What are the minimum specifications for a motorcycle to be 'street legal' in the UK?

Hi - I'm thinking of customising some old bikes and I'd like to know what are (or where I can find) the minimum requirements in order to make a bike legal.

As it's my first build, it'll be an old 125cc. I don't know whether engine capacity matters but I know that exhaust noise does. I am assuming headlamp, back light, turning lights...is a speedo/rev counter necessary?

You get the idea. Any help will be much appreciated

Cheers!

hi,if it passes an mot then its street leagle...hope this helps..ps,if its a trail bike [like xt500] then indicators arnt required for the mot....acctully you dont need any lights what so ever if you go for a daylight mot.

daytime mot is the minimum. you dont need indicators (must be classed as a single seater or you will need them).
No lights BUT you will need a rear brake light and a horn.

You should contact VOSA.
They have some manuals on their website
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/

I don't know whether your rebuild will qualify as an SVA case (Single Vehicle Approval), if it does this pdf might help
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/reposito...

Hi, your motorcycl will have to comply to the MOT regs that were inplace when it was first registered, so if its pre- 1984, then there is no need to have a BS marked system, only that its up to the mot'ers discression if the pipe is too loud or passable.
IF you want to put a larger cc engine in, you must have a licence to cover you for that, also you have to declare it to DVLA( fill in the V5c logbook) and to your insurance. Some insurance companies wont insure motorcycles that are modified. My insurance excepted to insure my Cb100 with its CG125 engine- where another place i tried to get separate insurance refused point blank.
Its possible to get a daytime mot but youll need to have a brake light and obviously you must return home or stop riding it before it gets dark lol.
You dont need a rev counter, only a speedo- which must be connected and working. If you dont want to use the rev counter, you just remove the counter,the cable(unless its electrical unit).
After a certain year indicators were compulsary - i think 1990. So anything before that you can remove the indicator button , the relay and indicator units.
There was some info on the internet that told you when each MOT ruling was introduced- but i cant find it lol!. If anyone does- please e-mail me the link.

DAYTIME MOT.
Tyres, Brakes, Suspension, Horn, all bearings on steering and suspension servicable. Exhaust that is compliant to the year of the bike. Tank secured properly Seat secured properly. Rear view mirror.
Anything present has to work, So if you have a light fitted then ALL lights have to work.
Any leaking suspension is a failure, though lack of suspension isn't, so rigid frame is okay.
If it's a moped it doesnt need a speedo.
Though a cycle computer can be used on larger bikes.
Levers and foot pegs MUST have rounded ends and be safe from penatrative injury. So no broken or shortened brake levers
Wheels must be free of damage and have all spokes and b true..
Tyres on a moped ( visible tread full width) Motorbike 1.6 mm 3/4 width visible tread full width no bulges or cracks in the sidwalls.

Depends on year of manufacture and original specs.
A pre 1986 competition machine (trials bike for instance) does not require lights of any description if it was not fitted with them at the factory.
In this case you just need the mechanicals of the machine to meet MOT standards, plus road tax, insurance, registration plate, speedo and an audible warning device.
A bicycle bulb horn will do for this, but a bicycle bell will not.