Hi all,
Brilliant forum with some really handy advice.
I've been out of the biking world for about 12 years now and I've a couple questions to ease my worried mind for my return.
I've just taken a refresher course to get me back into the groove and it was like I never stopped riding. I'm purchasing my friends 1999 VTR1000 which has Scorpion aftermarket cans fitted, it's also got Stage 1 dynojets and a K&N filter. My mate kindly lent me the bike for my course and the instructor was kinda jumpy about the exhaust system, I didn't pay too much attention at the time but I've been stewing over it this evening and my friend isn't too sure what the legal position is. The last time I was on a bike it wasn't really an issue the worst that happened was a stern telling off from a not overly concerned bobbie.
My question is, what is the penalty if the boys and/or girls in blue pull you over and they suspect your cans are illegal? Am I looking at a producer, fixed penalty fine, points, public flogging or is it just straight home to bed with no supper?
Can/do they check the db at the road side?
Cheers
Matt
Penalty for Illegal Cans?
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Fireman on a Storm
- Posts: 1225
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 5:59 pm
- Location: Romford
No points on your licence.
You could get a fine and/or a rectification notice. This means you have to put the standard cans back on, get the bike re MOTed and show the proof to the police.
I London most of the police think race cans are a good idea because at least the blind car drivers might hear you coming.
As long as you keep the revs down in built up areas and use a bit of common sence when in ear shot of the police you should not have much trouble.
You could get a fine and/or a rectification notice. This means you have to put the standard cans back on, get the bike re MOTed and show the proof to the police.
I London most of the police think race cans are a good idea because at least the blind car drivers might hear you coming.
As long as you keep the revs down in built up areas and use a bit of common sence when in ear shot of the police you should not have much trouble.
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mattbridges
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 2:35 am
for me 
for wallet.-
mattbridges
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 2:35 am
Well so far so good. Got followed for about 4 miles the other afternoon by a traffic car through some country lanes. They deliberately changed lanes when he saw me indicating left, I thought to myself "Uh oh here we go" - kept the revs under 3500 and not a sausage from them. They did get quite close a couple of times at junctions. Begining to think I'm a little paranoid but I'm sure "THEY" ARE OUT TO GET ME!!!!! 
I did get a kind of "raised eyebrow look" from the police in a marked mercedes as I passed it on a dual carriageway this morning. I was only doing about 65 and in top.
Interestingly, I had an informal chat with a local traffic officer pal of mine and he was of the opinion that at least in Gloucestershire unless you really are taking the p*ss the traffic officers tend turn a blind eye to Race or 'Noisy' (as he put it) cans and in the summer tinted visors, basically he said they can't be bothered harrassing people who are probably only going to get the necessary froms sorted and go right back to doing what they were doing. They are much more worried about speed and wreckless driving; but he did say keep the revs low and they probably won't bother me.
I did get a kind of "raised eyebrow look" from the police in a marked mercedes as I passed it on a dual carriageway this morning. I was only doing about 65 and in top.
Interestingly, I had an informal chat with a local traffic officer pal of mine and he was of the opinion that at least in Gloucestershire unless you really are taking the p*ss the traffic officers tend turn a blind eye to Race or 'Noisy' (as he put it) cans and in the summer tinted visors, basically he said they can't be bothered harrassing people who are probably only going to get the necessary froms sorted and go right back to doing what they were doing. They are much more worried about speed and wreckless driving; but he did say keep the revs low and they probably won't bother me.
1999 Firestorm - Red - Dynojet Stage 1 - K&N filter - Remus Cans (was Scorpion).
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essexbloke
- Posts: 656
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2002 12:29 pm
- Location: Colchester, England
Basically the same kind of reaction i've had, i've got high level carbon fibre devil cans which are very LOUD.... (borderline ridiculous), still havnt been pulled.
Most amusing time was last summer, me on mine & freind on his 916 with carbon termis'. Plod pulled him over, gave him the old rectification slip, but ignored mine!!!!!
As long as your sensible (my freind isnt) Mr Pold in general cant be arsed
Most amusing time was last summer, me on mine & freind on his 916 with carbon termis'. Plod pulled him over, gave him the old rectification slip, but ignored mine!!!!!
