Question for a WOF inspector.

[pervert]

I have a question for someone who issues WOF's that may require a quick look in your manual.

This in in regards to a car. My car is fully LVVTA certified for lowered suspension, it sits quite a bit under 100mm at structural parts up front (which is the reason it is certified).

This has always been a problem at WOF time, as every inspector seems to believe if the vehicle is under 100mm that means instant fail, even if certified. I usually ask them politely to show me in the manual that this is the case, and when they go to the appropriate section it states something along the lines of "Vehicles under 100mm are reason for rejection - unless LVVTA certified for the ride height", which is when they apologise and I get my WOF.

I took my bike to VTNZ (fucking cocks haha), and was talking to them about it, they claimed I was wrong (even though the manual says I'm not, and the certifier, and the law), and that it CAN'T be under 100mm, even if certified. After debating this for a while, another inspector joined in and claimed the rules had changed within the last few months...making this true and I was wrong.

I was wondering if a kind WOF inspector on this forum could look up their current manual, and let me know if I can still pass.

Thanks heaps.

[pervert]

Motu is the man you need, but he goes by feel, not manuals, but you never know he may have one somewhere.

Yeah I thought he would be, he always seems very helpful...surely he'll have a manual in a cupboard somewhere...

It's mainly to work out if the rules have indeed changed since I last got a WOF three months ago.

[LilSel]

I think my car is lower than 100mm... and I havent had any issues getting WOF from testing station place in the past... eeek... hope nothing has changed...

[pervert]

I think my car is lower than 100mm... and I havent had any issues getting WOF from testing station place in the past... eeek... hope nothing has changed...

If it has less than 100mm ground clearance at any structural point (exhaust/body kit don't count), then it needs an LVVTA certification, always has.

If you've passed without one you've been damn lucky, my Legend got pink stickered for being waaaay under 100mm, so I got it certified.

[LilSel]

If it has less than 100mm ground clearance at any structural point (exhaust/body kit don't count)

Hmmm.... okies.... lol.... in that case... sweet Exhaust and Kit are what usually scrape/get stuck on things. Guess the structural bits aint that low den *shrug*

Got a piccy of your ride? *interested*

[Toaster]

Must be a bummer getting around town and over kerbs/speed bumps with a cage that low ??!!

It used to be 10cm min from lowest fixed point. I'd be interested to hear what the change has been if it ever gets posted.

[Ixion]

Okkay. From the latest VIR manual.

Section 9 Steering and suspension

Modifications (Note 5)
16. A modification affects a component or system that
directly or indirectly affects the directional control of
the vehicle, and:
a) is not excepted from the requirements for LVV
specialist certification (Table 9-1-1), and
b) is missing proof of LVV specialist certification, ie:
i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV
certification plate, or
ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid
modification declaration or authority card.

and, from table 9-1-1, page 9-1-4

Table 9-1-1. Modifications that do not require LVV certification

• a minimum of 100 mm ground clearance exists below any part of the vehicle
structure, or any steering, braking, or suspension component1, and

So, if there is 100mm clearance to the vehicle structure or any blah blah, it does not need certification

If there is less, then it needs certification. If you have certification you're all good.

Mr Inspector is telling outrageous porkies. Get him to put it in writing.

[pervert]

If there is less, then it needs certification. If you have certification you're all good.

Mr Inspector is telling outrageous porkies. Get him to put it in writing.

I have a cert, I know he is telling porkies, Im just making sure the rules haven't changed in the last few months like one suggested...


My bike is currently back at VTNZ with the Kawasaki bike shop guy riding it, they failed it because they claimed the front suspension was too soft and didn't have any oil in the forks...even though both forks seals were done with new oil not one month ago. When I tryed to argue it saying GPX250's are soft in the front, he told me he wouldn't even argue about it, it failed. I called him a dickhead and left, and now the guys who changed the fork seals are argueing with him on my behalf.

Must be a bummer getting around town and over kerbs/speed bumps with a cage that low ??!!

It used to be 10cm min from lowest fixed point. I'd be interested to hear what the change has been if it ever gets posted.

It still is 10cm min from lowest structural point...unless it is certified to be lower.

I don't find it a bummer, it sits about 60mm at the crossmember in the front, I don't mind it scraping at all as its a regular occurance...it really pisses the WOF garage off when they can't get it on the hoist...

Best part is at night when you hit a good bump at 100km and spray sparks everywhere...whoops here I was trying to pretend I was mature and responsible and I type that...

[Motu]

Well if it's under 100mm I just fail it,I don't care what fancy stuff you have it's a fail.Actualy if it won't fit on my hoist I don't do the WoF,simple as that.It's not up to me to prove your car doesn't comply - it's up to you to prove to me it does....and if I still don't like it you go somewhere else.I look at the bump stops - bump stops cannot be modified,and if there is no working clearance (like,going over bumps) then I won't wear none of it.

