Motorcycle MoT Test Preparation - A Detailed Guide

[@darronjknight]

It is a scary day when you look around and realise that YOU and your mates are the grown-ups!

[@MrIvor69]

WAIT UNTIL YOU GET CALLED AN "elder Statesman of motorcycling"

[@bittertruth6575]

Very interesting. You know, even if your not getting it ready for an MOT test, that checklist is good for someone who's out to buy a bike. It's a comprehensive list of quick checks you can do and potentially get a bit knocked off the asking price.

[@mpersad]

Your opinion on maintaining a bike or car or any vehicle above the requirements of passing the MOT is something that I have bored my siblings and children with for years! It is so important that new riders and drivers take this onboard. Great video!

[@offgrid7837]

I quite agree about roadworthiness standards. I always take my vehicles to the strictest tester because I'd sooner find faults in the workshop rather than upside down in a ditch at midnight.

[@bolton368]

Linux mint on the laptop. Good man

[@chriswills9530]

I agree with you about most m/c mirrors, but I was tempted to try some bar-end ones, some time back, and they are great - give good vision, undistorted, from a small round lens and fix into the bar ends neatly. They show a view under your elbow and only cost £10 a pair, or thereabouts. I only fit one, to the o/s, as that's all I need and with 2 fitted, you do have a tighter squeeze when filtering.

[@tinkertime7165]

Nice one Max. Wheel alignment shows in not wanting to turn in one direction as well as the other! Easy check is with a straight edge (plank of wood is perfect). Hold against the edge of the rear tyre and with the front wheel straight ahead you should see a small gap between the plank and tyre at both points . Check the gap is the same on the other side. This is half the difference between the width of the rear tyre to the front tyre. Adjust any misalignment at the rear wheel. I’ve only ever done it once... on my daughters recently purchased bike as on a test ride it nearly threw me in the ditch!

[@MartsGarage]

Well done, Max. Good solid video. And the pass at the end was the icing on the cake. I'm not a biker but always have a sigh of relief when the car passes. Understanding what they are going to look at certainly helps a lot. All the best, Mart.

[@KeiteiVentures]

Great video, will be doing this before my next MOT ☺

[@stevewright399]

Great video! Just what I needed. I'm having a mid life crisis and just bought a Kawasaki GPZ900R (1985) after having not ridden a bike since the 90's! It doesn't have an MOT so this has been a real life saver as to the prep required to get it road worthy. Just taken a quick look at the other stuff you do as well, looks really interesting and will be checking out your other stuff!

[@maximusironthumper]

Cheers Steve, good luck with the bike - I hope you get on the road in time for summer!

[@grahamyoudell4105]

Absolute love watching your videos... i think your a very genuine man doing amazing stuff.... id love to see a day in the life of Maximus... keep the sgows coming ... youll be snapped up by the Major channels one day....😊

[@woody2run]

I find the easiest way to check the wheel alignment is to: using two G cramps pinch two straight pieces of wood/metal, to the rear wheel rim one on each side of the rear wheel as high as you can, parallel to the ground and extending to just passed the front wheel. You can do this with the bike on the side stand and then once they are cramped on to the rear wheel lift the bike off the stand and check at the front wheel that when the front wheel is parallel to the wood it is also in the centre and adjust the rear wheel in the chain tensioners accordingly. PS if the tire protrudes out more than the rim tape two packers to each piece of wood/metal to make up the difference.

[@allenhuling598]

Great video, Max, thanks for taking the time to film it in such detail. I'm riding a new bike now, but still have my 21 year old DR 350. Those older bikes definitely need a good looking-over on a regular basis to keep them legal, and safe! Cheers for a very different, and safe 2021!

[@duncanandrews6727]

I got little aftermarket mirrors under a tenner, for the Handel-bar-ends. Useful !

[@stephengent9974]

In the US testing of vehicles is regulated at state level. In my own state ( Illinois) there is NO required test for cars. In some states the test is only every three years. This explains all the wrecks on the roads here and the poor alignment of headlights. My own main Honda dealer does not have any headlight aligning equipment.

[@willtricks9432]

I sort of like and loath that system at the same time. Cheers

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Florida and Tennessee have no requirements either. Ironically, studies found the effect of inspections on traffic accidents was found to be minimal even though the number of structural defects discovered through those inspections was not insignificant. People may tend to drive within the abilities of their vehicles despite defect?

[@VeyronBD]

@@blacksquirrel4008 Yes, that and major vehicle components are incredibly reliable, brakes for example will work "well enough" to stop even without any brake material left on them same with tyres and at that point any sane person no matter how vehicle illiterate they may be would be driven mad or worried by the feel or the noises it'd be making. Really it comes down to common sense. Here in Europe there is somewhat a lack of personal responsibility and people will blame the government for not telling them to fix their bald tyres when they spin off the road instead of seeing it as their own problem.

