wheaters
Elio Addict
Hello Wheaters, I thought the Reliant video was funny and was being sarcastic when I linked to it. I know the rules have change since 1975, like any rule or regulation that is "set in stone" there may be a reasonable need to modify it when new ideas or solutions (ELIO) warrant a change. I did not mean to offend, hope I didn't, im sure there are some really good stories of couples tipping that thing over from the back seat.
I wasn't at all offended. I once owned a Reliant three wheeler but I only bought it as a donor for parts to build my Liege. I had it delivered to the house but it was roadworthy and so I jokingly offered to pick up my sons from school in it. They said, "Dad, if we spot you parked up in it outside school, we won't be there!" I took the hint. I parked it on the driveway and took the doors off. As soon as this had been done, the local cats began using it as a toilet, which was as good an opinion as any!
However, back to the headlights issue. I'm afraid that the IVA rules here are cast in stone, at least to the extent that they certainly won't be changed to suit an individual manufacturer and in this case I can fully understand the reasoning behind the requirement for the wider headlight spacing. Many years ago (in the 1970s) I had a very scary experience on an unlit country road, approaching a bend whilst riding my motorcycle. A single headlight appeared, coming in the opposite direction. As there was only one light I presumed it was another bike and spaced myself on the narrow road accordingly. It was actually a large van with no lights on its offside which wasn't obvious almost until we were abeam, it was being driven very fast. As I was leaned into the bend there was little I could do at very short notice. I instinctively moved my head away and the van's wing mirror brushed the side of my helmet. Far too close for comfort; if I hadn't done that I doubt I'd be here today.
Also, I know of a number of car v. motorcycle accidents where car drivers have pulled out of side roads in front of motorcycles and caused serious accidents, including one caused by a female friend of mine. The car drivers said that they thought the bike was actually a car, but much further away, because it had two headlights, very close together. Some bikes in UK were wired so they had both headlights lit on dipped beam, now they seem to have changed the rules on this. Although not quite as extreme as this, the narrow spacing of the Elio headlights ought to be reconsidered because if the vehicle doesn't comply with the lighting regs, I don't see how they can legally sell them in UK. I hope this clarifies my reasoning.