LHD twin headlights for UK MOT

**Barry Johnson** · #1 26 Mar 2003

Hi all

Has anyone imported a 3AJ into the UK from a RHD country? If so, what did you do about the headlights? Are they the same as later-model Teneres or even FZRs?

I have spoken to a Yamaha dealer, who claims the Tenere was never officially imported into the UK, and therefore he can't sell me UK headlights. This doesn't seem to make sense...

Apparently putting those little stickers on the lenses will still fail an MOT. Bugger.

Help or advice desperately needed as my insurance company has given me until Monday 31st to get it registered or they will cancel my policy! (eek)

Thanks in advance

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Barry
3AJ Tenere

**john** · #2 26 Mar 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry Johnson:
Hi all

Has anyone imported a 3AJ into the UK from a RHD country? If so, what did you do about the headlights? Are they the same as later-model Teneres or even FZRs?

I have spoken to a Yamaha dealer, who claims the Tenere was never officially imported into the UK, and therefore he can't sell me UK headlights. This doesn't seem to make sense...

Apparently putting those little stickers on the lenses will still fail an MOT. Bugger.

Help or advice desperately needed as my insurance company has given me until Monday 31st to get it registered or they will cancel my policy! (eek)

Your Yamaha dealer is misinformed. The 3AJ was imported into the UK and was identical to the Italian version AFAIK. My 3AJ, also an Italian import, has headlights which dip without delflecting left or right. This is OK for an MoT. Take it for a test and see. I wouldn't go to that Yam dealer if I were you.

Not sure about modifying the headlights if they deflect the wrong way. The MoT guidance website does not mention mods as cause for an MoT fail but I could be missing something:

http://www.motuk.co.uk/mcmanual_120.htm

P.S. Use 35/35 Watt bulbs in the headlights or ONE 55/55 otherwise the battery will go flat when you ride with lights on. Bumping a 3AJ is no joke.

[This message has been edited by john (edited 26 March 2003).]

**POB/London** · #3 26 Mar 2003

Use 35/35 Watt bulbs in the headlights or ONE 55/55 otherwise the battery will go flat when you ride with lights on. Bumping a 3AJ is no joke.

IMHO, put two 55s in, and keep one (I used the RH side) unplugged. This means that round town or on lit roads you have the one, but you *can* use them both if you need to.

Re: bumpstarting, it's actually really easy. When the charging circuit on my 3AJ was knackered I had to bump it every day for at least a month. 3rd gear and full choke is the key. Starts 1st time every time.

**Barry Johnson** · #4 1 Apr 2003

In response to my own post...

The bike passed the MOT without having the headlights changed. I went mad staring at the lenses to try and work out if they dipped to the right (try it and you'll see what I mean), however they appeared symmetrical in every way. The tester didn't test the headlight beam, however in my own backyard test laboratory I discovered that I could remove the right-bias by replacing the standard top mounting pins with threded rods, and adjusting both lights to the left.

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Barry
3AJ Tenere