Manky Monkey Motors

Bikes nearly done so its time to chop through the red tape,  :)
was on the phone yesterday,
 trying to get a vin number and was told to take all paper work to my nearest dvla place
but as i made frame/forks there is no papers,
so the only option i was told is to take my id and all reciepts then they will ishue a vin,
will take up most of a day to nip into my nearest, will keep you all posted as to progress,
getting exiting 8)

nice one m8e hope all goes well'ish ;D keep us informed

now all the hard work starts  ;D

Well been to my localish DVLA place to sort my vin number today,
They work it like the social place where you have to take a ticket,
mine said approx 46 Min's wait ::) so was pleased when my no came up after only 20.
Wasn't so pleased by the blank look i got, when i asked for a Vin no.
The girl went away saying i will have to pass this on, to the guy who deals with this side of things, she came back and asked me to start filling in a very official looking form (looked like a big P60) and to take a seat.
 the stuff on the form is interesting like max power in KW's?  Ive since found this http://www.statman.info/conversions/power.html
When the guy appeared he was unsure what i wanted at first but soon got the gist of it,
He told me i could pick my own no but it would be easier in the long run if he issued one,
the reason being that he would have to get it checked to confirm it met the criteria set by the powers that be.
Not wanting any hold ups i took one of his,
i had taken all paper work that Ive collected,
i ended up giving my license and receipts for frame materials and engine and wheels, he said he would photo copy them, and dissapeared for a bit, some questions on the form i did not have the answers to like length width co2 out put, so was a little worried, but on his return he said the form is for later on when I'm after my new reg,
Ive fetched it home to complete at my leasure,
 in his hand he had my Vin no form, the form stated that the number must be hard stamped to the frame and must be checked and authorised by a certified engineer :o but he told me a stamped plate riveted on would be fine and the checks were for stolen recovered vehicles where Vin numbers had been removed or welded over.
 He also gave me a direct phone number in case i have any further questions and to let him know when Ive passed the msva, so he can help me get the paper work completed proply, before taking my bike over for inspection. All in all a very helpfull guy and fairly painless so far.
So off i trot a happy bunny, Ive made a copper plate stamped up with 4mm digits to affix tomorrow,
i will also be on to my insurance/local vosa testing place.
will post progress as its made.    :)

Great news Mick!
Taz & I took a day off work to go to our local office -Wimbledon in North London. The girl I spoke to before-hand on the phone & at their office was also very helpful, but not very experienced with MSVAs, so had to check with her supervisor.
I've been told the  VIN number has to be stamped onto the frame -they won't accept a rivetted plate. Haven't done it yet as it'll mean stamping into my powdercoating or sanding off a portion then touching it in with paint afterwards. I'll check again nearer the time & hopefully speak to the actual examiner. Hoping a seperate plate will do.
I've got no receipts at all for any of my trike -it was all either bartered or home made, except the frame tubing, which I've lost the receipt for. They didn't ask to see any of it though. When ByzMax took his trike for MSVA he didn't have paperwork either but reckons it's down to them to prove the components have been stolen or falsely used, rather than you to prove they haven't. Again, I'm hoping.
The DVLA people were as helpful as their knowledge of MSVAs allowed, but it looks like you can get different answers depending where you go & who you ask. As they said, they're not trying to stop custom vehicles getting on the road, just trying to make sure the ones that do are safe & legal.
Good luck & keep us informed! ;)

I know desparate has riveted the one on his trike, like you say, they dont seem to kow much about the new rules, the guy asked for my receipts but ended up giving them back to me uncopied, i think he copied my license though.
i will be ringing my local vosa today to see about booking a test. Will let you know how i get on.

good result then Mick ;D as long as the inspector dont want to see yer shed floor ;D you'll be ok :)

 ;D ;D Good job they dont test sheds ;D,
been on to vosa, they said my local test place has a 4 day wait for testing but, it takes about 4 weeks to process the application, so thats going in the post today with a check for £78 :( so no shows this year.

hmm :( still you'll have all of next yers shows :)

OOh yes :) :) just frustrating knowing ive a perfectly good finished bike in my shed that i wont be riding for at least another month. :(

 ;D got my test date, next monday.
got my insurance sorted £150.00 notes for chop with no reg , (only chassis number) and my wifes 125 that im using for work.
Insurance has wrote to me and said, i have 30 days to get a reg sorted or my policy will be cancelled. sounds a bit harsh but i have enough time (fingers crossed) :)

nice one Mick ;D

Just seen your trike in 100%, looking good mate, anymore progress?