There is a new VIRM due out last month but has been delayed - the Testing Stations may have the information before other AVIC's and could be applying new rules.

[nadroj]

You need to take note of the details on the certification plate as a WOF inspector looks for any modifications not listed that are failures. If the vehicle is presented with only the mods listed on the plate he cannot reject it on any of those modifications listed. If he is unsure of compliance he will direct you to a certifying agent as this is his area of expertise. A suggestion is to get some business cards from the certifier & give to the WOF inspector each time you have a problem.
When I was certifying (1990 to 2000) I would get calls from WOF inspectors seeking clarification and that was before general understanding of the system.
Good luck

[Ixion]

My bike is currently back at VTNZ with the Kawasaki bike shop guy riding it, they failed it because they claimed the front suspension was too soft and didn't have any oil in the forks...even though both forks seals were done with new oil not one month ago.

WTF! This guy has got to be know all dick of the month. Tell him to specify what clause of the VIR manual he's relying on for that fail!

There's nothing in there at all about how hard or soft the forks are,or about whether they ahve the "correct" amount of oil, provided they haven't been modified. And on a lot of forks, extra oil won't make much difference to how hard the fork action is (rebound is another matter) It's not his job to decide if the manufacturer has fitted forks that are too soft or not. I suspect Mr Kawasaki knows a shit load more about motorcycle design than he does.

The man's an idiot , he doesnt know what he's talking about. Lodge an official complaint. Ph 0800 699 000.

[pervert]

Well if it's under 100mm I just fail it,I don't care what fancy stuff you have it's a fail.

Hahahaha good to see WOF inspectors NZ wide don't know what they are doing. Not knowing what a LVVTA certification plate means leaves a lot to be desired.

I had one garage do exactly what you are claiming you would do, was quite fun being able to show them in their own WOF manual exactly where they don't know what they are talking about.

Actualy if it won't fit on my hoist I don't do the WoF,simple as that.

That's fair enough, one garage said the exact same thing which I am quite happy with.

...as for the information about the new VIRM, thats handy to know...thanks.

[pervert]

WTF! This guy has got to be know all dick of the month. Tell him to specify what clause of the VIR manual he's relying on for that fail!

There's nothing in there at all about how hard or soft the forks are,or about whether they ahve the "correct" amount of oil, provided they haven't been modified. And on a lot of forks, extra oil won't make much difference to how hard the fork action is (rebound is another matter) It's not his job to decide if the manufacturer has fitted forks that are too soft or not. I suspect Mr Kawasaki knows a shit load more about motorcycle design than he does.

The man's an idiot , he doesnt know what he's talking about. Lodge an official complaint. Ph 0800 699 000.

He sure was an idiot, I told him to go down to Kawasaki and bounce on a brand new GPX250 and he would find a similar softness. He then proceeded to tell me they don't sell GPX250's brand new, that they stopped making them years ago as he used to own one so he knows what he is talking about.

Guess those brand new GPX250's in the shop must be fakes then...

I was thinking about a complaint, depends what the outcome is later on today I guess. I think I pissed him off enough when I told him he was clearly suffering from 'short-mans syndrome' (he was all of 1.5 metres tall), and then called him a dick. To which his witty reply was, "No, you're a dick" and storming off. I swear I saw one of the other inspectors trying to hold back the laughter.

[avgas]

ive noticed that there has been a big push lately at testing stations for stuff that is just silly.
I got a fail for my horn not working loud enough, i replied "Oh ok, i never used it".... the chinese guy looked at me, his jaw dropped. "Why dont u use your horn"
- "Becuase i could spend the next 2 seconds using my horn, pissing everyone off, go straight into an accident like a dumbass.....or i could just avoid the situation"
I have never EVER used a horn in that for anything but to warn someone that they have nodded off at the lights (if i couldnt get round them), so for that job any horn volume would suffice.
The horn is not some magical button that will instantly fixed everything infront of you.

[avgas]

He sure was an idiot, I told him to go down to Kawasaki and bounce on a brand new GPX250 and he would find a similar softness. He then proceeded to tell me they don't sell GPX250's brand new, that they stopped making them years ago as he used to own one so he knows what he is talking about.

Guess those brand new GPX250's in the shop must be fakes then...

I was thinking about a complaint, depends what the outcome is later on today I guess. I think I pissed him off enough when I told him he was clearly suffering from 'short-mans syndrome' (he was all of 1.5 metres tall), and then called him a dick. To which is witty reply was, "No, you're a dick" and storming off. I swear I saw one of the other inspectors trying to hold back the laughter.

Easily solved, pop the fork caps and preload about 1 dollar of the old 20c coins into each fork.
Done and dusted