Query about customising bikes

[salibandy]

Hello all.

 

So I've just gotten into the riding scene, and coming from a mountain biking background, this only seems natural.

 

So anyway, I was wondering about some things. I noticed in the motard threads (particularly) that changing certain things, like rims, are illegal. Why is that?

 

In mountain biking, we could pretty much buy a frame and chuck pretty much anything together to make a bike. You could take a VooDoo frame, Fox fork, Easton handlebars and seats etc and that'll be your bike. But from what I understand, that's not possible for motorbikes?

[zyrofillica]

Bikes have to conform to road safety and LTA laws cause they are classified as motor vehicles. Bicycles do not have such laws, YET. Such as it is in singapore and the rest of the 3rd world who act 1st world countries.

[fleas]

welcome to singapore :>

[salibandy]

I see.

 

So where would one be able to find literature on what parts are legal to be put on a particular model of bike?

[fleas]

i think its better if u ask the shop you bought ur bike from about wad parts to change

[KeraKing]

changing of rims are not illegal.

you can go to lta website, they have guidelines..

a lot of things can be changed bro..

only that people dunno, can't be arsed to find out or juz talk anyhow.

even many shops are lazy or no idea to do certain mods.

[zyrofillica]

can change. everything also can change. Just dun get caught lor. If LTA blur then they also will not know if u changed a part. See how sharp their officers are. but as i said, motorbikes are regulated by govt unlike mountain bikes.

[Blackbeard]

if you are rich and can afford the fines. go ahead

[salibandy]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

So I checked the website, but could not click anything. Did a Google search instead and found a page on OneMotoring about LTA modification guidelines. It seems to be talking about cars though. Can anyone link me to a source specifically about bikes, if any?

 

Rims are not illegal? I read here though that changing to a motard setup is illegal. Have I been mislead then?

[KeraKing]

http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/lta_information_guidelines/modifications_and_vehoffences/modification_guide.html

 

its quite limited, and the ones that seemed for cars can be regarded as general .

but i take it from there as a start..

 

like the sport rims guideline it says

(for cars only),

"The following requirements must be met for cars when changing to sports rims:"

so i might argue that the stated requirements are only for cars.

 

there are also modifications not allowed section..

it doesnt include changing sport rims on motorcycle

 

usual summon items are

illegal exhausts

illegal number plates

tinted visor

tinted lights

decorative lights

speeding

 

just make sure ur bike is quite decent with legal head tail brake and lights, proper plate numbers, mudguards, chain guards, good road ettiques, helmet strap properly, no sharp accessories, be polite even when stop by authorities and even if you're in the wrong.

 

bro, there are already a lot of motards on the market..

i think better get those for a peace of mind.

[salibandy]

Thanks Kera.

 

I'm short, 158, so getting a motard off the shelf would be difficult, cause all the 2B ones seems to be so high, like the KTMs and the Husqies.

[KeraKing]

i see, so

1. what bike are you looking at?

2. see if the husky can be lowered a bit?

3. short people can ride tall bikes, juz need to practise a bit more.

[salibandy]

Hmmm. Well I don't know how many supermoto 2Bs there are, I only know of the KTMs and Husqies. And frankly, they're hard to find 2nd hand and are expensive 1st hand.

 

I guess practice makes perfect. Takes some balls too. Haha.

[lacrimosae]

Hmmm. Well I don't know how many supermoto 2Bs there are, I only know of the KTMs and Husqies. And frankly, they're hard to find 2nd hand and are expensive 1st hand.

 

I guess practice makes perfect. Takes some balls too. Haha.

 

You can get a motard and lower the suspension by fabricating a separate rear shock mount.

 

This is illegal, and may change the geometry of your bike slightly. But it is not obvious, and I know of a few riders who have passed yearly inspections with a lowered rear shock.

 

It is deemed illegal by the local authorities because they are ignorant, and prefer less work. They believe (erroneously) that illegally modifying the height of the bike is unsafe. This is due to the fact that most of them are uneducated, and are working in the government sector because they cannot get a better job elsewhere, hence the fist-up-their-a*se rigidity.

 

Flexibility in such areas would require higher cognitive skills, which may be commonsense to us, but is something most of them don't possess.

 

Governing technicalities of what can be modified and how is too much work. You also have to consider who is doing it, and in what capacity is it done. A shortened linkage made of steel may be practical but too heavy, so a metal fabricator may be asked to use aluminum, which is lighter, but more malleable. Both achieves the goal to lower a bike's rear suspension, but the aluminum link will not last. Sometimes, fabricators may cut corners which endanger the lives of the riders.

 

Ignorance, too much governance issues, more paperwork, more safety tests, lack of expertise... The list of reasons go on.

 

Bottom line is, do what you want to sweeten your ride, but not at the expense of your safety; and of course, just don't get caught.

Edited June 12, 2009 by lacrimosae

[KeraKing]

strongly agree with the above bro..

anyways if the suspension is a linkage setup, you can oso juz modify the linkage to lower the rear.

or if the suspension is adjustable, then can lower the preload to make it more sag thus lower height too.

or u can change the springs to softer ect.

 

i've got a short fren who used to ride wr200 with no problems..

it's quite affordable bike.

[lacrimosae]

strongly agree with the above bro..

anyways if the suspension is a linkage setup, you can oso juz modify the linkage to lower the rear.

or if the suspension is adjustable, then can lower the preload to make it more sag thus lower height too.

or u can change the springs to softer ect.

 

i've got a short fren who used to ride wr200 with no problems..

it's quite affordable bike.

 

Not to mention it's a great looking bike!!

 

The WR200 is one sexy offroader. Sexy and classic. Like a Specialized Stumpjumper, or GT Avalanche!

 

IF you don't want to modify anything, here's a great tip from a short friend who's been doing it for almost 3 years. Just stick your foot into the wheel well of a neighbouring car. If no cars are present, use the curb, and kick yourself upright before moving off.

 

Only once a driver exited the car to confront him. But when he got out of the car and saw how short my friend was, he just sighed, shrugged and got back in, and drove off. hur hur hur