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The world of what shaken (vehicle inspection) seems shrouded in mystery. What it is, and what one needs to do to get one's bike past it. As it turns out, it can be very easy to do yourself. Here is a report on two netter's experience going through shaken in Tokyo. These notes have been edited (by Jeffrey Friedl) for the FAQ. Re: getting Jeff McAffer's bike shaken'ed. Original message posted by Rex Harris on 7 Jun 95. Heavily edited, with many things from Jeff's posts added in.
It was so simple!
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About a week prior, Jeff called for an appointment at 03-9458-9237. [you must now use an automated system at 03-5461-2288 -- see next message in this FAQ]. They will give you a reservation number - don't forget it. You can fill out the forms any time you want, but you need the reservation to get the actual check done. Jeff also pre-paid his city tax, which maybe you could do here but we didn't. After we were done with the shaken, we both felt that this time and day of week (Wednesday at 1:00pm) was pretty optimum. Wednesday - most shops are closed so very few bikes will be doing the shaken and 1:00pm is right after lunch - so you go early and you can be at the front of the lines. Be sure to bring ALL of your paper work for the bike.
We arrived at 12:30pm. The place was really easy to find, right on Kaigan Dori kinda near Haneda Airport.
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We walked into the closest building to the main road (this is actually just in front of the EXIT of the facility) and found we were at the right place. (Note the time: ~12:30pm, the place was empty and we just glided through.) Everybody here was very helpful too. In this building, we went to counter #16 [YMMV about the counter numbers] and picked up the shaken forms to be filled out (25 yen). Then went to the end of the counter to #16 to pay for his insurance (jibaiseki hoken, 27,800 yen). Then we slide back to #15 and handed the lady the forms to be filled out (1,300 yen). Two minutes later we slide down the counter to #13 to pay the weight tax (jyuuryou zei - 5,000 yen) plus 1,400 for the inspection fee. This completes everything at the first building and all expenses. Grand total 35,525 yen . That's everything! And we were out of there within 10 minutes.
Then we move the bike to the far left back corner. Recommend just moving it directly into line for the bike check (middle back building - can't miss it), line number 1 &/or 2.
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Then go to the BACK left building (building D) and wait till they finish lunch (12:45). Get in line now before the rest of the people arrive. It still wasn't that bad though. You have to put your paper work on the bottom of the stack in front of window #2 (youyaku kakunin) for checking, then get in line for window #4 for picking it up again. This finishes this step - this was the worst but not bad at all really.
Then you get to go over to the next building (#7 -- they are all really very close together) and a guy checks your reservation number and stamps your paper work. He also reviews your maintenance records at this time. Make sure you check all the right boxes, etc in your manufacturers manual/maintenance log booklet.
On this, Jeff McAffer wrote:
I didn't have all the boxes checked even though my shop did the check. Note that this was just a regular maintenance check that you do every 3,000 km or so. Not something specifically for shaken. They want the check to be sometime recent. Mine was in March (3 months ago) which might have been pushing it. Anyway, the guy just told me to check the unchecked boxes and sent me on my way. Cool!
Then you walk back to the bike at the actual inspection area. The time now is about 1:08pm.
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You move your bike up to the inspector, he strikes the bike in various areas with a metal bar to check for loose bolts around the brakes & axles, chain tension, etc. Checks lights, signals, tires. Jeff had a new back but the front was no problem), horn, turn engine off and on.
Jeff blew it here, but everything turned out ok. His bulb is a two colour bulb - yellow with blue highlights. It must be solid white or solid yellow. We promised we would change it later and the inspector said ok.
Then roll the bike forward onto a simple track that is flush with the ground and they spin the front wheel up to ?40km/h and check the speedometer. Then with the rollers stopped you apply brake and the try spin rollers. Then slide the bike forward for the rear - same brake check. happening. I have to say I don't understand the brake test. Unless they have some really sophisticated measuring formula or something it is utterly trivial. I mean, I barely applied the brakes...
Then roll the bike forward again and they check the headlight brightness and adjustment. Jeff did not have his professionally adjusted and it was fine.
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This completes the shaken inspection. Next he had to go to the second floor of building A window #6 and pick up his sticker. Walk down stairs and apply sticker to number plate and you are FINISHED! (Time: 1:25pm) 34,700yen, less than an hour and it was all sooooooooo painless! I can't believe that the shops charge you for this, nor can I believe how insignificant the checks are. You probably need a bit of Japanese but there really isn't that much to say. You don't have to write anything and with this guide, you don't really have to understand what anyone says. Of course, if there are problems... As a side note. My [Jeff McAffer] feeling was that they were a little easier on me because I'm not Japanese. Perhaps they were not sure if I would understand what they said? Dunno. Anyway, everyone (except the old bat in building D) was *very* nice and helpful. Even the mechanics from shops who were also doing shaken were volunteering help and advice. This potentially horrible experience has turned into probably my best experience with a Japanese bureaucracy!
The experience with the automated reservation system--If the shaken is done by the "user" then you can only make the reservation by the automated system now. Here's how.
Phone 03-5461-2288.
Wait till after the system finishes the introduction, press '0'
Wait one second, then enter service number '9111'
Then enter the date - press '01' for the first of the month, '02' for the second, etc, etc
Press '1' for morning, '2' for afternoon
Enter the number of bikes to be done (obviously, '1' if just you). Listen to see if that time is full (MANPAI; 満杯) or not. If so - try another day/time sequence. You can try about four times, then the system says to get off and re-dial. If NOT manpai - then you need to input a secret PIN number (you choose four digits), then it will tell you the reservation number (YOYAKUBANGO; 予約番号) which you will need during the inspection. You can cancel the reservation up until 2:00pm of the previous day. This is what you would use the PIN number for I assume.
Here's one bike shop's checklist to prepare for shaken. Of course, to a bike shop, shaken is a big money-maker because they can use the occasion to replace every part that has a spec of dust on it. YMMV. Added by John Crossley:
その他の点検項目 (other)
This DIY approach, or "User Shaken" ??????, can save a lot of money. There is a list of 60 points required by law that are to be checked every 24 months, called the tenkenseibi kirokubo ???????. The items include brake linings, belts, hoses, pipes, spark plugs, tires, wheels, mufflers, as well as other items that may be worn, rusty, loose, old, etc. You can also view the whole list in Japanese.
One site with info in detail (Japanese only) is MLIT Car Inspection/Registration Guide. For an more info in English, see the National Agency of Vehicle Inspection page. There is also a good discussion thread on this.
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