So seeing that a "standard" road wheel for a mini is 10"... does that mean we can get 10" steering wheels????

yer lol.
if cops want to defect u they will find something, at the end of the day as soon as ur car isnt standard they can defect u. most dont but every now and again there's a dickhead cop out there..
unless u slept with his daughter or something.. then he has all the reason in the world

it's different with every case, the day after i bought my car i got done for having the exhaust to low, i told him i had just bought the car and was on my way to get it mounted up and he was fine with it, show a little cleavage and ur all good

In NZ at least, the rules were tightened to stop people putting in home-made chain link steering wheels, although a general "good taste" rule would have covered that I think. The chainlink wheels were basically rib-cage crushing barriers and caused a few deaths. Nowadays as long as it is a reputable brand you're okay. And how safe is an original Mini wheel? No deformation, sharp protrusions when it breaks etc.

seriously guys, how many of you dont have paper element air filters? or have an aftermarket gearknob? They are all defects... ever driven around without having water in your washer jets, I got defected for that.... And i wasnt being a smart ass, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

change your wheels and just keep the original one incase the cops want to be wankers to you one day....

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68matic: "i havent seen much head in my life "

I think you're wrong there. They may TRY and defect you for such things, but that does not mean the defect was legal. If they can't prove it's illegal, then you can complain.

The VicRoads website is clear on most modifications - what's allowed and what's not. It does not mention gearknobs or filter elements. I expect the NSW one would be similar?

Please show us in RTA ink (or bandwidth) where you got the information that a non-standard gear knob or non-original air filter element is illegal.

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

not sure of tyhe link.... i have asked at the rta before and they have told me that aftermakret gearknobs without the H-pattern on them are illegal. AS are pod filters(and non-boxed filters) as they are too noisy.....
filters are mostly picked up on rice rockets though

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68matic: "i havent seen much head in my life "

bwahahahaha - you wish you lived in victoria, no annual roadworthies either, and we get away with anything (well, nearly)

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Don't take their word.. ask for the relevant ADR in writing.
Nothing on their website http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/ ... /vsi07.pdf
about this at all.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Okay, now I follow you.

Yes, I can see why the H pattern has to be on the knob - its the only way someone unfamiliar with the car can drive it.

As reagrds the filters, I thought you were referring to the aftermaket replacement filters (eg: K&N gauze panel filter in a stock airbox). The pod filters would also possibily cause issues with the emissions gear on a modern car. But on a pre-1976 (ADR 27A) car (1969) it would be pretty hard to declare a Ram Flo or similar illegal.

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

There are millions of cars out there without the H? pattern on the knob, or with makers logo (eg Lotus) instead. I think it's BS.. would not stand up in court.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Really? If they can't get it into first, they won't go far... Seems pretty strange, given that if you have to look at the symbol on top of the gear lever to change gears, you probably shouldn't have a licence. Crikey, couple that with no washer fluid and the horrendous noise from a K&N filter and it's a wonder any of us are alive today.

Steering wheels though, if not regulated in some way, are part of the drivechain controls etc, and you can bet some people whould drive with a pair of mole grips attached to the splines of the column if no-one told them it was illegal. Like the guy in the states who engaged cruise control in his camper van, then went back to make a cup of coffee. Actually just checked: Apparently an urban myth but you get my point.

Gear shift patterns can differ between cars. You need to know the shift pattern to drive it! But it would only take a quick look at the gearstick (or sticker on the dash) to familiarise yourself. I used to drive a 91 Kombi, a 91 Golf GTi and a 68 Mini. All had different shift patterns.
Kombi:
R24
135

Golf:
R135
_ 24

Mini:
13_
24R

If the knob was removed on the Kombi, and you went to select first in the "normal" spot as in the Mini, you would get reverse. First was where second normally was. As a new P plater it was all a bit confusing at first.

But I conceed it's probably trivial when it's your own car.

The fact remains the cops will find somethiung to get you on if they want. Even if you are driving a stock brand new car.

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

In WA at least, a steering wheel is a mod that needs approval..
From the licensing website:

Sports type steering wheels may be fitted where they are of sound construction and conform with the following:
Rims and spokes must be of metal construction with a continuous rim

Wooden rims will not be accepted unless continuously reinforced with metal;

The mounting boss must be compatible with the original column and all features such as anti-theft locks etc. must function correctly.

Check steering wheel conformity with ADR requirements.

No wheel will be accepted which is smaller than 333mm (13").

The wheel must be robustly constructed.

Cutting down of the original wheel boss to accept the new wheel will not be permitted.

All essential instrumentation must be visible with the new steering wheel in place.

The website also has a list of mods not needing approval. found here:
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/myvehicle/safe/modifications/minor.html

Cheers

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If it squeaks and leaks, then its sure to be a mini

Building a dream one nap at a time....

http://spaces.msn.com/members/derbydog/

the point i was trying to make is, we all have something illegal in our cars. Its just the way 99.9999% of 30 yr old cars are. Be it a paddy hopkirk pedal (illegal because of no rubber on the pedal surface), no washer fluid or even having no cover over the firewall hole on round noses..... (mine used to at least lol)

Despite these trivial illegal things our cars are safe, otherwise they wouldnt pass rego. If you modify with an ambition not to make the car any less safe, i think you should be fine....

Just don't get caught in a blitz..... Many younger drivers just get pulled over and hasseled because they are young... I know as I am....

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68matic: "i havent seen much head in my life "

Man...there are holes in those words big enough to drive a Mack Truck through....words such as "of sound construction", "robustly constructed" and "essential instrumentation " are all open to interpretation.

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"Show me the Mini!"