[@grenvillephillips6998]

Allen Millyard used the material they use to make faux coals in a gas fire as an insulator on a hot exhaust and it worked very well.

[@dizheller2101]

Thanks for that! I'm in the process of restoring a 1984 VT500C Shadow. The list (downloaded straight away!) will come in very handy! - Merry Xmas! :)

[@flatbrokefrank6482]

A good reminder of what's required - Stay safe

[@edgeeffect]

Knew it was good news when I saw you riding back from the testing station. :) Loving the wheel spoke gamelan. ;)

[@spungletrumpet]

It's definitely been the 'season' for MOT tests! Glad the bike is all up together - One more thing ticked off the list! :)

[@markyoung5608]

Nice video. The uneven brake pad wear at the front could indicate that the sliding pins in the caliper aren't moving freely. This would also explain the slight drag you observed on the front wheel.

[@malcolmyoung7866]

A great video I have never been present when my bike has been MOT'd (living in Spain for 10.5 years...) last time it got done was 2016 IIRC it has been parked up since then and now resides in my garage minus its carbs, tank and a few other bits...The mice have been playing in it...Anyhoo that's one for the near (ish) future..

[@paulriggers1558]

forgive me for skipping some of the middle bits - i ve got a mot licence and the bits i watched were spot on, which i new they would be anyway. i pray for a dry winter so you can get on with the outside 4 + 6 wheeled projects. take care + happy christmas

[@jonnoMoto]

I've bought one of those cheap scissor tables with wheels. Life changing. In a tiny garage it makes moving around the bike about so much easier than the Mx-type stand I used to use. My bike only weighs 95kg so I'm not sure how it'd work with the xt600 heft. For the wheel bearing and checking rumbling, an MOT tester showed me how to do it. With the wheel of the ground, spin it with one hand touching the axle. You'll feel bearings that are on the way out because they may not have any play.

[@willtricks9432]

I bought one for mowers etc and it's great, also adjustable height so you cansit down for some things. Also works as a big welding table. Cheers

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Maximus, An interesting video... Pleased to hear the bike passed its MOT... I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year... Cheers Paul,,

[@rogerbradbury9713]

It's best to measure the tread depth in a few place around the tyre; they never seems to wear completely evenly and S@d's law will mean you'll measure it at the deepest spot, believe it's okay, and it isn't. I also try not to run tyres down to 1mm tread depth, even though it'll pass an MOT I'd prefer a little more tread depth. Regarding wheel alignment, I had a problem on one bike with the forks not pointing straight ahead, when the bike was going straight ahead. This is a good clue that the alignment is off, and it was caused by slightly bent forks and a top yoke that puzzlingly measured a millimetre narrower than the bottom one.

[@Bouwentjes]

We do not have an MOT test for motorbikes in the Netherlands. That will come some day I guess, most likely due to aftermarket exhaust noise… Friend of mine rides a Suzuki dr500s, even older than your bike. One time I tried it and took away his keys afterwards. That thing was a real deadtrap. I would not allow him to ride anymore. I fixed everything on that bike and then gave him back his keys.

[@marcusrcs1885]

Ty for the mot paper helped out so much I went fro the list I no my bike will pass but better safe then sorry xxxx

[@titchness8487]

That thought process of scraping it through the test is so true lol

[@Boatdog_Traveller]

Another great video. Actually looking forward to dragging my old c90 trail out of the unit to get her back on the road. Happy Christmas.

[@ShaunMurray63]

Very interesting video on the bike MOT and congratulations on the pass.

[@smokeybarr]

Great stuff. Did that last bit count as a motorvlog? And pleased to see the trusty clipboard make an appearance, it's been a while.

[@victorgoncalves2442]

Well done , nice detailed job . Stay safe

[@stina6762]

If their’s anyone still watching. Well done ! Classic Max ! 👍😂

[@andrewarcher880]

What a great video, very informative, long but very informative lol. Keep up the great content.

[@1981dasimpson]

riding in the rain been only transport we dont really get the option not to this video will be a great help as i always forget checks mines due in for mot next month

[@hmarc417]

Happy Christmas...

[@strongtheme]

you would make a very fair MOT tester. Good Video

[@resistantgeordie2636]

Thanks for vid! Just mot'd my 87 landy 90! Handbrake let me down... quick adjust and happy days!!👍😁

[@dustymiller7758]

Great vid again, very informative, good entertainment. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

[@allandoyle3555]

hi max ...in queensland we have one Mot when you first register a new car and then you just pay rego each year...in nsw where i use to live you had a mot every year...im sure your brother would ove mentioned what its like in australia....have you found in england that different mot places have different attitudes towards the test...i mean some check things to within a thousands of an inch and some are more layed back..

