Contrôle Technique for motorcycles

[Groily]

I'm posting this in English to alert English-speaking members here in France to the position on CT tests for older machines, starting next year. Our French members, if they haven't already seen and digested it from other sources, can read the attachment and the French classic and rétro-moto press better than I can! The attachment here doesn't specify all of the stuff we need to know - that has to be dug out by reference to other bits of French legislation, in the "Code de la Route", but it DOES set out, in Annexe 1, what is to be tested, and what defects amount to a minor advisory, a major fault or a critical 'do not proceed'. (This covers mopeds, three-wheelers and 'voiturettes' as well.)

However, as I understand it (and please, any French members who understand it better than I do, correct any mistakes and add or amplify any points that need it):

1. From 25th April 2024, all machines built since 1994 will be subject to a three-yearly test from the age of Five. So that's a lot of our 'moderns' covered. (Cars, it's Four years and then every two, so I hope I have that right . . . but as my only 'modern' bike is 23 years old . . . not my primary area of interest!)

2. All machines from 1960 to 1994 IF REGISTERED AS VEHICLES de COLLECTION will be subject to a five-yearly test; while

3. pre-1960 machines so registered are exempt.

The date is a big disappointment I think. The FFVE (Fédération Française de Véhicules de l'Epoque) itself asked for a 1980 cut-off for motos de collection, but didn't succeed.

This is a far cry from the earlier chit-chat of 'visual inspection only' for oldies, but as the whole document is written to cover machines old AND modern, it is to be hoped that requirements will be judged in an appropriate context. VIN identity will be the first thing checked though, so it's going to be important to make sure that the info on reg docs is in line with frame numbers etc.

We won't really know what it all means and how it all works for a while yet. Personally, I have 2 exempt machines, 2 in the 'collection' category post-1960, and the one modern. I'm glad, given a fee of 72€ a pop for the CT test, that I don't still have the dozen or so machines I had until quite recently. Many friends and members will, though, be faced with very significant costs if they wish to keep multiple motorcycles on the road . . .

All somewhat galling frankly, given that the number of accidents and incidents caused by 'defects' in our kinds of machinery has always been the square root of zero, but we'll have to make the best of it, being grateful for the fact that we have been spared hitherto.

[56G80S]

That's a useful post, bearing in mind that Club members may attend IJRs using "modern" or late (post 1960) machines in the interests of actually arriving!

With luck I'll still be on the 1956 G80S so won't be affected.

And will arrive???

Johnny B

[Groily]

You should be OK on a UK reg machine subject to UK rules Johnny B - it's just we here who have to take on board the new régime.

There has never been an MOT equiv for ANY m/cycle in France before, old or new. But pressure from the usual suspects has eventually pushed France to introduce tests. Part Brussels, part eco-concerns, part a sense that we have 'got away with something' for too long.

Frankly, I can't find it in me to rile loudly against the idea for 100+bhp moderns, even if my XJR Yamaha isn't very new and isn't (that) powerful compared to many more recent machines. But I AM a bit sad that the rules on classics are being changed, because no-one has truly been able to identify an 'evil that needs to be addressed'. That would be the normal, acceptable, reason for imposing regulations on folk.

Not sure what it will translate into in practical terms. Could it be that there will be a small premium on pre-'60 machines (is there in the UK?), or maybe a drop in desirability and value of post-'60s . . . but I expect it will all settle down.

People hardest hit will probably be those with modern machines with non-conforming exhausts and other mods, but they'll find ways to conformity I expect. I'm not sure from reading all the bits about testing electrical systems whether chips will be checked for being standard, etc etc - but these aren't things to worry most of us here. I think for 'our bikes' there will need to be some leeway on decibels, and emissions, if modern standards are to be the norm. My AMC twins aren't that noisy, and I have choices of silencers in any event, but I would be annoyed if, say, my completely correct '66 650SS Dommie was picked up on noise (or, if its pair of Amal Monoblocs didn't match up to emission rules designed to suit fuel injection systems). I wonder, seriously, how Harley-Ds will get on - I don't think there's a quiet one of them on the planet is there?

Probably it'll all wash over but some folk are going to face high costs - and all in one go. As in the UK, there are many French enthusiasts of modest means who have a few machines in their care, and some have significant collections acquired over lifetimes. They are understandably not exactly thrilled.

