firt off - I am in Northern Ireland so we get our tests done by government run test centres so they will go by the letter of the law.

My bike is a 2007 1200GS brought in from Qatar. (I didn't have time to sell it there for a sensible price before leaving).

To register here I will need to pass the SV Test so need a left dipping headlight and a speedo that shows mph and kmph.

Spoke to the local BMW dealer and it's fairly big money to replace these so have some other thoughts ...

• Headlight: either buy second hand UK model and fit myself or use deflector tape. Will tape suffice for the test?? the guys on the 1100/1150 side seem to think it's enough. If it'll do for the sake of the SV test I can change the light unit later when I'm feeling a bit more flush to keep things right.
  
• Speedo: rather than buy a new unit, how about a bike mounted GPS which shows the speed in mph?? A Zumo is less than a new speedo and at least I'd be getting some extras for the money. Again does anyone know if this will satisfy the examiner? (By the way a 2nd hand instrument panel is difficult as it would need reprogramming by a dealer to manage the miles/km issue).

Dying to get back on the road so any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Iain

 

[D6]

i dont think you can use a sat nav?they can go out of range, and stop working, why dont you ring the sva?
that way you will definatly know

 

[ianboydsnr]

i dont think you can use a sat nav?they can go out of range, and stop working, why dont you ring the sva?
that way you will definatly know

I used to use a pedal bike speedometer, wired down to the front wheel, operated by a small magnet, was much more accurate than any built in speedo and cost under a £5,

 

[karlp]

Why not go to a bike breakers and get the bits ?

 

[iaindoha]

Why not go to a bike breakers and get the bits ?

Breakers is the plan for the headlight if the blanking off sticker isn't good enough. No good for the speedo though. Dealer tells me that the unit would need reprogrammed to understand the data arriving to it from my 'kmph system'. I've seen others mention that on the forum. Seems I can't just change my European instrument cluster for a UK one and expect it to work.

Easiest way is to just buy all the bits from my dealer but it reallly is big money; £350 for the instruments and £250 for the headlight. Found the headlight ex-breaker and will do that if I have to.

 

[iaindoha]

I used to use a pedal bike speedometer, wired down to the front wheel, operated by a small magnet, was much more accurate than any built in speedo and cost under a £5,

In theory the speedometer has to be clearly visible in all light conditions. Since bicycle ones are battery powered I'd worry at the lack of a backlight.

(I just expect them to be very pedantic here).

A lot of previous posts I've seen are from people trying to pass MOTs where these things won't be looked at so closely (in some cases it seems not at all). The SVA will be specificaly checking what they expect to be wrong so I need to make the effort and know that I comply.

I called the SVA and the guy went through the standard which states that the speedo must be visible in all light conditions. I specifically asked him about the GPS idea and he couldn't find a problem with it so that might be the way to go. As for the headlight he said that it had to be a permanent fix so stickers etc. are no good. Needs a new unit.

?? Don't suppose anyone out there wants to swap a UK (left dipping) light cluster for my Euro one? Excellent condition - only covered 8,000kms on the bike in a sunny country.

 

[M3GS]

As it happens I am looking for a r/h dip unit for my bike in France. Problem is I probably wont be back down there until November... bummer!

Roger

 

[gwigglesworth]

Why not just find the EU approval number and use that? As the bike will have been built to this standard... This would avoid the need for an SVA test although you might need to pop to the local DVLA with the bike to show that the numbers match and you have e numbers on the lights etc

 

[iaindoha]

Why not just find the EU approval number and use that? As the bike will have been built to this standard... This would avoid the need for an SVA test although you might need to pop to the local DVLA with the bike to show that the numbers match and you have e numbers on the lights etc

What / where is the EU approval number?