MOT checks - a couple of questions

[Buzz]

Afternoon...

I got my '03 Fazer in January and as the MOT is due in a few weeks was going through the checks listed in the Haynes manual.  The only 2 things that came up were these: -

1) "Check that the rear brake torque arm is secure and that its fasteners are secured by self-locking nuts or castellated nuts with split-pins or R-pins" - I can't be sure these are nylon lock nuts but as the bike previously passed all its other MOTs and the nuts looks like they've been on since the bike was made I'm sure it's OK.  Anyone else had any problems with this, any way to check the nuts to verify?

2) "With the wheel off the ground, apply the brake then free it off, and check that the wheel is able to revolve without brake drag" - There is a slight hiss of the pads touching the disc when the brakes are off i.e. the wheel isn't totally free but will spin about 2 times with a push.  There's "drag" but it's very minimal and there's obviously no actual braking taking place in normal riding conditions.  Are the pads meant to be completely free of the disc or is this slight "hiss" acceptable?

Cheers...Buzz

[AdieR]

Brake torque arm - if you have locknuts, they'll have a (usually blue) insert in the thread (it'll be quite obvious), further nylocs aren't hexagonal across their full width, but are machined round on the insert side.

As for the brake test, its gets tested on a roller for brake effort, as for the drag, it's not something I'd worry about. If your brakes were dragging or binding, you'd know via your fuel consumption.

[red98]

you will always get a little bit of drag with disc brakes as pads always just touching ....i dont think you have anything to worry about.put it in for an mot and let us know how you get on 

[limax2]

 
 With a good push, two revolutions on the front is about as much as you can expect (unless you are Superman!). On the rear you might only manage one free revolution due to the extra drag of the chain.

[limax2]

Correction to my previous post.
Did a quick check this evening and with a good firm push I can spin the front wheel three and a half revolutions and the rear (with freshly oiled chain) two and a half revs.
P.S. I'm no Superman but I did give it my best shot.

[Dead Eye]

Where do people test this? Aka palm of hand on tyre, both hands on the rim or grab a spoke and give it yank... obviously different methods will yield different results.

I mostly ask because there is no way I will get my rear to go two and a half turns using the palm of my hand :P

[red98]

a lot depends on chain tension / condition , as long as the wheel turns freely with just a little resistance thats fine.....whens the mot ? 

[Buzz]

Put it in last night for the test this morning, should hear in a few hours.


As this was the first MOT I'd ever had, car, bike or otherwise, I thought I'd pay for a "Pre MOT check".  Looks like my hard-earned cash got me exactly 2 mins of the workshop grease-monkey's time kicking tyres, pulling wheels, whistling, sucking air through his teeth then delivering the verdict "yeah that'll pass".


Thanks, I could've told you that for less than the £1,050/h you just charged me.  Deffo no more "Pre MOT checks" for me in the future.

[Dead Eye]

a lot depends on chain tension / condition , as long as the wheel turns freely with just a little resistance thats fine.....whens the mot ? 

That is a very good question... I can't remember but I'm sure I have the document somewhere. Its around September I think

I would suggest there is more than a "little" resistance. Pretty sure the chain needs a good clean, but not entirely sure on what to do in that respect. I do try to make sure that I spray it with Chain Lube and the chain and sprockets were new as of last November.

[Buzz]

Well mine just passed with no advisories...so it looks like the nuts were locknuts and it doesn't matter if the pads are touching the discs.


A happy weekend's riding is now in store for me (and the missus )

[red98]

pads are meant to touch    another year till next one...nice feeling

[limax2]

Where do people test this? Aka palm of hand on tyre, both hands on the rim or grab a spoke and give it yank... obviously different methods will yield different results.

I mostly ask because there is no way I will get my rear to go two and a half turns using the palm of my hand :P

[limax2]

Hit the post button by mistake, will try again!

Where do people test this? Aka palm of hand on tyre, both hands on the rim or grab a spoke and give it yank... obviously different methods will yield different results.

I mostly ask because there is no way I will get my rear to go two and a half turns using the palm of my hand :P

I did it with the palm of my hand on the tread part of the tire and gave it a good yank. Being careful that my hand didn't disappear between the tire and the hugger! With the front I had the forks supported on a paddock stand so it was nice and firm and did the same.
I was a bit surprised how free the front was (3 1/2 revs) because when I fitted new pads a while back I could only manage about two revolutions.
 
 
Congratulations Buzz on the pass. 

[Dead Eye]

Yeah turns out the resistance must have been a figment of my imagination.

Tested yesterday and got 1 1/2 turns fairly easily, so no cause for alarm