Hardtail Help

[Shafty]

If I was to single top tube and hardtail a standard frame would I need to get MSVA?
 Can you still keep the VIN number and Reg?

I know a few people riding round on heavily modded bikes that are still registered and insured as standard. Is this very, very naughty??

[hunter]

If you modify the main loop of the frame,or weld on a rear section,you will have to MSVA The bike,
Standard front loop,and bolt on rear,i believe you can retain the original numbers.

[Shafty]

So same sort of thing as with the trikes. If I single top tube and hardtail then its MSVA with a new VIN and a Q plate.

[hunter]

I believe so

[Manky Monkey]

Yup, though I have to say I've never spoken to anyone who's MSVA'd a bike. Can't really be a lot to test can there? I'm interested cos I've got my own long term hardtail project bubbling away on the back burner.

[Shafty]

That's what I thought. How much can there be on a stripped down hardtail to check?

Would love to hear from anyone who has chopped a standard frame and gone through the process of getting it re registered and MSVA.

Someone in Manky Monkey World must have done this.

[Shafty]

Just been reading through the MSVA Inspection Manual, thorough aren't they. 

Been looking for info on side mounted rear light/plate. This is what i found..

"1. Check that there is provision for a space at the most practicable rearmost point of the vehicle for mounting a rearward facing rear registration plate or plates.
Note: Where the most practicable rearmost point for mounting the number plate is a “side mount” position check a duplicate space is fitted to the opposite side of the vehicle. (This is to comply with visibility requirements for rear registration plates.)"

.. Not sure what the visibility requirements are.

Found some more info...

Details Of Enquiry:
Some custom machines have rear number plate mountings on the side rather than
on the rear of the bike. Is this acceptable?
Answer:
If a vehicle is presented with a side mount it will need to have a matching mount on
the opposite side of the machine. This is to comply with visibility requirements for rear
registration plates. Any lamps (rear position, stop, registration plate) would also need
to be duplicated.
Answer Given By: MSVA Technical

 

[Manky Monkey]

Could be wrong, but I think you need to be able to see the lights & plate from 45 degrees to either side of the vehicle.
Did you find anything prohibiting hardtail frames?

[Shafty]

I may well email some questions to DVLA so will start a list of things we need to know.

I dont remember anything specific about hardtail frames.

This might be of interest to Andy as you're xs is chain drive.

Note. There are no requirements that make the fitting of a final drive chain/belt guard compulsory. However, where any chain or belt run operates above an imaginary line running parallel to the ground and tangent to the top of either wheel rim (depending on which wheel is driven) the belt/chain must be fitted with a guard such that persons either on or off the vehicle cannot contact the belt/chain. The upper drive sprocket/pulley should be fully enclosed to prevent entrapment between chain and sprocket or belt and pulley.
Open primary drives will require a guard protecting the side to prevent injury from protruding bolts and/or entrapment between the belt and pulleys. The belt run need not be covered. However, it should be pointed out to presenters that although a machine without a guard can pass MSVA it may still contravene C & U Regulation 100(1) (Maintenance and use of vehicle so as not to be a danger etc.) which states (abbreviated) A motor vehicle and all parts and accessories of such vehicle shall at all times be in such condition that no danger is caused or likely to be caused to any person in or on the vehicle or on a road.
2. Check the chassis frame giving particular attention to highly stressed parts of the vehicle, such as frame joints and connections, reaction brackets, assembly components (bolts, rivets, etc.) and attachment points (especially sidecars) for;
a) strength
b) inadequate welds
c) design characteristics likely to affect the steering, handling or braking of the vehicle

[spanners]

I may well email some questions to DVLA so will start a list of things we need to know.

I dont remember anything specific about hardtail frames.

This might be of interest to Andy as you're xs is chain drive.

Note. There are no requirements that make the fitting of a final drive chain/belt guard compulsory. However, where any chain or belt run operates above an imaginary line running parallel to the ground and tangent to the top of either wheel rim (depending on which wheel is driven) the belt/chain must be fitted with a guard such that persons either on or off the vehicle cannot contact the belt/chain. The upper drive sprocket/pulley should be fully enclosed to prevent entrapment between chain and sprocket or belt and pulley.
Open primary drives will require a guard protecting the side to prevent injury from protruding bolts and/or entrapment between the belt and pulleys. The belt run need not be covered. However, it should be pointed out to presenters that although a machine without a guard can pass MSVA it may still contravene C & U Regulation 100(1) (Maintenance and use of vehicle so as not to be a danger etc.) which states (abbreviated) A motor vehicle and all parts and accessories of such vehicle shall at all times be in such condition that no danger is caused or likely to be caused to any person in or on the vehicle or on a road.
2. Check the chassis frame giving particular attention to highly stressed parts of the vehicle, such as frame joints and connections, reaction brackets, assembly components (bolts, rivets, etc.) and attachment points (especially sidecars) for;
a) strength
b) inadequate welds
c) design characteristics likely to affect the steering, handling or braking of the vehicle

that make,s you /me  think about fan / alternator drive belts aswell 

[Shafty]

Seen a few parts from Cycle Haven that I'm after.
Do we have any MMM friendly contacts there? Like if we can get any discounts.

[Manky Monkey]

No discount as far as I know, but Nick & Angie at Cycle Haven are the nicest people you'll ever meet. I used to buy parts from them 20 or 30 years ago & bought all the bits for my XS650 project from them a year or so ago.