Wof checking on exhaust systems.

[TwoSeven]

Thing is, with an old bike, the stuff didn't have those markings anyway, even the standard kit.

I have exactly the same problem, luckely, the chap that usually does my machine knows about old bikes. But I can see it being a problem when the youngun (rule books lawyers) come on board.

[FROSTY:Me]

Wow, for example what happens if you are sold the bike with an aftermarket exhaust (from dealer, first NZ owner etc)? it must be on grounds for an excemption as on VIN they get an WOF inspection dont they?...

*has no idea.

Mate it beggs the question. I guess theyre gonna go back to the old dba meter

[Firefight]

I can't be bothered with the hassles at testing station so I just swap back to the stock can, get the WOF and then put the Micron back on.

F/F




and yes, thats the one I was waiting for, 2k

[myvice]

When I picked up my new bike (to me and NZ that is) it had just been VIN'ed, Lots of travel on the rear brake, front brake lever didnt light up the brake light and no working instrument lights.
Getting your WoF is mandatory but you are responsible for your own safety and the people doing the check can and do miss things.
Anyway... A WoF is about saftey or it used to be, eg, we can no longer fail a car for having a T.V where a driver can view it, the rubber boots that protect your ball-joints are no longer a failable item, the big ugly tacho bolted to the dash can be failed as it can obstruct the driver's vision but... as it is not a "Dangerous Fitting" this is a gray area and if thay have a bitch thay will get the sticker.
These are just a few I'v picked out for you to get all bitter and twisted over.
The loud exhaust bullshit we have to contend with has nothing to do with saftey only politicing. So, next time you are cut off by the pillock in the lowered heap of euro trash with the 20" crome wheels, the 10" tacho, the 98db sound system as he plays on his in-car playstation and text's his mate in the tinted pimped crapmobile next to him, just smile and remember... it takes only 5 minutes to go home and change your whisper type exhaust to the "If you cant hear this you must be dead" one you have at home.

[bugjuice]

In the UK, part of the MOT (UK version of a WOF) has to have a CO2 test. Being the clean country that NZ is meant to be, I thought that test would have been introduced back in the steam car era, so I think it's long overdue.

As for the dba measurement, well sometimes too loud can be a problem, but as long as they don't get too anal about it.

As for the markings on the can, I never heard of that. I hope that's just an officer looking for trouble. The markings don't always mean anything. And some cans exceed most standards, and don't have markings on. And what's to stop me from getting a stamp done on my home made can, just to keep them happy?

The lights thing have been covered on the forum before, I guess it just depends on who ya know and where ya go.. If you go to a bike shop, will they care about the little things as much as a VTNZ? As long as they work and can be seen, that's the main thing, isn't it?

[Ixion]

I think we've done this before.

But, basically, if you've still got whatever the bike had when new, that is legal (providing it still works, and is effective, ie acetylene headlamps won't comply, I guess)

Here is an extract from the VIR manual, the WOF tester's Bible (You can find it Here . If you think you may have problems, and believe youa re right, might be worth taking a copy with you and ask the tester to show the section he is relying on. Of course, that's basically an invitation for him to be a real prick and find something else to fail you on)

Note 3 An original equipment (OE) lamp is one that is fitted by the vehicle manufacturer in the original position, or is an equivalent replacement or aftermarket lamp suitable forthe position provided by the vehicle manufacturer for that lamp. All other lamps are considered retrofit (ie non-OE)

Note 5 A vehicle originally manufactured with a direction indicator lamp arrangement that differs from what is required or permitted in this section may retain the original direction indicator lamps provided they remain fitted in their original position and perform as intended by the vehicle manufacturer.

This is the note from the indicator section but all the other lighting sections have the same sort of note.

And all the exhaust section says is :

[Reason for Rejection]

6. The noise output is noticeably and significantly louder
than it would have been when the vehicle was
manufactured with its original exhaust system.

And here is the WHOLE of the exhaust system requirements from the Road Rule (the actual "law", Here )

2.7 Exhaust systems

2.7(1) Except for a motor vehicle in the Schedule, a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine must be fitted with an exhaust system that is in good working order.

2.7(2) An exhaust system must not be constructed or modified in a way that allows a person to interfere readily with its operation or reduce its effectiveness.

2.7(3) Noise from an exhaust system must not be noticeably and significantly louder than it would have been when the motor vehicle was manufactured with its original exhaust system.

2.7(4) An exhaust system must be designed, constructed, positioned and maintained in a way that minimises the risk of heat or fumes emitted from the system harming the motor vehicle’s occupants.

I think some of this arises because a lot of "testing stations" do both WOF and VIN compliance work. The requirements for the VIN test are different to a WOF. For compliance purposes, equipment and systems do have to be shown to comply with design standards. But that is not part of WOF requirements UNLESS the vehicle had to meet those standards originally.

