GPS speedo

Well if you get caught then thats me done for too , can't see whats wrong with using one especially GPS, it gets me through an MOT and tells me the correct speed instead of a general feel. And as for permanently attached is anything permanently attached to a motorcycle on these old bikes.

Phil Woods in West Sussex. 01903 724509 Mobile 07917 423971

e-mail: brawnywoo19@byinternet.com

Did an excellent job on my 99 speedo and exchanged me an old speedo for my 57 model 50, as new. Rates are good too.

My local MoT man says he will not pass a vehicle unless it has a working speedo. But as he does not ride any bike he MoTs I don't see how he can enforce the rule. Below is a copy of the legal blurb.

Regulation 35 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states that every motor vehicle shall be fitted with a speedometer except:a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 m.p.h.,a vehicle which, at all times, is unlawful to drive at more than 25 m.p.h.,an agricultural motor vehicle driven at not more than 20 m.p.h.,a motor cycle not exceeding 100cc first used before 1st April 1984,an invalid carriage first used before 1st April 1984,a works truck first used before 1st April 1984,any vehicle first used before 1st October 1937,a vehicle fitted with an approved tachograph which is required or not.Vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1984 the speedometer should be capable of indicating the speed in miles per hour and kilometres per hour. Vehicles may instead comply with EC Regulation (Community Directive) 97/39 or ECE Reg 39.These directives stipulate the markings, graduations of the speedometer and refer to 75/443/EEC which specifies the tolerances.The indicated speed must never be less than the true speed (it must read exact or high) and between 40km/h and 120km/h the error must not exceed 10% + 2.5 m.p.h. high (true speed/10 + 4kph).This means at a true speed of 25mph or 40km/h the speedometer may read 40/10+4 = 8km/h or 5mph high = 30mph indicated.MaintenanceRegulation 36 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states that the speedometer fitted to a vehicle must be kept free from any obstruction which may prevent it from being easily read and shall at all times it is used on a road be maintained in good working order except if:the speedometer became defective during the journey being undertaken, or steps have been taken to have the defect remedied by replacement or repair with all reasonable expedition, orthe vehicle is fitted with an approved tachograph which is required to be fitted under the Community Recording Equipment Regulation (offence is under that regulation).

I fitted a Cateye bicycle speedo when my drive ejected its insides. I mentioned this at the MOT & the inspector stated thata speedo is not required for an MOT.

Speedo is now fixed, rock steady & matches Satnav, I still have the Cateye because it's got a clock & is set to KPH for travel on the mainland (it's accurate up to about 70mph, then gets a hissy fit & stops working).

It is quite correct that speedometers are not part of the MoT; if you refer to the official guide for motor-cycle testers (Class 1 and Class 2 vehicles, in ministry jargon) they are not even mentioned as part of the procedure.

The document can be downloaded here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-inspection-manual-for-class-1-and-2-vehicles

There is lots of other interesting material here:

https://www.gov.uk/topic/mot/manuals

Incidentally, my understanding of the Construction and Use regulations is that no particular form of marking is required on speedos fitted to machines used before 1st April 1984, so cm/fortnight would be acceptable ...

Hi,

I use my smart phone, I've got a bracket on the yoke to hold it and it stays on screen all the time nice and readable.

Lots of free ones also keep track of altitude, top speed, average speed etc.

Also my Manx doesn't have a speedo, I use the same as the above for that too. It needed an MOT prior to me road registering it and flew through.

Cheers,

Speedos not working in tunnels seem calculated to annoy Mr Plod, since for very good reasons tunnels typically have lower speed limits than the roads leading to them.

Previously Chris Grimmett wrote:

A GPS speedo is not of much use under certain conditions, e.g. the trip to this year's International Rally. Where there were mountains interfering with the satellite signal and there were frequent road tunnels, some of considerable length, any GPS based instrument became useless.

I was calibrating my Smiths Puca electronic speedo against the SatNav on the way to Italy and had to start again several times when the tunnels and snow covers blotted out the signal.

Previously brian_rice wrote:

My chronometric is playing up and will need sending off for repair. In the meantime I shall use a small cycle gps speedo. Does anyone know the legal position for this? It gives accurate speed though is not permanently attached.

Also can someone recommend a good chronometric repair specialist(I know this came up recently but cannot find the post).

Hi Brian, while driving in my carmy speedo gives A DIFFERENT speed to the sat nav. I also notice when driving past one of these speed signs that flashes yourspeed and to slow down, its speed is different to both, so which reading is correct?