Fingers crossed for you Mick but I don't think you'll need any luck.  ;)

Had the s ame thing last year with the Beach Bastard. Took 8 weeks from SVA to Getting number plate. Insurance company wanted Reg number to issue new certificate and DVLA wanted new insurance cert cos the original one had run out because they f*&ked up the registration.

Eventually DVLA backed down.

Don't let that put you off cos this year the same process on new trike took just 8 days from SVA to riding it with a tax disc on  it!!!!  ;D

Thanks andy,
but why does it always feel like your going to the headmasters office? :)

did you find they were ok, or a bit picky, i always imagine them to be the swotty kids from school with massive forheads, tutting and scribbling on their clip boards :)

off for test today, will post on how it goes later.

Best of Luck (not that you need it I'm sure)

Fingers crossed for you here.

So.....?

What happened?  (must be in the pub celebrating or drowning his sorrows)

Failed :'( :'(..... But not on anthing difficult to put right,
15 points of failure
8 of them were wiring not secured (on all temp stuff like indicators)
2 for loose nuts
2 brake pipes not secure/chaffing
front tyre type mismached with rear, it is biased belted but not front
mirrors do not have a 2mm min radius on mirror side
no side light in h/light.
everything else fine, just like a more involved mot. guy was really helpfull, but really thorough,
only part i need to buy is a biased front tyre :)
hope to be back early next week, ;)

That's good then isn't it?
All easily curable I presume. How secure does the wiring & brake pipes have to be? Secured every 6 inches for example? I'm wondering about my trike's front brake hose, from the caliper to the headstock. Also the throttle cable.
At least once it's sorted you'll have the satisfaction of knowing it'll pass any examination & be totally legit. Combined commiserations & congratulations.  :(  :D

Thanks and thanks andy, yes its good news on the whole, i was gutted it failed in five minutes of getting there, but nothing major or structural.
the main point on the brake pipes, was that i used one piece braided hoses from caliper to master cylinder, and as they passed the top yoke, they were just swinging loose due to me changing the bars again for some i made which pull back further,
they were rubbing on the shock as it moved and one rubbed on the speedo, sloppyness on my part really.
the guy said stand off brakets would surfice. The wiring was a similar story, the guy said no photo's without inside the building without written permision from vosa so heres a couple from outside ;)
bike in loaned van (thanks shaun)
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa219/FLC_photo/svaready001.jpg)
vosa carpark dont she look orriblein her legal clothes :)
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa219/FLC_photo/svaready003.jpg)

(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa219/FLC_photo/svaready004.jpg)

Love those funky indicators! They should knock 10mph off your top speed just by their weight & the wind-drag they create!
I notice you've got a cable lock wrapped around the frame -was that sufficient to count as an immobiliser? I was looking at fitting an electronic alarm, but don't really want to if I don't have to -just something else to go wrong, (a bad experience with the one on my Speed Triple packing up Alarming Problem (http://mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/Misc/alarm.htm)).
I've also yet to find any mirrors that are MSVA friendly, though I'm sure Dracken can flog me a suitable pair. I've welded 10mm mounts into my bars for them but will fit bar-end mirrors after the test.
Chris Ireland & the Brit Chopper crew took his Indian trike for it's MSVA & they shut the test centre to all other applicants for the day -wonder if we've got enough clout to get some photos of the testing procedure?

Much respect to Mr Ireland, but hardly fair on Mr Bloggs who spent 2years on his first build only to be told his appointment had to be cancelled and could he come back tomorro.
Mr Mankey.....still one of the common people........good job too

We said exactly the same thing. Not down to BritChopper though. It was VOSA/DVLA's decision. They sent their top man down to oversee the test when they heard it was going in the magazine. I guess that's good though -at least they care what the biker in the street thinks. Open & helpful. They could've been a lot more officious & bureaucratic if they'd wanted to be.
          Manky -a Monkey of the people & common as muck.  :P

Ahh, so there is gonna be a write up on the whole pocedure, so presumable permission had to be obtained beforehand and advance notice given, now that makes more sense  ;D

Yup, it's in the new issue apparently, which is going to press as we speak.

the indicators wont effect performance fom inside my dustbin ;)
yes the cable lock was thought sufficient, i think it will stay on, its out of the way and not rattling on any paintwork,
as for mirrors the guy told me any new bike should be fitted with E marked mirrors, or fitting permenant edging i.e well glued with a min 2mm rad will pass also

So the lock doesn't have to be permanently attached to the vehicle?

Hi andy , the guy said, "what method of preventing unauthorised use do you have",then he spots the lock and checked it had a key, and said "yes its permenantly attached"  and pulled it to see if it was locked, and said " yes thats fine" was expecting him to ask me to demonstrate it, but he was happy. so yes and they are about £2 at most sh*t carboot sales ;D

That'll do me then. I was thinking maybe one end would have to be welded to the frame or something.
Preventing unauthorised use? Would someone stood next to the vehicle armed with a big stick do?   :P

Works for me!

