building customs

After my last request for legal advice on exhausts was so expertly fielded,
I thought I'd throw another into the group.

A few years ago, when I lived in the UK and I was a little more idealistic
and a little less cynical/sensible- I built a chopper. Might be more
accurately termed a low rider in this country. I took the best parts from
two crashed XJ750s, cut the engine cradle from a frame, put on a single top
tube and an extended rigid back end. Extended the shaft drive, used standard
length forks (never liked "overs", to difficult to get the castor angle
sorted), 6 inch risers, drag bars, forward controls, and built myself a damn
fine strong reliable machine that handled better than the original swing arm
frame.

Now I realise that in this country the thought of someone drawing a design
for a motorcycle on an old envelope and sitting down at the lathe to
actually make everything himself would have people stumbling in horror and
RTA officials requiring hospitalisation. But what can I actually do here? I
assume making my own frames is not going to happen? But what if I build a
bike in a RTA approved custom frame? I have asked many custom bike riders
what they did paperwork wise and they never seem to have an idea. Either buy
it pre-made and pre-registered. Or ride illegally seem to be the popular
options. But there must be an approved procedure? Anybody like to try to
explain in simple terms for a simple biker.

Thanks
Jack
PS. Does anyone else think that a government approved mass produced custom
made frame is ridiculous? )

 

Damn, and I thought you just needed an engineer's report?

justAL

 

Damn, and I thought you just needed an engineer's report?

Pardon me if I'm missing something which everybody else thinks is obvious.
I'm not familiar with the whole engineers report system and what is
acceptable and what is not. The NSW RTA website was about as clear as mud
too )

 

I'm just clutching straws. Try looking up companies that issue engineer
reports and try an RTA office first for recommendations or aus.cars.

It might work it might not, but it's a start.

justAL

 

The RTA can supply you with a list of engineers accredited for different
vehicle types.

Al

 

which bit of cock-roach country are you in ?

 

Pardon me if I'm missing something which everybody else thinks is obvious.
I'm not familiar with the whole engineers report system and what is
acceptable and what is not. The NSW RTA website was about as clear as mud
too )[/QUOTE]

You want "Vehicle Standards Information No 28 - Guidelines for
modification to motorcycles (Apr 1998)"

pdf available here:

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi28.pdf

(which will refer you as well to VSI15:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi15.pdf )

VSI28 says (amongst other things):

Motor cycle design is a complex task. Before you modify your motor
cycles frame or suspension, you should be aware that structural changes
to the frame, steering head, front forks, suspension, brakes or wheels
may load vital components well beyond the limits for which they were
originally designed; this will increase the probability of failure and
will be a danger to the rider and to other road-users.

The RTA will register a modified motor cycle with a properly designed
custom frame, extended forks and structural modifications but only if
submitted with a report from a recognised engineering signatory,
detailing the changes and showing that the changes have not made the
cycle unsafe.

It is recommended that you seek the advice of an engineering signatory
before the modification is commenced. Vehicle Standards Information
sheet No. 15 Engineering Signatories lists engineering
signatories recognised by the RTA.

cheers,

big

 

Here in Oz, 'Damn!' is a polite way of saying "bugger me!". Look
after JustAL in that regard, and he'll look after you WRT and
engin-mc-neer's report!


GB, I'm going straight to hell for that one! Do not pass go, do
not collect...

 

I read that and thought "Shit! I thought Stephen Calder went a
bit over the top when he thanked me for my time, but wtf is
that about?".

Then I realised that I didn't buy in to that particular argument!


GB, bush lawyer.

 

I'll save you a seat.

justAL

 

Very kind of you sir. Thank-you hairy muff indeed!


GB, blush!

 

Anything you want,registering it however is a different kettle of fish.

Why ? If you're a decent welder, no dramas with that. If you're not, pay
someone who is.

No such thing to the best of my knowledge.

Which suggests they didn't build what they're riding.

Yes there is.

You build your custom bike, you ensure that the engine meets current
emissions requirements (because the frame is the bike, and if it's a new
frame then you need to meet 2006 emissions), you ensure it has adequate
brakes for the power, and that the frame and suspension are also
adequate for the engine.

You go get an engineer's certificate to say it's safe. The list of
certifying engineers is on the RTA website.

Once you've got an engineers you get a blue slip, pay the green slip and
cough up your rego at the RTA.

Then ride off into the sunset.

JL

 

You build your custom bike, you ensure that the engine meets current

Thanks for the advice. But... one of the common lines I get is that if a
pre-1976 donor bike is used, emission and noise standards are pre-76 even if
the frame is new. I know a few guys who ride bikes thinking this. Like my
nieghbour who has a chopped rigid 1956 sportster. He reckons the loud
exhausts and woefully inadequate drum brakes are fine. But then, he doesn't
have an engineers ticket either.

Not disagreeing, just pointing out popular opinion differs. Hence my
difficulty understanding the rules )

 

Thanks. I hadnt seen that second file before.

Of course, I dont actually plan to build a bike right now, just want to know
what the proceedure is if I see one for sale I can ask the right questions
)

 

Which reminds me of a few other cases where the rider claims to have
replaced the frame with an approved replacment part. Theory being that if
all other parts are standard, only the frame is different and its
pre-approved.

Thing is, I know plenty of bikes that use this excuse to build a complete
one off. Including one bike thats currently over $100,000 spent and rising.
Youd think with that dedication youd stick a few 100 into sorting the
paperwork )

Maybe I'll stick to a standard bike. Just buy a polished headlamp peak or
something )

 

There is the other way of getting a standard bike, registered, and then
just swapping stuff, but you have to keep it registered.

So long as you don't go too outrageous, the pink slip examination ain't
going to cause too many problems.

Have a look at http://www.mcmod.org/

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Some years back I wanted to register a YZ 250F MX for use in open 2 day
enduros. (where registration is a requirement).
Bought an old wrecked pre '76 CR Honda, slipped in the YZ engine, fitted a
chain guard, mudflaps, mirrors, bulb horn, battery powered lighting
including stoplight & had no probs getting it registered.
No, I didn't try to ride it as unfortunately the "frame broke immediately
after" but luckily I had a spare YZ frame
More mishaps over the next 2 years saw it evolve into a road registered
RM400 even tho the engine case still displayed 249cc??...oh well, cheaper
rego...
Grump.

 

It helps to get friendly with the RTA approved engineer and ply them with
beer. They can take forever to approve shit! He'll also listen to your
ideas and tell you whether he'll give it a hope in hell of passing or not
before you start building.

 

They do go off the frame for year of manufacture. If obviously customised
and you're gunna ride it a lot then do the paperwork. I get followed
regularly while they run radio checks and the only hassle I had was when
the radio link was down and they couldn't check the RTA to see if I had an
engineers approval.

Other people wing it with varying success. You may be able to find a shop
who can do the legalities for you, for a fee. Drop into your local custom
shop with a carton and ask advice. They'll be up to date with the ever
changing bullshit regs.