Simply put, if it's original, it's legal. If you change it, whatever you put on has to be either the same as the original, or comply with any required standards, eg approval codes on light fittings. (that's a bit oversimplified, I know)

EDIT Here is the Road Rule that covers lighting. The actual "law" about lights and those numbers on them .For those who WANT their heads to splode.

SECOND EDIT. Actually, I suspect a more likely cause of tester confusion is that class L vehicles (motorcycles) do NOT have to have standards approved lighting fitments until 1 Jan 2006 (date of bike manufacture ). EXCEPT for indicators where it is 1996 (and reflectors , 1992, but not likely to be argued about).

But cars mostly have to comply from earlier dates (like 1992)

Testers who mainly check cars don't realise that it is different for bikes. And why the more clued up testers fixate on the indicators.

If its manufactured before 1996 and the fitting is original or "copy", tell them politely to check their facts. But if you're wanting to fit that nifty new pair of indicators you got off ebay, after 1 Jan 2006, better make sure that they have compliance markings.

[N4CR]

"2.7(2) An exhaust system must not be constructed or modified in a way that allows a person to interfere readily with its operation or reduce its effectiveness."

Whoops.. guess all bikes fail on that one huh

I have my original can with just a simple 'JMCA' written on it for WOF time

I got through a roadside police WOF check with my current 'loud' can and there were no problems whatsoever.. they didn't even see the WOF sticker (they were looking around for it though with greedy piggy eyes ) and let me through.. phew.

[Wolf]

ie acetylene headlamps won't comply, I guess

So your first bike wouldn't pass, then...

All for the best, though - it must've cost you a fortune in coal to run.



My old Zundapp only had indicators because a previous owner had put some on. When I straightened the bike up and had it repainted I could have done away with indicators entirely but instead I opted to fit some handle-bar mounted ones on the front and a couple of Hella's on the back - figured the average driver these days doesn't know what a hand signal means (at least not one that has more than one finger extended).

I also fitted a brake light switch to the rear brake as I had replaced the original tail light assembly with one from a Suzuki so I had the provision to mount a dual-filament bulb.

Never had WOF problems with it (they were probably too busy marvelling that it was still running) despite my obvious modifications (at least they all worked).

[Paul in NZ]

What a fucked up world.

We have time for morons to worry about and pass laws on what freakin' indicator lenses you bike should have and whether your bike is loud enough to bother the vegitarian, iranian lesbians/homosexual autistic lawn tortise associations meditation seminar but our old people can't heat their houses (oh no, can't have a minimum except a recommendation can we) and we can't manage to fund a decent police force to crack down on P and shit like that.

Christ I hate this shit.

Baffle you with meaningless detail while the big things sail on by...

[betti]

Paul mate, I await your stand -up dvd with bated breath , that last rant cracked me up, genius mate

[Jackrat]

This thread just highlights a problem I can see coming my way.
I'll soon be taking the XS off the road for a major rebuild.
This will include a big bore kit,cam,ignition,carbs,valves & springs ect ect.
All high performance, so I have to buy a complete after market exhaust as well or the whole thing would be a waste of time.
Maybe I'll have to get it certified some how.
What ever, I'd really like to know where I stand on this.
Any clues??????

[Motu]

I don't think 99% of WoF testers would notice,most haven't got a boody clue about bikes.....and I know of one inspector who would give it a big thumbs up!

[vifferman]

What do ya mean by international standard marks on the exhaust?

My VTR1000 had some bullshit stamped on the mufflers about it being tested for and meeting some testing requirement or other. I had to fix the end caps so they didn't look like they'd been removed, and so the mufflers weren't "LOOK AT ME!!" loud before I could pass WOF testing.

The VFR800 was another kettle of (noisy) fish. It had a (factory) sticker on the frame saying the exhaust met some compliance regs or other, AND stating what identifier was stamped on the zorst. Oooer...
So, despite my wife's objections, I removed said sticker, as the zorst says "SATANTUNE Made In Orstrylya", not whatever the sticker lied about it saying...

For what it's worth, I reckon the Satantune with the original restrictor is probably no louder than the Honda (probably actually Sankei) muffler, but don't want to have to prove it. I may have difficulties with pedantic testers though, as the restrictor is easily removed or replaced, thus not satisfying this condition:

"2.7(2) An exhaust system must not be constructed or modified in a way that allows a person to interfere readily with its operation or reduce its effectiveness."
I can semi-readily 'interfere' with it, but in a way that improves its effectiveness.

[Lou Girardin]

If you think you may have problems, and believe youa re right, might be worth taking a copy with you and ask the tester to show the section he is relying on. Of course, that's basically an invitation for him to be a real prick and find something else to fail you on)
.

Of course, if you wait until the inspection is over before you show up his ineptitude, he can't then be a prick and fail you for something else.
Do it in front of his workmates, just to rub it in a little.

[NC]

Mine has "Not for road use" stamped on it. Uh oh!