Supertrapp snuff - $0.

[Wired1]

Has anyone in Nelson got a Db meter? Is there an authorised DB measurer person here?

[Wired1]

So I popped into VTNZ this arvo to ask them how they will assess my quietened supertapp and guess what - they don't have a Db meter! They use what they call "objective testing" which means it is just a matter of opinion. What a great system.

[NordieBoy]

Go and see Gary at the Nelson Testing Station.
He's into Classic MX and ran a Supertrapp on his '79 XR500.
He may have some ideas.

[Wired1]

Supertrapp update: Pulled it apart today - it had 13 disks. Reduced it to 4 (thanks Nordie) and it is half the noise. It is such a difference I will just rock up to the VTNZ and see if they aggree without getting it measured.
I had a look at repacking it but I would need to drill out the pop rivets and it's not that old anyway, or not that used anyway, so I decided to give that a miss. It's quiet enough without it I reckon.

[Motu]

So I popped into VTNZ this arvo to ask them how they will assess my quietened supertapp and guess what - they don't have a Db meter! They use what they call "objective testing" which means it is just a matter of opinion. What a great system.

They don't have to have a Db meter,it's optional....and the subjective test is still in the way it's done.All they have to say is ''it's too loud''....and then you have to get an objective test done,and then have a piece of paper to say what it puts out.Don't get shitty with them,get shitty with the little turds in noisy cars annoying the public at wrong time wrong place - that is why we now have exhaust noise rules.

[Wired1]

Yeah I know, and to be fair my bike was pretty loud. At least it's quieter now.
The guys at VTNZ did mention getting it measured by someone in town but they said it might cost me ovewr $100 for the piece of paper - I think it would be fairer if the WOF guys had the tester in the first place.

[Motu]

I think it would be fairer if the WOF guys had the tester in the first place.

Geez,how many times do we have to explain this? Noise level can't be checked in a testing station or garage enviroment,it has to be a controlled enviroment,so the test is the same for you in Nelson,someone in rural Wairarapa or central Auckland.How fair would it be if I failed you at our facility right on SH1 and the Main Trunk Line,and then someone else passed it in some quiet rural setting.They'd be on here demanding name and shame.

Just make it quiet as.Is it a race core? Even at 4 discs my race core is bloody noisy....but still under 100Db.

[Wired1]

I bought it second hand so no idea. It is very quiet with four disk so probably not. I take your point re testing but my point is if they can't test it then they have no justification failing it - if they want to fail it then they need to test it not just say they think it's too loud - how loud is too loud? There needs to be a clear criteria. Imagine if traffice cops didn't bother measuring your speed just said "I think you were going too fast so here's a fine".

I also appreciate it puts the tester in an awkward situation having to buy a new instrument but exactly the same thing has happened to all the electricians in the country when the government said we have to buy a $1500 fault-loop impedance tester to be able to certify work we do - we don't have a choice we just have to either buy it or find another line of work.

[Motu]

There IS clear criteria for noise - NO louder or LESS than the original system.The justification is that it's louder than stock,so that is a fail.If it fails you have to get an objective noise test.As for having to buy a meter - as I explained in the previous post,it's optional.The designated testing centers have the approved equipment.

[geoffm]

A noise meter is $150 from Dick Smiths - don't tell me that mechanics are so poorly paid that they can't afford that.
IMO, if they are failing it, then they shoudl be measuring it to provide consistancy. As any background noise will increase the reading, then if it fails it is definitly to loud, or if the vehicle owner disagrees, then they can go and get a reading from a certified inspector with all the certified gear.
It is a typicla feelgood LTSA copout.

Wired1 - the cops do issue tickets without measuring the speed quite frequiently. No proof is required with a speeding ticket, as I can personally vouch for. A reason why a lot of people wouldn't go out of thei rway to help a traffic cop in trouble.

[Wired1]

Yes I was thnking that was a bad example myself as I'm sure I've had one in my youth just for speeding without any specific speed mentioned.

Look I'm not trying to hijack this thread, and thanks for all the help I've had regarding my supertrapp, I'll take it back this week and see if they agree it's now "no noiseier than stock".