EU Restrictions on Home Mechanics

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Is this a valid proposal by EU lawmakers?
http://ukfrancebikers.com/
That just boggles my mind.

[Justin B.]

Tyranny unchecked, I fear...

[montmil]

Am I remembering correctly that the French are also attempting to legislate what type of clothing motorcyclists must wear while riding in France? Strange brew...

By the way, I have for sale a WWII French Army rifle in excellent condition. Dropped only once.

The French have recently unveiled their government's latest terror alert threat procedures:
     Level One - Run
     Level Two - Surrender
     Level Three - Collaborate


Monte

[Bob_Roller]

Sounds lke the same defense plan they had for WWII !!!!!!!

[wilcom]

Their time would be better spent  worrying about those Muslims they  imported rather than screw with the well meaning motorcyclist repairing his bike........while there is still a France.

[Lucky_Lou]

I dont know if the Home Mechanics bit is right but the Clothing issues are along with a load of other stupid proposals from EU officials who think all bikes should have stabilizers and be restricted to peddle power are. The MAG protest ride earlier this year was about these proposals, with the Euro zone in deep debt you would think they would find something more meaningful to spend our cash on (UK contributes £25 million a day).
Lou

[Dizerens5]

It's not much consolation but these European proposals often get reduced before they get into law. Or even abolished later: France used to have special conditions for classics (over 25 years old I believe) including limitation on how far away from home you could go. That's no longer the law, since last year. About 10 years ago Switzerland planned a motorcycle speed limit of 80 km/hour (50 m.p.h.) but it got thrown out before becoming law. The clothing proposal concerns wearing of reflective waistcoats, say it softly but maybe not such a bad idea! I believe some clothing requirements in Germany are presented as law to scare us but in fact apply only as conditions for some optional medical insurance policies. Maybe things will not be as bad as we think. I would guess that the biggest risk is the idea that only the manufacturer's spare parts can be sold or fitted. That would get us all off the road pretty fast!

[Barry]

You would think that Europe would have other things to worry about at the moment.

[nhmaf]

We've certainly got plenty of financial and political problems over here as well, but I'd still rather be riding here than in Europe.   This is utter nonsense..

[montmil]

There's too much damn gubmint...

Here in the Great State of Texas -and other states, I'm sure- motorcycles over 25 years old can be licensed as an "antique motorcycle". License plates are lower priced and good for five years before renewal.

And, as an added bonus, no annual inspection is required! None. Nada. I like to think that Texas' DOT believes that anyone mechanically and financially able to keep an "antique motorcycle" running must be a pretty good home mechanic.

There are a few minor "operational rules" governing the issue of these vintage license plates and every one of 'em are ignored by the gendarme. My favorite being the one stating that the motorcycle can be ridden at any time for the purpose of "maintenance checks".

Shoot... any time I roll out on either of my R65s, I feel like I'm doing a "maintenance check". [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Monte

[Barry]

And, as an added bonus, no annual inspection is required! None. Nada. I like to think that Texas' DOT believes that anyone mechanically and financially able to keep an "antique motorcycle" running must be a pretty good home mechanic.

By some strange quirk of enlightenment a similar proposal has been made in the UK. It's not law yet and will only exempt  pre - 1965 vehicles so won't be any use to UK members with R65's.  Still a step in the right direction.

[k_enn]

There's too much damn gubmint...

I agree.

<snip> motorcycles over 25 years old can be licensed as an "antique motorcycle".   <snip>  And, as an added bonus, no annual inspection is required! None. Nada. <snip>

Here in New Jersey, they have seen the light.  It used to be that motorcycles had to be inspected for mechanical soundness, although they have always been exempt from emissions inspections.  New Jersey recently did away with all vehicle inspections except emissions, which now results in the motorcycles not requiring any inspections whatsoever.

Of course, if you are riding a motorcycle that is not mechanically sound, you are a prime candidate for a Darwin award.  But at least, for once, gubmint is moving away from the nanny-state.

k_enn

[Dave 2]

In Maine we have the same "Antique" registration for 25+years. We have no restriction other than it is assumed that it is not your primary vehicle. The reasoning being that the antique vehicle will not be driven a lot. We also do not need to have it inspected. D2

[balibeemer]

In the words of ME, "European, and any other government  bureaucracy is a formless, self perpetuating, parasitic organism that resembles a toxic amoeba"

[suecanada]

So far no annual inspection for bikes or cars in Ontario. Also thought I was going to have to get an appraisal done on the '83 for insurance purposes after it hits 30 yrs. in age but as long as there is just liability on the bike and no comprehensive and collision etc. I don't have to get an appraisal. Also being a long standing customer of the same insurance company seems to be a factor.....I use Meloche Monnex of the Toronto-Dominion bank underwritten by Security National. This info I offer to my fellow Ontario forum members.