[@TheRamblingsofBry]

Stayed with you throughout, very interesting stuff, cheers.

[@bwebs956]

22:00 copyright claim 😅

[@calleolsen9359]

Merry Christmas 🎄 big guy and a happy new year 🥳 And let’s hope 2021 is a bit better ( not putting my money on it tho)

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

Very useful mate. Indepth and handy.

[@hazzalandy]

On wheel alignment- never ridden a motorcycle with it obviouly wrong but have ridden bicycles with the rear wheel out of whack, surprisingly un-noticeable

[@libertyauto]

Thanks for the video. I learned a couple of things.

[@dragontattooee]

Congrats on the pass

[@willtricks9432]

You spoiled it for everyone, no suspense now.

[@Mookiethedog]

Yes. This is an early Christmas gift

[@mickreid7153]

It looks a good solid bike, great vid.

[@paulbeaumont7485]

Excellent vijeo, now when’s it going up for sale? It needs to live in Worcestershire

[@bren106]

With the amount of rain over this year sailing is always possible when we're out on our bikes.

[@casto-]

Nicely explained max 👍. It’s been a few years since I’ve owned a bike, apparently I upgraded to a landy 🤣🙈.

[@thegit8698]

Those front forks could probably get away with either a heavier weight oil or more of the oil you put in rather than new springs, I had a pre Diversion yamaha xj 600 with soft front forks and I just put a heavier weight oil in, with wheel alignment i think that they mean is the rear wheel straight in the swingarm and is the front wheel evenly spaced in the front forks

[@peted7295]

Sounds like your headlight should have been fitted with an HS1 bulb originally, same fitting as an H4 but only draws 35 watts . They are still available.

[@bonnie8441]

Great informative video.

[@normfergus8472]

An educational video, thanks

[@brettstevens9677]

No inspection on motorcycles and they only check emissions on cars here in my state in the USA

[@marko-seta97]

Shouldn't the break pads wear evenly because of the floating brake caliper?

[@1981dasimpson]

no the floating calipers tend to bind up often with road grime

[@jwatkins5155]

Most pads car or bike will wear on one side faster than the other In my experience

[@davidbates247]

Great stuff thanks

[@motorcyclewild5873]

Cheers for the links fella

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

Nice bike keep posting updates up

[@popuptoaster]

MOT very stressful when you have a 20 year and 240,000 miles, rusty old Mercedes as your daily driver, I forgot mine and got told off by Mr Plod so 2 hours later with no mental preparation time I was in the waiting room listening to them running it for a really long time as they emissions tested it. 🙄🤣

[@1981dasimpson]

i noticed when they do mots they dont sit on them so they dont bump the front with break to feel that click of movement they lift the bike and grab the front at the wheel axle and see if they is any movement reminds me need to do mine but have to take handle bars off to get at the top yoke bolt

[@moonshinepz]

And just after you get home it stops raining..... Every time.

[@1981dasimpson]

brake test can be done with a winch and a force guage

[@CarlJones14]

Well done, so much work to make this video. Such a shame that legislation doesn't keep up with developments like LEDs. 👍

[@darronjknight]

Led's are fine as long as they give the correct beam pattern. HID 'S are too bright

[@MrMannakin]

Head bearing sounds a little "notched" around the straight ahead position. I don't think it's MOT related but maybe something to check. I had that on my last bike.

[@1981dasimpson]

last years mot new to me bike import failed mot on the headlight beam he stuck abit of black tape on to make the light kick then passed it

[@TRISTANorTRIS]

Surprised the mot tester didn’t flag up that binding front brake, evident by uneven pad wear caused by seized floating calliper.

[@1981dasimpson]

if the chain lines up and does not catch teeth everything should be good unless the frame is bent

[@DrDaveWrestling]

What happened to all your original off grid how-to videos? Can't find them

[@simeonmihaylov6123]

Hey Max, great video, as always. I'm in looking for a good multitool, so I was curious what brand is yours? It looks good enough for my needs. Cheers.

[@maximusironthumper]

It's a leatherman surge

[@Equiluxe1]

As I understand it there is no safety test for vehicles in Mississippi US unless they have tinted windows.

[@RubenKelevra]

12:12 so I will convert my bike to candles. Much more pleasant for the eyes :)

[@davros517]

I would have thought the aux spot light would have to go off automatically when dipped beam was selected, suprised

[@marko-seta97]

Up here we don't have yearly MOT for motorcycles because of the short driving season

[@heavymetallife398]

repuplic of Ireland still has no mot for motorcycles, its up to the owner to keep it tip top

[@nothanks3462]

Same in France.