[Eamonn]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I read the above as the French equivalent to the UK MOT test. Certainly within the UK, once you have found a tester who is "considerate" of older machines (noise levels, lighting performance, braking performance, etc.) you keep going back to them. It won't be too long before all the testers are trained on all "modern" machinery and trying to impose modern standards on older bikes just doesn't work.

At least in the UK, we now have an option of not having an MOT test on vehicles registered as "historic", although the full implications of not having a current MOT when attempting an insurance claim has yet to be understood.

[Groily]

Not wrong Eamonn. It's exactly what it is.
Tests here are run by government agencies basically (not by private garagistes etc who might be seen to 'feed a workshop') and the rules are completely standardised.
The Q will be to what extent, in light of the testing régime outlined, reasonable allowance is made for elderly vehicles. That's where there may be some mild variations, and no doubt there will be outlets with staff who are more, and less, au fait with elderly machines.
For elderly cars, it's pretty fair from my experience in the past with cars from the '30s to the '60s, so we'll see . . .

(Not sure what the 'implications of not having a current MOT' might be if one isn't required? Has that been tested? Here, as everywhere I think, it's the owner's responsibility to maintain things in a safe and roadworthy condition . . . . and not just for one day every few years!)

[Groily]

Have now put three machines through the system. Here's how it went at the testing centre I picked at random having discovered those whom I usually go to for cars and vans don't do motorcycles.

For my '61 M31 Ajay, and my '66 650SS Dommie, a purely visual thing starting with check on frame number against details on the registration document (carte grise or certificat d'immatriculation). Bikes on centre stands. Engines (numbers not checked) never started, electrics not tested at all - not even switched on to show they work off the battery. Condition of tyres, cursory 'ping' of some spokes, looksee at the state of frame (rust etc), the drive chain, the visible cabling and wiring especially between tank and steering head, and the safe attachment of fuel tank and all body parts are what seemed to matter. Modifications, such as non-correct mudguards and silencer in one case, or later TLS brake and Cibié headlamp in the other (with no front sidelight provision), not an issue and the tester wouldn't even know. Speedometers (in miles in both cases) not relevant either. No emissions or decibel tests, no checks for homologation of rear view mirror(s), light units or actual tyre sizes compared to 'book'. Anything glaringly dangerous might have been picked up, but without any form of brake test, or serious check on wheels, swing arm etc, that's maybe questionable.
And that's 58€ apiece please . . .

For my one modern-ish machine, a Yamaha XJR coming up to 25 years old and showing it, a bit more was looked at: all electricals and switchgear, level of wear on brake pads, state of discs, rear chain etc etc - but nothing unreasonable. Inspection entirely conducted with bike on side stand. Particular attention to fork oil seals - known to have a short life on many Yamahas - I've replaced mine twice now. Plus an emissions test. Done at tickover rpm, hot (I'd ridden 50+km to get there, so it was good and warm). Apparently the C02 limit is "4.5 somethings per whatever" - mine, still on its original carbs and at 72,000km, read 1.6, which the guy said was excellent by any standards for a carburettor engine - surprising even!
Another 58€.

My experience ties in with what others here have experienced for classic and modern machines, although I have heard of some price variations. Someone told me they'd been gouged nearly 90€ to test a 49cc Mobylette, but I' hope that was an error on the tester's part!

Noise will be the next thing, when all CT stations are equipped with the necessary - but it won't affect oldies for which there are no original yardsticks. 'Excessive' noise is in any case something that a gendarme will 'discuss' if he feels like it - I know this because of a friendly conversation I had with one, which led to my 'doing something' about a megaphone. I do wonder though how some non-standard large modern machines, especially from Milwaukee, will fare down the line. Some of them are almost painfully loud.

While the whole rigmarole is deeply unpopular, and in some respects nothing more than an additional tax, and while I don't like it either, I was somewhat illogically pleased to get the bits of paper. The memsahib said she was surprised anyone could be happy to go out for a morning and come back 174€ the poorer for the square root of not a lot, but so be it.

Somebody half-joked it'll be electric bicycles and e-scooters next, mobility scooters too maybe.

