FAQ: ULEZ charge and how it effects you!

[mtread]

Even old 2 strokes can pass the NOx test!


https://www.visordown.com/news/general/p...y0-_HUft1k


Time to bring out the H1 

[YamFazFan]

H1's are exempt anyway having the 40+ year 'Historic Vehicle' status.


The link says that the two stroke bikes passed the NOx test, but it doesn't mention anything about the CO2 levels. Did they pass those?.


If the two stroke bikes easily passed the test fully, then I'd expect ANYTHING to get through :rolleyes .


I bet there's more to this than the story lets on

[YamFazFan]

The link says that the two stroke bikes passed the NOx test, but it doesn't mention anything about the CO2 levels. Did they pass those?.

Apparently they only test for NOx, so surely anything can pass if those bikes did? :rolleyes

[mtread]

Apparently they only test for NOx, so surely anything can pass if those bikes did?

Perhaps they couldn't read the dial for all the smoke 

[pezos]

So I too asked Yamaha if they could give me any NOX info so I could apply for an exemption for my '02 fzs600. The NOX limit for TfL exemption is 0.15g/km, You can see from their reply below that they reckon it might be slightly over if compared to 'similar' bikes.

From Yamaha:


[size=inherit]Thank you for your enquiry.[/size]We do however regret to advise that only models constructed to comply with European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, regulations that were not fully introduced until 2003, will qualify for a CoC.Due to the age of your machine it was not subject to European Whole Type Approval testing, in this instance we can only advise the NOx output for the Model code, therefore a machine of that model of a similar age, which was 0.185 (g/km).[size=11pt]We apologise we are not able to be of assistance.[/si

[b1k3rdude]

So after yet more research I found out which government dept to contact to go about getting my bike/s (2006 GSF1200 and 2005 FZS1000) tested to obtain my own EWVTA Certificate of Conformity. I emailed said dept enquiries@vca.gov.uk  and got the following reply -

Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for your email enquiry dated 18 August 2019, concerning the above.

The Certificate of Conformity comes from the manufacturer.
Although DVSA carry out the MSVA testing (as we have the facilities to do so) we cannot make a decision on which vehicles require the testing prior to registration. The DVLA are the authority who will register the bike so it is their decision what paperwork (if any) will need to be submitted to them to allow registration to occur as multiple methods can be used (be it MSVA certificate, Certificate of Conformity etc).

The DVLA email service can be found here -

- 0300 790 6801 for drivers queries.
- 0300 790 6802 for vehicle queries.

To be able to permanently register a motorcycle, quad or trike, that is less than 10 years old in the UK  with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) , you must either provide proof of European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) obtained from the manufacturer, or put the vehicle through a Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) test.

You can find the MSVA application form here and you can view the fees for the MSVA test here.

Kind regards,

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency | The Ellipse, Padley Road, Swansea, SA1 8AN

------------------------------------------------------
From: bikerdude
Sent: 18 August 2019 12:39
To: enquiries@vca.gov.uk
Cc: Enquiries <Enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk>
Subject: ECWVTA and COC - how to obtain for Motorcycle

To the VCA & VLSA,

I own a 2005 Yamaha FZS 1000 motorcycle that I learned a few years after purchasing it, that it was originally a US model imported into the UK.  How do I go about getting CoC certificate from yourselves for my motorcycle as stated near the top of the page on the following government website –

-  https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/moto...e-approval

I am having to email my inquiry as the above page doesn’t state or link to anywhere where or how to get the CoC for an imported vehicle.

Kind regards

Now I looked at the MSVA application form and the webpage I downloaded it from and it doesn't state anywhere on that form (typical government inter-dept failings) that the bike needs to be less than 10 years old, but as I don't have to pay anything upfront I have nothing to loose by trying to get both bikes tested.

b.

[mtread]

If you read the thread in the FZS1000 forum, you'll see Yamaha will let you have a CoC (for £60) showing your bike has a NOx level that is exempt. Then you just send it to TFL....

[b1k3rdude]

If you read the thread in the FZS1000 forum, you'll see Yamaha will let you have a CoC (for £60)

I believe this is only on bikes manufactured in europe, mine is a US import that was converted to UK spec.

Got a link to the above thread?

[mtread]

I seem to remember Dazza's was the same


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,24907.0.html

[Stormbringer]

Just Checked mine and it meets the emission standards for ULEZ.

[b1k3rdude]

have updated the OP.

[b1k3rdude]

So just paid Yamaha £65 for a CoC for my 2007 FZ1. The date of registration in the UK was the 11th of May, 3 weeks before TFL's arbitrary date of 1st of June.

[darrsi]

Here you go, what we all need to know, Riverbank Motorcycles just replied to me:


"...A 2000 FZS 600 will test around 0.30 gm/KM as standard. The quickest solution is to fit a small suitable catalytic converter into the exhaust system before the test, which would ensure a pass result. This catalytic converter will not effect your power in any way. The suitable cat would be £125, the fitting (approx.) £60 and test £175 making a total of £360. Any brand of fuel is fine, as long as it hasn't been sitting in the tank longer than 6 weeks maximum. Ggenerally when it's busy we have a 2 week lead time, you can book via the website."

