Modified LAMs bikes?

[iranana]

Alright, with the talk of these motorcycle safety campaigns and shit I'm a little concerned about getting pulled over now. I have expansion chambers on my LAMs approved 250 smoker, but I'm not actually entirely sure whether that's entirely legal. I'm sure it's still under the power to weight ratio, but I can't necessarily prove that unless I go and dyno it. The NZTA website states that:

• All motorcycles with engine capacities of 250cc and under [are allowed], except for those on the LAMS-prohibited list above.
• The following list of motorcycles with engine capacities between 251cc and 660cc - these motorcycles must be in standard form as produced by the manufacturer. They cannot be modified in any way to increase the power-to-weight ratio.

So does that mean we can modify our 250s as long as we keep it under the power to weight ratio? Because based on the LAMs criteria that's kind of what they're implying. Just want to get it straight before I get puller over... I doubt most cops would know much about chambers (and their performance perks), but they're big, loud, and obviously aftermarket...

[pritch]

these motorcycles must be in standard form as produced by the manufacturer. They cannot be modified in any way to increase the power-to-weight ratio.[/LIST]

So does that mean we can modify our 250s as long as we keep it under the power to weight ratio? Because based on the LAMs criteria that's kind of what they're implying.

I'm not a lawyer but your interpretation appears overly optimistic. Don't interpret it, just read it. They are not "implying" anything, that's a fairly unequivocal statement. It does however appear to relate specifically to bikes over 251cc.

Your 250 may be OK, so just ride so as not to draw attention to yourself.

[MisterD]

I take it to mean that any engine-related performance upgrades are a no-no. Of course if it's a 1978 bike with new pipes on it, you'll probably get a long way with "they perform no different than the originals that rusted out".

[iranana]

Upon further reading it would seem that any modification made with the intention of increasing power is forbidden, regardless of engine capacity... Noise is my main concern... when it gets on the pipe, it sure does draw attention to itself. But they can't really prove then and there that the pipes make much of a difference can they? Heck, two strokes don't have an even power output through their rev range anyway, so for all they know the pipes could be making peak power at an inaccessible 10,000 RPM, and making less power than stock below that. It's just a 250 from 1978... and the original pipes were actually pretty stuffed...

[SMOKEU]

It's an old bike that most cops have never seen, so how will they even know the exhausts aren't standard?

[iranana]

It's an old bike that most cops have never seen, so how will they even know the exhausts aren't standard?

The rear hanger brackets I had to fabricate look a bit home-job-ish haha. I'll clean them up a bit and make them look legit. I should be fine, but after reading the threads about these safety campaigns and on the spot WOF checks it had me wondering. I'll just leave em on and ride at my own risk. Never been pulled over in my 6+ years of driving and 3+ years of riding (I was on my learners for a looong time) so I guess that counts for something..

[SMOKEU]

The rear hanger brackets I had to fabricate look a bit home-job-ish haha. I'll clean them up a bit and make them look legit. I should be fine, but after reading the threads about these safety campaigns and on the spot WOF checks it had me wondering. I'll just leave em on and ride at my own risk. Never been pulled over in my 6+ years of driving and 3+ years of riding (I was on my learners for a looong time) so I guess that counts for something..

I seriously doubt that any cop will even mention the exhausts, unless it's "excessively" noisy, which is a very subjective thing. Old vehicles usually have aftermarket bits and pieces fabricated. If you're that worried, a can of spray paint can make things look a bit more standard looking for brackets and shit like that. Just chill, and ride it!

[Asher]

The way I read it is that modifications are allowed for bikes 250cc or less, the no mod rule only applies for bikes between 251 and 660cc's.

[MarkW]

Alright, with the talk of these motorcycle safety campaigns and shit I'm a little concerned about getting pulled over now. I have expansion chambers on my LAMs approved 250 smoker, but I'm not actually entirely sure whether that's entirely legal. I'm sure it's still under the power to weight ratio, but I can't necessarily prove that unless I go and dyno it. The NZTA website states that:

• All motorcycles with engine capacities of 250cc and under [are allowed], except for those on the LAMS-prohibited list above.
• The following list of motorcycles with engine capacities between 251cc and 660cc - these motorcycles must be in standard form as produced by the manufacturer. They cannot be modified in any way to increase the power-to-weight ratio.

So does that mean we can modify our 250s as long as we keep it under the power to weight ratio? Because based on the LAMs criteria that's kind of what they're implying. Just want to get it straight before I get puller over... I doubt most cops would know much about chambers (and their performance perks), but they're big, loud, and obviously aftermarket...

This needs NO explanation at all if you simply read what is written:

Is your motorcycle 250cc or less? Yes - is it on the banned list? Yes = not LAMS
Is your motorcycle 250cc or less? Yes - is it on the banned list? No = LAMS standard or modified
Is your motorcycle 251cc or more? No - then see above
Is your motorcycle 251ccor more? Yes - is it on the approved list? Yes - is it standard? Yes = LAMS
Is your motorcycle 251cc or more? Yes - is it on the approved list? Yes - is it standard? No = not LAMS
Is your motorcycle 251cc or more? Yes - is it on the approved list? No = not LAMS

The process is really simple so if your RD is 250cc or less then it can be as highly altered as you like provided it is not on the banned list and from memory the RD is not mentioned as it is too old.

Hope this helps

Mark W

[pzkpfw]

This page: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/gett...torcycles.html says:

Please note

Any motorcycle modified in a way that increases its power-to-weight ratio is no longer LAMS-compliant, regardless of whether it appears on the list.

If you are a rider on a learner or restricted motorcycle licence, it is your responsibility to ensure you are riding a LAMS-approved motorcycle, as produced by the manufacturer.

Does anyone know the specific act that set up LAMS? Best to read the actual words of law, not some "fact sheet".


Edit: been digging around in legislation.govt.nz but have not found anything very specific. Anything I did find did seem to indicate the "no modifications" thing applies over 250 - so as usual the law in an ass. Other places mention "approved" motorcycles, but I couldn't find a definition of that, for example, anything that clearly said "modification removes approval".

[iranana]

Ok, so it seems this is a bit of a grey area really. I'm still under the impression that any mod that increases the power to weight ratio is not allowed, regardless of engine capacity. But looks like I'll be fine unless I really piss someone off, or get pulled over by a cop who's having a shitty day...

[oneblackflag]

Mines Exhaust is all obviously modded, and loud... Haven't been pulled up but have gone past cops with it wound out. Not to worried myself, especially since people are saying its 251cc and over.

[oneblackflag]

When I changed to a replacement pipe that was noisier than the original I just pushed some steel wool down it when getting a warrant but it does blow out after a while.

I'm liking that warrent tip

[SMOKEU]

Ok, so it seems this is a bit of a grey area really. I'm still under the impression that any mod that increases the power to weight ratio is not allowed, regardless of engine capacity. But looks like I'll be fine unless I really piss someone off, or get pulled over by a cop who's having a shitty day...

How can they prove which bike came with what parts, especially when the bike was made in the 1970s and has been out of production for many years? Then you have to account for the fact that the "same" model of bike will have different parts depending on the intended market.

You can't expect every cop to have an intimate knowledge of every single vehicle on NZ roads.

[Mushu]

You'll be alright, my bike is a DR650 and it has a non standard exhaust and I have had cops point out how loud it is but never mentioned that it makes it uncompliant under LAMS, do I would say most don't care. My excuse is that it gets ridden in the bush so must have a spark arrester and if that doesn't work I can always just chuck the stocker back on but in your case I think you should be able to argue the point that being under 251cc it can be modified, just carry a copy of the LAMS fact sheet that says so.