I think the stick or the peron has to be attached in some way? then you would have to provide toilet and wash facilitys.......... i would just stick to a lock and chain ;) :) :) :)

pet rotty??


Oh and Issue 14 ( vol2 issue 2) Brit Chopper is out now......I think Sooze did the organising of the test for Desperate as she works closely with the officialdom to try and promote harmony between builders and officials, and what she don't know about the regs ain't worth knowing...so it wasn't a case of putting anyone else out, as as for Desperate , there is no more common beast than he.....have you not seen his welding slippers and shorts !!

eurrgh, im getting flash backs, from when he was going to sell his toenails on ebay,  ::) :)

Back for retest 3pm, im allowed to ride it there :), its about an hour away hoping all goes well, will post result on friday,  ;D ;D

Good luck.  :)

all the best Mick, im sure it will fly through

Thanks folks, well.............






 its passed ;D wot a buzz riding it down there was. ran out of gas on way home ::) about 5 miles from my house. but a top day all in. onto dvla for an inspection tommorrow. i will post more later.

Congrats  ;D It's a buzz when you pass the MSVA. Done it a few times and it still a real hit when you get told.............yep that'll do!

Well done!

Yeah, congratulations Mick!
So now I'm confused -MSVA gives you the registration number/logbook? What does the DVLA inspection do?

Well done you deserve it.  ;D

Thanks folks its made all the grief/fun all worth it ;D
the msva is a safety/construction inspection bit like an mot and you get a certificate,

(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa219/FLC_photo/svatestcert001.jpg)
the dvla bit is for the reg/log book etc.
the dvla need to see this cert, a v55, a pile of dosh, your license, a cuddly toy, a D.N.A sample, oh and a vehicle ;D
(only kidding about some of those) am just about to ring for an inspection, will let you know how i get on 8)

booked monday morning, fingers crossed again, then reg plate made, then mot then jump through some hoops.

"Make -FLC"   ;D

s'good init  ;D

Well went for the dvla inspection (had to take it in a van) and it passed  ;D they only really interested in the paper work side, the inspection was frame/chassis no's and a few questions i had to pay £55 for reg fee and 6months tax £36.50, i think, i did take my receipts/bank statement and a v55/5 also a v627, i hate forms but they was ok, didnt get pulled on owt anyway, also managed to get an mot pass on the way home ;D another £28 something,
just need a reg plate and im off.

Aint no stopping him now la la la  ;D

Congratulations Mick!
So did you have to show receipts for the parts used in the build? Also is your VIN plate rivetted to the frame? I was told by the girl on the desk at Wimbledon, (our local DVLA office), that the numbers had to be stamped directly into the frame. I haven't been able to talk directly to an inspector, but hoping she's wrong cos my frame's already painted.

I gave the guy reciepts for frame tube/plate etc and one for the motor/wheels they were in amonst a load of other paper work so am not sure if he even looked at them, it all was very informal, i spoke to the guy when he ishued my vin and he was very aproachable,
yes the vin was on a piece of copper plate with the smallest numbers i could find, and rivited to the axle plate.
I would ask to speak to the inspector him/herself if you are in any doubt. I did to clear up some questions i had, he was very patient and helpfull. When i went in, the girl at the desk just went to fetch him (saying i dont handle that, i will fetch the guy that does)

Been to work on it today ;D all the stress is now forgoten, :) what a feeling ;D

Piccies of it finished & out in the real World please!  :)

well done Mick ;D and with the weather as it is atm you may get a few sunny days yet m8 ;D

good job that man  ;)

thanks chaps, been out today with my youngest(8) for a run when we got back she says "thats the most fun bike ive been on" bless makes it all worthwhile, top day.

So ...where are the photos?!

 :-[ :-[ didnt take camera :-[

D'oh!

Well its been a mad week. monday rained on way home and bike started missing, by the time i was home its on 2 pots, and speedo cable had fell out at speedo end (must have been off for a few miles ) the nut had ground completely away ::).
 spent most of tuesday trying to sort it, bike still wouldn't run on all 4, had to use wifes 125 weds.
 today i changed NEW plugs on dodgy pots and now it runs fine, i also spotted my tax disc is missing :o
clutch started slipping on way home too (maybe cos i used sinthetic oil?)
But what a buzz so much fun.
heres a couple of pics, at work 12 oclock tonight
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa219/FLC_photo/bikeatwork007.jpg)
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa219/FLC_photo/bikeatwork011.jpg)

Aah, the joys of teething troubles! Can't wait till I'm at that stage. Looking good mate.  ;)