8/11/2020 2. Steering - MOT inspection manual: motorcycles - Guidance - GOV.

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MOT inspection manual: motorcycles

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-
agency)
Published:
20 May 2018
Updated:
30 October 2019, see all updates (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-motorcycles/updates)

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2. Steering
Mechanical condition, handlebar, forks and yokes and wheel alignment rules and inspection for
motorcycle MOT tests.

2.1. Mechanical condition

2.1.1. Not in use

2.1.2. Not in use

2.1.3. Steering linkage condition

To inspect motorcycles with steering linkage:

1. Hold the front wheel firmly between your legs.

2. Rock the steering side to side.
3. Assess any free play in the linkage.

You must distinguish relative movement due to excessive wear from relative movement due to built-in
clearance or spring loading of a joint.

The presence and effectiveness of some locking devices, such as locking fluid or ‘nyloc’ nuts, cannot be
easily determined. If it is not certain that a locking device is missing or ineffective, you must give the
benefit of the doubt.

Defect Category

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Defect Category

(a) A steering linkage component with:

(i) relative movement between components which should be fixed Major

(ii) excessive movement between components or likely to become detached Dangerous

(b) A steering ball joint:

(i) with excessive wear or free play Major

(ii) worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment Dangerous

(c) A steering linkage component:

(i) fractured or deformed Major

(ii) fractured or deformed to the extent that steering is affected Dangerous

(d) Steering linkage locking device missing or ineffective Major

(e) Not in use

(f) Steering linkage:

(i) with an unsafe modification Major

(ii) modified to the extent that steering is affected Dangerous

(g) Steering ball joint dust cover:

(i) damaged or deteriorated Minor

(ii) missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc. Major

2.1.4. Steering operation

To inspect a motorcycle’s steering operation:

1. With the wheels supporting the weight of the motorcycle, turn the steering from lock to lock.
2. Check that any adjustable steering damper is released before failing a motorcycle for excessively
stiff steering.

You can conduct a road test to determine if the stability or control is adversely affected. You must let the
motorcycle presenter know if the damper is released during the test.

Defect Category

(a) Steering linkage fouling any part of the motorcycle Major

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Defect Category

(b) Handlebar fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock Major

(c) Restriction in the movement of the handlebars from lock to lock Major

(d) A steering damper which is:

(i) insecure or ineffective Major

(ii) in such a condition that the steering action is adversely affected Dangerous

(e) Any fairing or leg shield impeding steering operation Major

2.2. Handlebar, forks and yokes

2.2.1. Handlebar condition

To inspect a motorcycle’s handlebar condition:

1. With the wheels supporting the weight of the motorcycle, grasp the handlebars by the grips.
2. Apply firm pressure to check for movement at the grips, clamps or any weakness of the handlebars
or fork yokes.

Handlebars on some machines are rubber mounted. You might detect some movement when applying
firm pressure to handlebars secured in this way.

Defect Category

(a) Handlebar mounting:

(i) insecure Major

(ii) so insecure that steering is adversely affected Dangerous

(b) Handlebar:

(i) retaining device missing or loose Major

(ii) so insecure it is likely to become detached Dangerous

(c) Handlebar:

(i) fractured, excessively deformed or excessively corroded

Major
(ii) fractured, deformed or corroded to the extent that steering is adversely affected or
Dangerous
detachment likely

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Defect Category

(d) Handlebar grip:

(i) missing Major

(ii) insecure to handlebar Dangerous

2.2.2. Forks and yokes

To inspect a motorcycle’s forks and yokes:

1. Check that the lower steering head bearings are adjusted correctly and are in good condition by
turning the handlebars from lock with the front wheel on the ground.
2. Check that the upper steering head bearings are adjusted correctly and are in good condition by
turning the handlebars from lock with the front wheel raised clear of the ground.
3. Apply the front brake and push the handlebars forward to check the head bearings for excessive
free play.

To inspect a lightweight motorcycle’s bearings for excessive play:

1. Raise the front wheel clear of the ground with an assistant.

2. Apply the front brake.
3. Lift the front of the front wheel. It may be necessary to support the centre of the motorcycle if it does
not have a suitable stand.

If a motorcycle does not have a centre stand, you must use suitable equipment to raise the wheels clear
of ground, one wheel at a time or both wheels at the same time. If necessary, use an assistant. Pulling a
motorcycle over on its side-stand is not recommended.

Defect Category

(a) Not in use

(b) Not in use

(c) Not in use

(d) Forks or fork yoke:

(i) fractured, insecure, excessively deformed or excessively corroded Major

(ii) in such a condition that steering control is adversely affected Dangerous

(e) Forks or fork yoke with an unsafe modification Major

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Defect Category

(f) Steering head bearings:

(i) excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play Major

(ii) in such a condition that steering control is adversely affected Dangerous

2.3. Not in use

2.4. Wheel alignment

You do not need to inspect the motorcycle’s wheel alignment if either the front or rear wheels have
already been failed for buckling, eccentricity or damage.

A wheel clamp can be used, as long as it does not obstruct the straight edge or cord.

If the motorcycle’s wheels seem to be excessively misaligned, you can conduct a road test to assess the
effect on the handling.

Some shaft driven motor bicycles and motor bicycles adapted for use with a sidecar may have a certain
amount of parallel misalignment (see examples 2 and 3 in Diagram 1.).

Diagram 1. Examples of correct alignment (1), parallel misalignment (2-3) and misalignment (4)

To check a solo motorcycle’s wheel alignment:

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1. Use a wheel clamp or an assistant to ensure that the front wheel is held upright and in line with the
frame.
2. Place a straight edge or cord against the rear tyre parallel to it and as high off the ground as other
parts will permit.
3. Estimate the gap (if any) between the straight edge or cord at the rear points where it’s opposite the
front tyre.
4. Move the straight edge or cord to the other side of the motorcycle and repeat steps 2 and 3.
5. Sight along the front wheel and forks and assess any misalignment.

To check the wheel alignment on a motorcycle combination:

1. Set the steering in the straight ahead position, and place a straight edge or cord against the outer
walls of the rear tyre.
2. Place a second straight edge or cord against the outer walls of the sidecar tyre and measure
between the straight edges or cord at the front and rear of the combination.
3. Assess any toe-in or toe-out of motorcycle and sidecar wheels.
4. Check visually the vertical alignment of the motorcycle and sidecar.

It’s normal for motorcycle combinations to be set up in a way that is not perfectly vertically aligned.

Defect Category

(a) Wheels of a solo motorcycle sufficiently misaligned to adversely affect the handling or steering Major

(b) Toe-out of the sidecar wheel relative to the motorcycle Major

(c) Excessive toe-in of the sidecar wheel relative to the motorcycle Major

(d) Excessive vertical misalignment between the motorcycle and the sidecar wheel which
Major
adversely affects the handling of the combination

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