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SVA tips
dozracing - 30/5/07 at 08:07 PM

Not sure if these have been published on here before, but, i came across some new info to me, at a recent test.

According to my inspector, if your speedo works off the front wheels (like a Caterham) then they have no means to test it and can't fail it.

Also reversing lights are optional so if you don't fit one its not a failure.

You can have bald tyres if you want so long as they meet the required speed rating (don't get that one myself).

I'm sure there was something else but i've forgotten it temporarily. Thought the speedo was very interesting and i shall be using this method in future.

DG

meany - 30/5/07 at 08:29 PM

re: speedo.

i was told this by a westy owner who had just passed its sva.

but you do need a calibration certificate.

flange nut - 30/5/07 at 08:34 PM

Interesting, I've heard that unless you have documentary proof that your front wheel driven speedo is accurate, you fail.

billynomates - 30/5/07 at 09:34 PM

Not sure if this is relevant, but bike speedo's used to be driven off the front wheel, so that goes against the "speedo from a driven wheel" theory.

iank - 30/5/07 at 09:42 PM

It's a practical limitation of the equipment they use that means driving the speedo from a non-driven wheel is problematic at the test.

Whether they can fail it or not I'm not so sure about - not got the manual in front of me.

marc n - 30/5/07 at 10:22 PM

speedo reading has to be verified reading acurately by a automotive garage by means of gps or similar i was told by the man at newcastle. most modern gauges are a doddle to setup anyhow put in tyre circumferance no of magnets / triggers diff ratio and jobs a goodun, if you are on bike clocks then the speedo healer even tells you how to programme it

westf27 - 30/5/07 at 11:30 PM

useful info

zetec - 31/5/07 at 05:30 AM

Agree with Chris, I know the test is a pain in the arse in some respects, but it's there for my safety as much as anything.

02GF74 - 31/5/07 at 08:00 AM

quote:
Originally posted by dozracing

According to my inspector, if your speedo works off the front wheels (like a Caterham) then they have no means to test it and can't fail it.



not sure about that one. mine was driven off the rear wheels but failed due to the equipement - 2 rollers insted off one so I had diff action going.

Having an accurate speedo will say you money on speeding fines so it would be foolish not to have one.

I had to go to rolling road where they did speed measurment and presented just the paper to get my MAC.

speedyxjs - 31/5/07 at 08:43 AM

I didnt think a speedo was 'required' for SVA

Guinness - 31/5/07 at 12:28 PM

Speedo is a requirement for SVA.

Mine is / was mounted on the front wheels at SVA in Newcastle.

I drove the car so the front wheels went onto the rollers, he strapped it down and sat in the car. He then started the rollers spinning using a remote control in his hand. 30-40-50-60-70mph with the car shaking a bit and the front wheels going like the clappers.

Then he failed me 'cause I was 1mph under at 70mph! (Forgot to disable the accelerometer on the VR2, which was confusing the readings, wheel going round quick but car sitting still!).

So some VOSA stations can test front wheel speedos!

Doz is right about the reverse light (in fact reverse is optional for a BEC!), and the bald tyres.

Cheers

Mike