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[Alan R]

Hi guys------ this subject matter is totally new to me, so here goes}--------- On the 1950's Army Despatch Riders bike that I'm re-creating from a 1992 Classic 500, I want to have an actual Reg. No. of that period on a Black/White plate and a Lucas 525 rear lamp..... What's the rules/regs. on this and how do I get that "new", old reg. No. allocated ??------------- I bet there's a V form and ££££ involved ??---------- Thanks for any help you can give...

[grunda 12]

alan my dear boy! because your bike was manufactured after 1973 you can,t legally fit a black & white plate you could get a number off the dvla or 1 of these cherished plate firms pre 63 type plates are probably around £500 ,i know loads of people who have black & silver plates on 10 plate numbers etc i even know a bloke who has a black & silver plate over a black & yellow how daft is that ? i,ve never bothered with that fashion as it is a £60 on the spot fine even with a dated reg your bike will still pop up on the computor as a 1992 enfield sorry to rain on your parade paul.

[PeteF]

I'm afraid grunda's right though people do get away with it. I know a bloke who has an old number in black and white on his 2008 bike and it went through an MOT. The lamp is quite legal though.

[Riggers]

Hi Alan. I ride with a black and silver plate on my 2000 Classic. For many years the guy at the MOT station used to pass it without quibble. He always maintained that it wasn't a requirement for the MOT as it would be stretching a point to say the plate affected the bike's safe use. However it was technically illegal under Construction and Use Regulations. However these past couple of years he's changed his mind and won't now pass it as he reckons that VOSA (or whoever look after these things) have tightened up on the rules. So now I simply swop the plate for a yellow one for the MOT and put the black and silver one back on once I get home. I have never, ever been bothered by the boys in blue about this as I really don't think they can be arsed. Cheers. Tony

[John R]

Likewise I rode in the UK for many years with a black and sliver plate - I did change the plate for a yellow one just for the MOT. Here on the paradise Island of Guernsey - no MOT, black and silver plates are legal and most vehicles have them, you can ride a 50cc at 14, you can ride anything on L plates (double take when I first saw a Harley Sportster with L Plates!), no Road tax, unleaded is is 117p per litre.

[hubb]

Hi Alan,all of the above is correct and pre 60's are expensive with little chance of re-couping your outlay but only likely to be picked up by the police as part of another offense[no insurance/tax etc].As you know I'm willing to take the chance with my '64 plate that I bought cheaply.However if your bike is at a show or exhibition at a showground you can put whatever plates you like on whilst there and then swap back the real ones for the road. All the best,john

[grunda 12]

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[hubb]

Another option Alan,to get a 'dateless'plate a little less expensively is get a N.Ireland plate.These typically have an I or Z in them ie.DKZ 909 and are sold by companies such as National Numbers.co.uk.You're still looking at about £325 +admin fee though.

[Alan R]

Hi guys, WOW !!-- what a response !!!Many thanks to you all------- I'd guessed it might be something along those lines so I will have the modern yellow plate but with a legal 1950's style rear lamp..Ironically the front end will be quite legal with no number plate.. I'm sure that the real despatch riders didn't have them either when on active duty ??... It'll be a while yet but will post some photos when ready (Current estimate is on-road this time next year---or sooner if extra funds become available ).Cheers.....

[Alan R]

Hi guys-------not much I know but something tangible at long last..The fuel tank was bought at Stafford for a tenner !!... Modified to take our hosts screw-down cap and recessed screws fitted to take the old-fashioned knee grips (off E-Bay)... Then sent to TCP at Norwich for full de-paint, E-10 proofed liner and grey primer...Rear shocks dismantled, overhauled, painted and re-assembled.... The solo saddle is taken from No1 Bullet and ready to use....HUBB and MARK M, your mudguards are next to bat !!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------