The best bit about my bike...no one can see!

I had to buy a new shock for my bike in order to pass its MOT test. I quickly found that monoshocks cost twice as much as a pair of twin shocks.
Why?

The shame of it is - apart from having to part with £130 - is that no one will be able to see it once I fit it.



Mot booked in for Monday, just need to fit it!

I suppose it could have been worse - the list price is £180 and the "Next shock up" is £280 cough!

 

That MOT inspection must be tough. You should explain what that entails for us Nomads on the other side of the Atlantic.

 

I suppose it is! The Ministry Of Transport test: ALL vehicles over 3 years of age must be inspected annually. This covers lights, brakes, steering, dampers /suspension, seatbelts (In a car!), bodywork, chassis corrosion, brake pipes, exhaust, wheel bearings, bodywork etc.

It's quite comprehensive! The test also covers emissions.

The good news I suppose is the older the vehicle, the less stringent some of the test is.

 

I'm a car and bike tester, emissions aren't checked on bikes (yet), although for cars its pretty strict! Have to be tested once a year at a cost or £30 pounds,or £55 for a car.

You can read whats tested here: http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/mc_contents.htm

 

Are you Tiff from the 5th gear program?

 

I wish I was!!

 

Stunning shock.

What was wrong with the old one? How do they go about testing shocks?

 

Markie did you pass the MOT? Are you able to ride now?

 

That sure is a pretty shock!!! I would carry this pick in my wallet and proudly show to other riders... seriously!! My favorite part(s) are the racing jets (older stage 5 kit) and 4 individual k&n's...

 

The damping was poor - so it could affect the handling - and hence safety.

to test, they press dowm firmly on the back of the bike. The suspension should come back up in a controled way and not like a pogo stick!

Almost! In the UK you need 4 things to ride:
1. Full bike licence. Got
2. Insurance. Got
3. MOT. Got (Think there must be something similar in the us/Canada?)
4. Road tax Getting on Wednesday. Road tax is a bit like "Registration".

EDIT: Of course in order to have the bike MOT'd you have to RIDE it there and there is nothing in the rules that says you cannot go the long way round to get there!

You need Insurance and an MOT to get "Vehicle excise duty" - tax in laymans terms. I think it is £48 for a year. Instead of a pressed plate made by prisoners, you get a small paper disc that gets soggy!!!



This is the problem - you cant see the shock!

Another EDIT. I actually found out that as long as you have the registration document ("Title") you can go on line and check all the old MOT tests your car or bike has had. Fortunately, no problems reported in my bikes history.

Lastly SWMBO was not happy when I bought the bike, not happy about how much time I spent in the garage and not happy about buying the shock for the bike.

She does, however, like the fact that it only takes 5 minutes for me to get home from work on it!! Women!

 

I'm not a lover of mono shocks, but your bike looks great.

 

Thank you (Will look better with a clean).

I can't help feeling that the 600 is a beginners 900 when I look at your bikes though!!

 

Markie, beautiful ride! Very very nice looking bike!

I just changed the fluids in my LT on Saturday and discovered the front shock is leaking. Who knows what BMW charges for OEM replacement but the Ohlins aftermarket replacements are $1499.00 for the pair (front and rear monos). Unlike the OEM parts the Ohlins are re-buildable.

Nuts!

 

I used to have a supervisor who had a special phrase that would be appropriate in a case like this! Can't really type it here though.

If i add the cost of buying the bike and all the parts as well as the shock I am still only looking at £600-650.

 

wamaxim, might want to try this place
http://www.beemerboneyard.com/index.html