[Groily]

J'ai maintenant passé trois machines dans le système. Voici comment cela s'est passé au centre de test que j'ai choisi au hasard après avoir découvert que ceux vers lesquels je vais habituellement pour les voitures et les camionnettes ne font pas de motos.

Pour mon M31 Ajay '61 et mon Dommie 650SS '66, une chose purement visuelle commençant par la vérification du numéro de cadre par rapport aux détails du document d'immatriculation (carte grise ou certificat d'immatriculation). Les motos sur les béquilles centrales. Les moteurs (numéros non vérifiés) n'ont jamais démarré, l'électricité n'a pas été testée du tout - même pas allumée pour montrer qu'ils fonctionnent sur batterie. L'état des pneus, le "ping" superficiel de certains rayons, l'examen de l'état du cadre (rouille, etc.), la chaîne de transmission, le câblage visible et le câblage en particulier entre le réservoir et la tête de direction, et la fixation sûre du réservoir de carburant et de toutes les parties de la carrosserie sont ce qui semblait important. Modifications, comme des garde-boue et un silencieux non conformes dans un cas, ou des freins TLS ultérieurs et des phares Cibié dans l'autre (sans feux de position avant), pas de problème et l'essayeur ne le saurait même pas. Les compteurs de vitesse (en miles dans les deux cas) ne sont pas non plus pertinents. Pas de tests d'émissions ou de décibels, pas de contrôles d'homologation des rétroviseurs, des blocs optiques ou des dimensions réelles des pneus par rapport aux "livres". Tout ce qui est manifestement dangereux aurait pu être détecté, mais sans aucune forme de test de freinage, ou de contrôle sérieux des roues, du bras oscillant, etc., c'est peut-être discutable.
Et c'est 58 € pièce s'il vous plaît...

Pour ma seule machine moderne, une Yamaha XJR qui a presque 25 ans et qui le montre, on a regardé un peu plus : tous les éléments électriques et les interrupteurs, le niveau d'usure des plaquettes de frein, l'état des disques, la chaîne arrière, etc., mais rien de déraisonnable. L'inspection a été entièrement effectuée avec la moto sur la béquille latérale. Une attention particulière a été portée aux joints d'huile de fourche - connus pour avoir une durée de vie courte sur de nombreuses Yamahas - j'ai remplacé les miens deux fois maintenant. Plus un test d'émissions. Fait au ralenti, à chaud (j'avais roulé plus de 50 km pour y arriver, donc c'était bien chaud). Apparemment, la limite de CO2 est de "4,5 quelque chose par n'importe quoi" - la mienne, toujours sur ses carburateurs d'origine et à 72 000 km, affichait 1,6, ce que le gars a dit être excellent selon tous les standards pour un moteur à carburateur - surprenant même !
58 € de plus.

Mon expérience concorde avec ce que d'autres ici ont vécu pour des machines classiques et modernes, bien que j'aie entendu parler de certaines variations de prix. Quelqu'un m'a dit qu'on lui avait escroqué près de 90 € pour tester une Mobylette 49cc, mais j'espère que c'était une erreur de la part du testeur !

Le bruit sera la prochaine étape, lorsque toutes les stations CT seront équipées du nécessaire - mais cela n'affectera pas les anciens pour lesquels il n'existe pas de critères d'origine. Le bruit " excessif " est de toute façon quelque chose dont un gendarme " discutera " s'il en a envie - je le sais grâce à une conversation amicale que j'ai eue avec l'un d'eux, ce qui m'a conduit à " faire quelque chose " à propos d'un mégaphone. Je me demande cependant comment certaines grosses machines modernes non standard, en particulier celles de Milwaukee, se comporteront à l'avenir. Certaines d'entre elles sont presque douloureusement bruyantes.

Bien que toute cette histoire soit profondément impopulaire, et à certains égards rien de plus qu'une taxe supplémentaire, et bien que je ne l'aime pas non plus, j'étais quelque peu illogiquement heureux de recevoir ces bouts de papier. La memsahib a déclaré qu'elle était surprise que quelqu'un puisse être heureux de sortir le matin et de revenir 174 € plus pauvre pour la racine carrée de pas grand-chose, mais qu'il en soit ainsi.

Quelqu'un a plaisanté à moitié en disant que les vélos et les scooters électriques seraient les prochains, et peut-être aussi les scooters de mobilité.