Hitchcocks Forum

I am the proud owner of a 2004 build 2015 registered Thunderbird with all the import papers, sales receipts and doc's., it had to have an MOT in May this year to be registered on an age related plate.
Now, on some things it seems there is a conflict between MOT requirements and Construction and use, i.e. chain guard missing (passed MOT) but rear seat there-fore needing rear foot pegs, there for needing chain guard to satisfy C & U regs.
Is it o.k. NOT to have a VIN plate on an import (chassis number stamped into head stock and matching engine/chassis numbers), no kill switch on the side stand, no C.E. or E markings on any light lens's, and if any/all of the above are wrong when is it likely to become a problem?
The VIN plate is my biggest concern, but DVLA have registered it on the head-stock stamping so I think I must be o.k. stating Type Approval Number EXEMPT in the V5.
Bearing in mind how many of these un-official imports are in the country I cant see a problem, but if there is going to be one its bound to me that's the test case!
Another small problem was trying to get insurance companies to accept the name THUNDERBIRD, or run away when I mentioned import, DVLA have it so why do they insist I ride a Superstar?
Perseverance saw it through, with Bennets giving the best quote AND finally, after 3 attempts accepting its a THUNDERBIRD!
Do imports usually have all these niggling problems?
Cheers
Terry

I removed the VIN plate from mine because it looked so awkward and out of place and its never been mentioned at the MOT. Removing the side stand switch is a basic mod. that many owners do once the rain and road crap get into it and leave them stranded. Again not part of any MOT so far as I'm aware. None of my light lenses carry any EU markings either and I can't see any tester bothering to look for them, certainly my local chap doesn't.

Registering an import can be a headache. Thankfully, it's a lot easier if the bike in question is over 10 years old (No MSVA test to worry about). When I MOT'd my Lightning. It was (with the exception of the headlight) nut and bolt factory standard. It still passed its MOT. Insurance was a problem. I had to hunt around for someone who knew what a 500 Lightning was. I got there eventually. Time has moved on. Both the Thunderbird and 535 Lightning do come up in Insurance search engines. The 500 doesn't though. According to the search engine (When you type in the Registration number), my bike doesn't exist. It used to come up as a Superstar.

after three attempts, Bennetts saw it as a Thunderbird?



I went to add my Meteor Minor to my Bennetts insurance, but they said it was not 'on the list' and so could not insure me.



As there were only 4 days to run, I thanked them and went to Carole Nash. Never thought to badger them three times! plus

I get that repatriation and roadside recovery if my bike happened to be abroad in europe.....,,,.... Ahem....... ! Nuff said,very nice of them indeed !

Nope, Bennets still dont see it as a Thunderbird, after all the phone calls and getting the papers they cover it as a 'Bullet 350' as they cant find Thunderbird so use the generic name Bullet, which technically it is, better than 'Superstar' I 'spose!