[@CookieMonster-go9zj]

Is there any sort of emissions test for more modern bikes or is it just noise levels?

[@Petey_TV]

Nice! 🙏

[@nosebluntbob7124]

do they check emissions and baffles/noise levels?

[@Thinguns]

can you do a car one? :P do you even own a car that needs an MOT?

[@machiningbasics1729]

Excellent

[@MK-us9bk]

@ Maximus Ironthumper Make a video about your workshop and its sliding door

[@julianthomson7398]

I thought dip beam had to be on when ignition was on. Or when riding.

[@krzysiekv12]

Not on old bike

[@christopherkise]

You've got a friend in me You've got a friend in me When the road looks rough ahead And you're miles and miles From your nice warm bed You just remember what your old pal said Boy, you've got a friend in me Yeah, you've got a friend in me.

[@danthetourist]

Great stuff dude 👏 👍 tar very much

[@Aidan.17]

Not here im AUS you have one roadworthy then that's it 👍

[@bcr07pzu]

nice hat. used to work on a ship by that name, became a bit of a symbol but i guess that would be a bit of a stretch

[@myleswhelan2385]

Over here in Ireland we have no mot for motorbikes thank god ha ha iv a xjr 1300 a great bike

[@johnlong3214]

👍🎄

[@Farlig69]

0:17 would you believe Norway doesn´t - not for bikes at least, cars etc yes but not bikes :)

[@arnaudecochard1630]

Same in France...for now...

[@PaulGappyNorris]

😂😂 no MOT in Eire or in France 😬

[@twocvbloke]

Simply put, all the information someone needs for MOT-prechecks is available, so there's no excuse for a fail if they check before they go, heck, they can even get a mechanic to do a pre-MOT if they feel flush too... :P

[@krzysiekv12]

You will often fail on nonsense and the garage will try and offer to fix it for you....

[@twocvbloke]

A tip I often see touted to avoid such dodgy practices, use a council depot MOT tester, they're legally bound to test cars and whatnot, and have no incentive to fail on a bulb being upside down, headlamp fluid leakage, or the exhaust bearings being worn... :P

[@krzysiekv12]

@@twocvbloke unfortunately none in Northamptonshire... I worked in the industry for a brief period, I saw enough

[@VeyronBD]

@@krzysiekv12 Yeah, they love to fail on "rusty" brake pipes and other similar things that most people won't think of checking or questioning.

[@krzysiekv12]

@@VeyronBD I had a garage fail a car on a 2 year old brake pipe, I replaced it and didn't question as it wasnt worth my time, but people get screwed over much worse

[@lisahodges8299]

May not be a good idea to show your registration number? Birdy

[@fragglepoop7185]

As a mechanic the number of people that come to wondering why thier car broke or needs parts when it was only motd a few months back 😂😂😂.. an mot is no guarentee of anything for a week. Let alone 12 months😂😂

[@jwatkins5155]

One thing I can't stand is people wineing about their vehicles failing MoT's as if it isn't their responsibility for the vehicles roadworthiness.

[@krzysiekv12]

Yeah better off getting the mot without bringing the car in, pass and no whining

[@simeonmihaylov6123]

@J watkins - Although I agree with you, the main issue is that in Germany we have TÜV and they are really picky sometimes, especially on diesel cars. Just to give you an example - an 80's Golf with petrol engine might pass way easier, meanwhile some Merc from 2010 is literally going through process of torture, because it's diesel. The last time some jackass decided to floor it for 3 minutes straight to check the emissions. Meanwhile on a petrol car there isn't flooring process involved at all. Now, thankfully I went with a warmed up engine, but the jackass obviously don't give a f, because it's not his car and if the engine dies - it's not his fault, because he was following the guidelines. I understand that this is his job, but flooring for 3 minutes? Really? Thankfully there is another "brand" for MOT in Germany called Dekra - there isn't any of that BS, basically a second to reach the full RPM and that's it. I know some of you might say that "it is because of the soot", now I really like going on the highway for 30 minutes or so to warm up the engine nicely before going to the MOT. So it's hardly this the reason. On the other hand - I completely agree that the maintenance is the responsibility of the owner of the car. I'm really tired of seeing faulty cars on the road with different malfunctions...

[@Trident-91]

I don’t even have a motorbike 😃🤦🏻‍♂️ But I do want LED lites now 🤔😵‍💫

[@garyz2043]

My bike is always on top form because it's me that rides it every day.I look after it, it looks after me. Simple. Car drivers have no idea of this, they can't even be bothered to keep the tyres inflated.

[@edkramer5592]

Seems to me that in the US, they look to pass a motorcycle, whereas in the disunited queendom ( uk), they aim to fail them, unless they are like new.