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[Chucklebus]

Hello Peeps, I'm restoring a Crusader Sports and want to enhance the frame number so as when the frame is repainted it is not further obscured.
How can I achieve this without falling foul of tampering with legal marking?

[OldBoy67]

Hi
Personally I wouldn’t fiddle with the numbers. It might create unwarranted suspicions in a future potential owners mind.
I take it you have a black frame on the Crusader? If black paint partly fills the marks sometimes it can lower the definition of the numbers making them harder to read.
The problem is not so apparent if the frame number is highlighted and contrasted by a colour other than black.
I had a similar problem on the Continental GT (Crusader) I have which has a black frame, but I noted that the numbers were easily readable on my other Continental which has a silver frame.
So what I did was remove a small section of paint from (and around) the frame number to create a bare rectangle, and then sprayed it with silver paint.
Problem solved. And my MOT tester (who is a fusspot over checking frame numbers) is happy too!
Regards OB

[Mark M]

I really wouldn't try to 'enhance' the numbers. You will need the correct font, not easy to find, and if you muck it up it will just arouse suspicion if an inspection is needed during the re-registration process. If the bike is already registered I wouldn't worry too much, my MOT tester (at least) is happy if the number is more or less legible on the first occasion and after that he doesn't check. Maybe I'm lucky! If you do need to re-register just tape over the number when the metal is bare before paint and leave it exposed, a quick blow over with an aerosol after inspection will be protection enough. The 250s always have very faint numbers compared to the Twins and Bullets, this is because the headstock is fabricated from steel tube and is much harder than the maleable cast iron headstock lug on the bigger frames which is pretty soft. By the way, this is the approach I intend to take with my next build which is a 350 New Bullet, basically a 350 Crusader.

REgards, Mark

[Chucklebus]

Thanks to the guys who responded.
As I said I am restoring the Crusader, however, before I started the process I had the bike MOT'd.
The tester could not get a clear view even as it is.
I was assured it was all original when purchased and must admit I could only just about make out the frame number then.
Which brings me on to the frame/cycle bits. What would be the best thing to do.
Stove Enamel, Powder Coat or Spray Painted???