Latest regulations on motorcycle and motorbike rims, everyone should know

The Ministry of Transport has just issued Circular No. 46/2023 stipulating the National Technical Regulation on technical requirements and testing methods for motorcycle and motorbike wheel rims (QCVN 113:2023/BGTVT). The Circular takes effect from July 1, 2024.

This Circular annuls Circular No. 52/2012/TT-BGTVT dated December 21, 2012 of the Minister of Transport on promulgating 03 National Technical Regulations on spare parts of motorcycles and motorbikes.

For testing records registered before the effective date of QCVN 113:2023/BGTVT, testing and quality certification shall continue according to QCVN 44:2012/BGTVT or QCVN 46:2012/BGTVT.

Within one year from the effective date of this Circular, rims and wheel rims that have been certified for quality according to QCVN 44:2012/BGTVT or QCVN 46:2012/BGTVT do not need to be re-tested or re-certified.

QCVN 113:2023/BGTVT applies to establishments that manufacture and import rims or wheel rims for motorcycles and mopeds, establishments that manufacture and assemble motorcycles and mopeds, and agencies and organizations involved in the management, testing, and quality certification of rims and wheel rims for motorcycles and mopeds. (Note: Not applicable to rims and wheel rims used for security and defense purposes.)

Accordingly, QCVN 113:2023/BGTVT has added an explanation of the terms rim, rim plate, wheel rim to identify the object.

Specifically, the wheel rim is the load-bearing part between the tire and the axle, usually consisting of two main parts: the rim and the wheel rim, which can be manufactured as a single piece or as a composite structure.

A one-piece construction wheel is a wheel in which the rim and the wheel hub are manufactured as one piece.

Meanwhile, the wheel rim with composite structure is the wheel rim with rim, wheel rim is linked together into a block through joints (can be removed).

Rims and wheel rims are considered to be of the same type if they have the same design, brand, manufacturing facility, manufacturing facility address and there is no difference in any of the following technical characteristics: Diameter code and nominal width code; Rim and wheel rim structure; Use for tires (with tube or tubeless); Maximum allowable load on the wheel; Material used to make the rim and wheel rim.

QCVN 113:2023/BGTVT also clearly stipulates the technical requirements of rims and wheel rims. In particular, the general requirements that must be met are:

- Rims and wheel rims must be manufactured in accordance with the design or technical documentation of the manufacturer;

- The rim surface and wheel rim must not have visible cracks, splits or other defects;

- On the rim, the wheel rim must be marked with the diameter code and the nominal width code of the rim (marked according to the instructions in Appendix A) in visible positions after the tire is mounted;

- The rim and wheel rim must be rust-proof (plated, painted, anti-rust material, etc.). This does not apply to parts that are not visible on the rim and wheel rim surface after the tire is installed;

- The dimensions and tolerances of the rim and wheel rim must be in accordance with the design documents or technical documents of the manufacturer. Concave center rims (types WM, MT, LF) must have dimensions and tolerances according to Appendix A of QCVN 113:2023/BGTVT.

In addition, the rim used in the wheel rim with spoke structure must have a rim diameter deviation not greater than 1.2 mm; the largest gap between the rim and the reference plane must not be greater than 0.8 mm.

For rims, wheel rims (not applicable to rims with spoked construction) must have: Radial load resistance; Radial impact resistance; Torsional moment resistance. After these tests, the wheel rim surface must not show cracks, obvious deformation or any abnormal loosening at the joints.

In addition, wheel rims used for tubeless tires must also be tested for air tightness. After testing, there must be no air leakage through the wheel rim in the form of visible air bubbles.

Manufactured, assembled and imported rims and wheels must be tested and certified according to current regulations on technical safety quality and environmental protection.

Minh Hoa (t/h)

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