The Harness Thread [Types/Brands/Legality] - Saxperience

simmo · 2nd October 2011, 21:41

So on the way home from santapod I got stopped by the plod for not wearing my seatbelt.

After pointing out the bright red sabelt harnesses he still insisted they were not roadworthy and my MOT and insurance were now invalid etc etc..

Out of the "Goodness" of his heart he let me go but insisted he's coming to my house thursday to make sure ive taken them out and fitted proper seatbelts etc etc.

Now im assuming my downfall was that i had taken my original seatbelts out? I thought seeing as that my harnesses are sold on the deamontweeks website as "Road Legal" that i could swap them out for the normal inertia belt?

Anyway my ultimate question is to the guys who have road/track cars..

Which Harnesses do you use?
Do you have a rollcage?
Are they floor mounted or harness bar?
Any fitting problems etc?
Are they "road legal"

Im using Sabelt harnesses at the moment. Apparantly Road legal but plod seems to think not.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motors...ness/1755/1118

When i get a proper cage with harness bar i was thinking of some 6 points. Cant seem to find any that are road legal.

Hopefully we can get some good discussion going on as its not easy to dig out info from the web.

Cheers

Ollie

Aaron · 2nd October 2011, 21:46

of course there road legal.

the harness does have to be fitted tight to body though!(if loose police man could have a go)

mr police man was probably having a bad day, didnt like your car etc.
or wasnt 100% sure on law

if he told you it wasnt road worthy, and tryed to take the car off you, he would be very wrong and most likely be in trouble.

The legality is that you need to use UK Road Legal harnesses /not FIA]. These are harnesses that have the std clasp like your seatbelts with the red button. My Cobra Harnesses are road legal.

They also need to be mounted correctly.

You do not need the std belts installed with harnesses!

they have to be ECE approved by the looks of mine and yours..

AlexB^p · 3rd October 2011, 07:07

I got pulled years back for not having my belt on when in a harness (cause its not visible from the b pillar to your shoulder) copper came to my window saw the harness explained "i thought you werent wearing a seatbelt" and said off you go

Probably having a bad day
Also to check the car at a later datw you need to be issued a vehicle defect form then go to an mot registered garage get the defect checked/if your repaired get it oked they stamp the form and you take it to the station unless the car is deemed unroadworthy and confiscated and then theres a lot more to it but ive never been in that situation myself

Sounds like a copper having a bad day tbh

MR_N · 10th October 2011, 08:12

Right lets try and get this thread a bit more active.......

i want a harness, only one at the moment. Requirements are;

4 Point
3" Lap and Shoulder
Good Quality
Not costing the earth
Black
No preference on buckle
Would be good to have the option for a crutch strap at a later date

Now i wanted a Scroth but cant justify paying the earth for it.
Now im seriously looking at Sabelt. However that's at the very top end of my budget, Are the OMP 801's worth a look in?

Suggestions?

OMP 801:
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Search...1191&s=801+omp

Sabelt:
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motors...ness/1755/1086
(Remember you need to add VAT to the prices on DemonThieves)

adamskiTNR · 10th October 2011, 09:02

I have OMP 804 leggera 6 points. And have no complaints thus far. Good quality buckle and adjusters. The standard 801 harnesses use different adjuster's so that's a mystery. From the pictures they look to be less high end compared. Although 801's do come in leggera form with the aluminium adjusters

MiniGibbo · 10th October 2011, 09:37

Tell him to suck his mums tits when he knocks on the door and shut the door in his face..

Did they bring in a new rule last year that as long as the harness is in date with FIA itll pass MOT's reguardless of clasps meaning we can now use air style craft type buckles.

Ross^p · 10th October 2011, 10:23

http://wiki.seloc.org/a/MOT_Requirem..._and_Harnesses

adamskiTNR · 10th October 2011, 16:27

I get through mot's with an aero buckle. As long as it all looks safe and well put together i don't think they will call you on it

MiniGibbo · 10th October 2011, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamskiTNR

I get through mot's with an aero buckle. As long as it all looks safe and well put together i don't think they will call you on it

Well unless the tester is anal and hell go over it all and give you an advisory for every missing trim peice as well..

simmo · 10th October 2011, 17:40

Im guessing thats the E stamp which means they are road legal?

Ross cant believe you found that i must have googled harness laws about 20 times!

Ross^p · 10th October 2011, 18:12

lol Olly - strictly by chance mate, although it may be a bit out of date if Gibbo is right? I've had harnesses on for the last two MOT's (at different garages) and never had a problem, even with standard seatbelts removed.

I suspect the MOT inspector looks at the quality of the install and security (and conditions of the belts etc) rather than the actual markings - I for sure know which I'd rather be in in a crash. 3 point standard belt can GTFO compared to a 6 point Scroth harness, thanks very much!

Gabbastard · 10th October 2011, 20:00

Never had a problem passing MOT's with mine. I asked the guy who MOT'd mine before about the legality of harnesses; his response was "I know what Id rather be wearing in a crash".

edit: mine are 4 point aero release.

ryanmt · 10th October 2011, 23:03

I think the law states they need to have the red push button to be road legal. I have 3 point willans and never had issues.

Gordon · 11th October 2011, 00:27

I have the same ones as you, Ollie, and have had no problems. It seems your copper was just at the end of a long day and needed to feel importiant.

4 point sabelt road harness mounted to rear floor on my side, 3 point on the left.

Gabbastard · 11th October 2011, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanmt

I think the law states they need to have the red push button to be road legal.

Guy who mot'd mine before said something about them needing to be able to be released under load, with one hand. Not sure if thats true.

KamRacing · 11th October 2011, 13:43

All road legal harnesses have the standard seatbelt type catch. I doubt you will be getting a visit by the policeman again once he checks his facts.

Race harnesses have the FIA style aero catch buckle. I've seen plenty of cars pass with those though technically these are not allowed.

DanGT · 11th October 2011, 20:39

As standard the Megane R26.R (one with perspex windows and roll cage, etc) had the twist lock FIA type harnesses. I haven't heard of any of those failing MOT's. Although strictly they should, but anything correctly marked with normal buckles should be road legal/safe

Dan

simmo · 12th October 2011, 20:24

Id love 6 Point's but i cant find ANY road legal ones. Ive heard that Scroth do a 6 point with an aero catch style but you press a centre button (does the same action for unbuckling inside) instead of a catch as it allows you to undo the belt with 1 hand which is whats needed to pass MOT apparantly.

3 Points just dont feel safe enough

Ross^p · 12th October 2011, 23:39

You mean this?:
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motors..._ASM/1755/1176

Is a 4 point, but you can purchase a sub strap to turn it into a 5 or 6 point harness.

If you get really stuck, the FE fitting is available on it's own, and is interchangeable with the regular schroth (RFR) camlock - so you could, if you so desired, just get the FE camlock and fit it to your existing schroth harnesses (if you have them already of course!).

MR_N · 13th October 2011, 08:00

Really considering the OMP 801 Leggeras over the Sabelt now. For the price they look a great quality harness