As long as your sensible (my freind isnt) Mr Pold in general cant be arsed
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Pete.L
- Forum Health And Safety Officer
- Posts: 7305
- Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2003 5:09 pm
- Location: Bristol
Hi Matt
If paranoia is taking over what about some DB killers.
http://www.abercon.co.uk/vtr1000/phpBB2 ... el+fillers
Iggy fitted some into his from a place in lincoln according to this
Pete.l
If paranoia is taking over what about some DB killers.
http://www.abercon.co.uk/vtr1000/phpBB2 ... el+fillers
Iggy fitted some into his from a place in lincoln according to this
Pete.l
Just to add to this, this is the second bike Ive fitted with a race can and have yet to be troubled by the boys in blue, even when filtering past in a tunnel 
. Micron have very helpfully marked their cans in a very discreet place, so its not obvious to those not in the know that they are illegal.
On the same subject, after fitting said cans, the 'storm has developed a bit of a backfire on deceleration (as opposed to the nice popping with the road legal Remus ones it came with). I've balanced the carbs, and all the blurb says they don't need rejetting, so anyone got any suggestions?
thanks
. Micron have very helpfully marked their cans in a very discreet place, so its not obvious to those not in the know that they are illegal.On the same subject, after fitting said cans, the 'storm has developed a bit of a backfire on deceleration (as opposed to the nice popping with the road legal Remus ones it came with). I've balanced the carbs, and all the blurb says they don't need rejetting, so anyone got any suggestions?
thanks
Ohlins shock, Goodridge lines, 6-pot calipers, carbon fibre hugger.....and all at someone else's expense!!
Good thinking Pete, I have got a K+N filter fitted, and had the mixture adjusted before fitting these cans to sort out the stalling problem. I'll check the air leak first, as its a lot cheaper
Cheers
Cheers
Ohlins shock, Goodridge lines, 6-pot calipers, carbon fibre hugger.....and all at someone else's expense!!
To be honest it's difficult to say, as this was the first Firestorm I rode, so I can't compare it to the standard shock. I also didn't have any baseline settings as everything was set to minimum (if anyone can help please?), so I spent a weekend setting up static sag and the like.
Compared to my old Thundercat ('coz i had it for years and it has a fully adjustable shock) it's very firm, and I'm running near the bottom of the range. Compression and rebound adjustments have definite effects, unlike those on the 'Cat which needed several large adjustments to feel minor changes.
The one thing I noticed immediately on the test ride was how soft the front end was, so I got some stiffer springs to try and balance it out a bit (K-Tech, suited to my weight). Probably exaggerated due to the very stiff rear end. Another weekend setting up and it was better, but still room for improvement. When I get the cash together, I'll go for the whole 'Blade front end conversion.
I'm glad I've got it coz there's enough adjustability to cover all your road and track needs, but as you say they aren't cheap and need time setting up carefully. It'll show up the front as well, so be prepared to spend again But once the set up is done, there's plenty of feedback, maybe a bit of a firm ride but that's how I like it. Remote preload adjustment is an absolute godsend, no more skinned knuckles or ferreting about under the seat for your toolkit.
Hope this helps a bit
Eddie
Compared to my old Thundercat ('coz i had it for years and it has a fully adjustable shock) it's very firm, and I'm running near the bottom of the range. Compression and rebound adjustments have definite effects, unlike those on the 'Cat which needed several large adjustments to feel minor changes.
The one thing I noticed immediately on the test ride was how soft the front end was, so I got some stiffer springs to try and balance it out a bit (K-Tech, suited to my weight). Probably exaggerated due to the very stiff rear end. Another weekend setting up and it was better, but still room for improvement. When I get the cash together, I'll go for the whole 'Blade front end conversion.
I'm glad I've got it coz there's enough adjustability to cover all your road and track needs, but as you say they aren't cheap and need time setting up carefully. It'll show up the front as well, so be prepared to spend again But once the set up is done, there's plenty of feedback, maybe a bit of a firm ride but that's how I like it. Remote preload adjustment is an absolute godsend, no more skinned knuckles or ferreting about under the seat for your toolkit.
Hope this helps a bit
Eddie
Ohlins shock, Goodridge lines, 6-pot calipers, carbon fibre hugger.....and all at someone else's expense!!