MOT advisory for wheel alignment

MOT advisory for wheel alignment

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Discussion

PTF

Original Poster:

4,320 posts

224 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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Looking at a Blackbird for my Dad tomorrow. Looks ok but the last MOT had an advisory for wheel alignment.

Any idea what this might be? Incorrectly set chain adjusters? Or should i me more suspicious.

It doesn't come up as Cat C/D but obviously could have still had a bump

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

190 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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Very easy to get a wheel out of alignment when doing the chain or change a wheel. That would give you an advisory.

I wouldn't say it's evidence of anything either way.

trickywoo

11,792 posts

230 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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Prof Prolapse said:
Very easy to get a wheel out of alignment when doing the chain or change a wheel. That would give you an advisory.

I wouldn't say it's evidence of anything either way.
Not so sure about that. Unless its a really fussy tester it would have to be miles out for an advisory and points to someone who doesn't really know what they are doing working on it.

Fair enough that swing arm factory marks aren't always 100% but if you match them up the alignment won't be far enough out for an MOT advisory.

I'd take an extra hard look at the bike and owner.

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

190 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
quotequote all
Having had it come up for me (before I knew how to align properly) it seems more likely than a horrifically bent bike to me, but to each their own.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

118 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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Not sure that's even testable to be honest

TwoStrokeNut

1,686 posts

241 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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MOT testers will usually have a long straight edge they will use to check alignment, if it seems to be out, usually noticed when testing brake efficiency.

The tester I use is pretty sensitive to misalignment, other's are clueless.

I would check it myself before buying. Most are out to some degree.


graham22

3,295 posts

205 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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I think the chain adjusters on those are the same as W & X model Fireblades.

They don't adjust like normal chain adjusters (i.e. clockwise to tighten chain). Something like the swinging arm being threaded & the adjusters slide on shouldered bolts - if you look, there's never any thread showing on the adjuster bolts.

Typical Honda solution to a non existent problem. Easy to get adjustment wrong & wheels out of line if you don't check.

PTF

Original Poster:

4,320 posts

224 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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Cheers guys. Will be having a good look at it tomorrow

Unbusy

934 posts

97 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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Can you phone the guy who tested it and ask him?
The Blackbird is on my list of bikes to try ..... eBay here I come!

CAPP0

19,583 posts

203 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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TwoStrokeNut said:
MOT testers will usually have a long straight edge they will use to check alignment, if it seems to be out, usually noticed when testing brake efficiency.
How is wheel alignment related to brake efficiency? Particularly given that they test one wheel at a time.

2wheelsjimmy

620 posts

97 months

Saturday 23rd September 2017
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Unbusy said:
Can you phone the guy who tested it and ask him?
The Blackbird is on my list of bikes to try ..... eBay here I come!
I just got one, you wont regret it. What do you want it for?

TwoStrokeNut

1,686 posts

241 months

Saturday 23rd September 2017
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CAPP0 said:
How is wheel alignment related to brake efficiency? Particularly given that they test one wheel at a time.
It isn't, but when the rear wheel is on the roller, miss alignment can be noticed quite easily.

Dog Star

16,132 posts

168 months

Saturday 23rd September 2017
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Not being funny but what are some people like - getting all in a flap because of an advisory on a past MOT.


RemaL

24,973 posts

234 months

Sunday 24th September 2017
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Dog Star said:
Not being funny but what are some people like - getting all in a flap because of an advisory on a past MOT.
As per the OP, he's looking at a bike for his Dad and unsure what a advisory on a MOT may be for. So by asking on here for advice. Can't see a issue.

With regards to the wheel, chain adjusted wrong. I'm not 100% sure. I've put on a chain and sprockets and changed wheels without any prior experience and can't see how you can get this wrong. As i've said i've done it and it passed a MOT no issues. And I had never done it before.
If it was done wrong I would be concerned. The person must be stupid

PTF

Original Poster:

4,320 posts

224 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Cheers for the advice chaps.

We picked it up on Saturday. It was nicer than expected, seller was a nice chap, so we paid the asking price and i rode it home. Took a bit of a gamble on being able to get the alignment sorted, though i didn't notice anything wrong with it when riding.

It's a cracker of a bike. Super smooth and faster than it feels, great for distance work. Massive power but it's so easy to ride.

Wish i'd bought it TBH, but it's Dad's. He now just needs to get his mojo back and get riding again, but first i'm going to suggest he takes one of my slower bikes out first!