[b1k3rdude]

Its great that you can get this done, but Riverbank really is taking advantage of the situation. £60 labour to remove the end can (2 bolts and 5 mins off and on) and wedge the cat into the end of the link pipe is a joke. On top of cost of the cat and then the farcical £175 test fee?!.

If you check out the Visordown article, an RD250 & 350 (both 2 strokes) supposedly passed at 0.03 gm/KM - https://www.visordown.com/news/general/proof-ulez-farce

So before spending all the money, do as Gnasher suggested and give Yamaha a call to check the emission figure for your bike, if its under 0.15 then all it will cost you is £60 for a Certificate of conformity which you then upload along with a copy of the first page of your V5 on the TFL website -

- https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge

You dont even need to put you full/real details in, as all your doing is getting the bike onto their database to prove the bike is compliant (see attached) after which I see no reason you can't delete the account.

[darrsi]

How would Yamaha know what the emissions your bike is chucking out 20+ years after it was built though?
I thought that was the point of the test, plus what i've read several times, in that each bike would be different due to age, mileage, wear and tear, and more importantly how well each bike has been looked after over a long time?
So effectively all of our bikes would give out a different result due to the above reasons, wouldn't they?


The RD350 that passed was just one bike of that model that has had more replacement parts than Triggers broom, and is in showroom condition, it didn't pave the way for all of them to pass, which would be the same for Fazers, or any model of bike for that matter. (article here www.bikerandbike.co.uk/1985-motorbike-gets-ulez-exemption-with-a-nox-test )
It was also the same owner that owned the TDR250 too that passed with a very similar ridiculously low reading for a bike of such advanced years, so he obviously knew what he was doing. I'm still not sure exactly how he got them that low, but i really do believe that he fitted his own Cat. Converters beforehand and hasn't actually mentioned that important piece of info to anyone?


I totally agree about the charges though, i actually talked about this yesterday to a few friends about how they were abusing the situation and must be making an absolute mint out of it at the same time. Why they are currently the only bike shop in London officially listed to do this work is very puzzling too?


I was even going to hold off getting it done for a while, but then thought there is the real chance they could increase their prices even more from October if they wanted to, and would not be surprised in the slightest if they do.


My bike is actually booked in now to get sorted in a couple of weeks, and i keep telling myself that £360 is nothing compared to a daily tariff, fines through the post, or being forced to change a bike that i really don't want to get rid of, even if i do have that discerning feeling that i'm being ever so slightly mugged off.


I did just have a look on my V5 logbook and although there is a section for emissions it was not filled in at all.
And i also found a copy of an old Dyno reading when i had some work done on the bike years ago but there was nothing listed on there either.


I'm now going to look into contacting Yamaha on your advice and see what details they can offer me, before i take the plunge in a couple of weeks? But i can't imagine the news would be good, otherwise we'd all know about it by now, plus don't forget, the whole reason the FZS 600 range was discontinued was because they failed the emissions test back then, so i can't see why a used bike that is between 18 to 23 years old should suddenly pass now, unless like the RD350 it has been rebuilt to mint condition and had a few tweaks here and there, and more than likely a secret Cat. Converter slipped into the end can on the quiet. 

[mtread]

So before spending all the money, do as Gnasher suggested and give Yamaha a call to check the emission figure for your bike, if its under 0.15 then all it will cost you is £60 for a Certificate of conformity which you then upload along with a copy of the first page of your V5 on the TFL website -

But (as I said) Yamaha will give you a figure which is over the limit. Been there, done that.
NOX figures were only entered onto V5s later, so only the manufacturer can provide an official figure.
Of course individual bikes might give a lower NOX figure, especially if the mixture has been adjusted, such as with a non OE air filter. But then you need it individually tested, and for that you are at the mercy of the only approved testing workshop..... who have you by the short and curlies  :eek

[darrsi]

I have no reason to disbelieve him when he said that the FZS 600 averages around the 0.3 reading, because that totally fits with these bikes which were built around the years of Euro 2 compliance levels which at the time had an upper level of 0.5.

[b1k3rdude]

I totally agree about the charges though, i actually talked about this yesterday to a few friends about how they were abusing the situation and must be making an absolute mint out of it at the same time. Why they are currently the only bike shop in London officially listed to do this work is very puzzling too?

I'm now going to look into contacting Yamaha on your advice and see what details they can offer me, before i take the plunge in a couple of weeks?

Maybe because he has a family member that works for TFL.

It cant hurt.

[darrsi]

Here's one solution:

https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/el...aha-fazer/

[darrsi]

I did contact Yamaha by email, and they replied asking for my VIN/chassis number, etc, which i sent back to them, then they never responded again!
I just sent them another email with the same details.