My townie has just failed it's MOT on the colour of the front sidelights. Apparently they should be white and mine are amber, it passed last year but my MOT centre said it must have been a backhander as it has been legislation for ages. Anyone know where I can get white sidelights from?

- (#11870) Sue, 1 Jul 04 09:09

But they are not side lights they are fog lights, and as such form no part of the MOT. If you want to make an issue of it, you can appeal the failure, but for speed you might just want to change the bulbs. Information on how to do this is on Ace Answers. Link at top of page.
- (#11870) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 1 Jul 04 09:19

Sue, Dave,
Which lights are they?
There are two front amber lights on my Townace. One is wired up to the indicator the inner ones have no bulb (or connector). both in the strip under the headlight, is it these that are perhaps running lights in Japan and not wired correctly for the UK?
- (#11870) Clive (Bristol), 1 Jul 04 09:34

Yup, that's it Clive. You've got to disconnect the cornering lights and run the sidelight feed to them...

- (#11870) David Miller, 1 Jul 04 09:39

There I go again, assuming!
I had assumed it was the lights next to the headlights not the Jap running or UK indicators.
As Ian would say, I'll get me coat.

- (#11870) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 1 Jul 04 09:52

So Sue,
If you have a white light that only comes on when indicating with side lights on - you shouldn't have.
If the white lights (the ones at the side) come on as side lights as well as the front amber ones, just remove the bulbs in the front amber ones.
I trust that is all the ace failed on?
Do you live anywhere near Bridport, if yes come along to the Ace Jam and we will get it sorted for you.

- (#11870) Clive (Bristol), 1 Jul 04 10:09

I have a 1989 Royal Lounge which has passed its MOT without any problems for the past 3 years and I have amber running lights next to the front indicators that come on with the white side lights. I drive my Townie every night after dark and I have never been stopped by the Police for having amber running lights.
I have also seen another Townie with amber running lights at the front and the rear indicators were also constanly lit but became brighter when indicating and braking. It still had its stop/tail lamps operating as normal. I suggest to Sue that she either contests her MOT or takes her Townie to somewhere else.

- (#11870) Bill, 3 Jul 04 16:25

The amber running lights under the headlamps ARE quite legal, but do not constitute side lamps. You must disconnect the clear 'cornering at nught lamps' fit 5w bulbs & connect these into the running lights wiring. Then you have the amber & clear lamps coming on with the tail lamps. Nothing illegal about having the marker/running lamps, Volvo S/V40, Range Rover etc all have them.

Regards Rob.

- (#11870) Rob Drinkwater, 3 Jul 04 17:43