Number Plates

Your link tells you that you must have an 11mm margin around the letters and numbers. So this will determine the plate size.

So I have a friend with the bike reg CU8. He would only need a small plate. But for a normal AB12 CDE

OR

AB12
CDE

You would end up with a standard plate size.

 

I have standard plates on the Triumphs but a smaller than legal one on the Enfield otherwise it obscures the reflector. Never had any bother.

 

I run a slightly smaller plate, I've never had any problems

 

heres a comparison for you the large plate(legal) is 8.5 x 9.5 the smaller one (cough cough) is 6 x 8 the letters are the same 2.5 inches high



The larger size looks stupid if you have a tail tidy on

 

I've even been getting away with a cheeky black and silver one!

 

Half ton sets himself up perfectly there!

"Never thought we would be owning up to who has the smallest one .... I have never had a pull"

 

I've always run a smaller plate than standard legal.

If you don't take the proverbial, you'll be fine. I think the legal size is 9"x7", but I'm currently running 8x6, and have done for years. Never been pulled yet. Plenty of the online makers deliver next day.

ATB

Bob

 

I ran with a 7x5 for years and never had any problems. Loads on e-bay for under a tenner

 

Can't recommend anywhere in london, but if you go in say it's for display purposes and you'll be fine

 

The law states that under the Construction & Use Regulations a number plate has to be of a specific size with specific sized lettering of a specific style lettering and it must have the plate maker's name, post code and BSAU 145d marked on it.
You should have to show either a certificate or vehicle documents relating to said vehicle to an approved maker to obtain the plate.
The law does now recognize Country flags, i.e Scotland, England, Ireland & Wales and makes provision for a SMALL flag to be displayed on the left hand side bottom of the plate in place of the E.U. flag which is optional anyway.
Lettering must not be spaced to make up names, fixing screws must not alter digits and must all be on a yellow or white reflective back-ground after 1 Jan 1973 (I think)
You can have a thin border, but no pretty patterns, 'Triumph' or anything in the back-ground.
All plates should be mounted vertically. (so the gatso's/av.spd. camera's can get you!)
Most plate makers at shows or eBay will state that the plates they make are not road legal and are show plates only to cover themselves, they may not even call them registration plates!
They will not put a BSAU 145d or post code on.
Police powers can be very stringent, plates that are obviously taking the piss can get a vehicle taken off the road there and then, at the very least you may have to get the vehicle mot'ed even if its less than 3 years old with conforming plate(s) + a fixed penalty fine for the 1st offence, more severe for repeat offenders.
My mate in Chelmsford proved this last bit, got done 3 times, twat, 3rd time it went to court with a total of £250 fine & costs.!!
The copper was a jobsworth like that Nairn git on the box, couldn't say a thing without him interpreting it as an 'answer back', did him for a noisy exhaust even though the laws have changed on that too, only ones illegal now are marked 'not for road use' and its down to the Police/Vosa or MOT tester to decide if the decibels are too high, he did!
All down to some bastard in a curly wig not liking bikers in the court too!!!
So there you go, is it worth the risk?, it depends very much on your area, I know Welsh forces don't like bikers from over the border, Derbyshire seemed o.k. when I lived there, had better things to do unless you antagonized them, up here they don't seem bothered at all!
Certainly if I was touring County/Countrywide I wouldn't chance it though, the knives may be out!
Terry

 

Although I removed the black and silver plate for the MOT today - the Enfield passed with it's 7 x 5 yellow plate and virtually un- silenced exhaust.

 

It's going to be a Scrambler when it grows up!

 

Good news there then Steve, exhaust noise level is soley down to the examiner, another might have failed it or put an 'advisory'.
Just checked my plate, its and odd size, 6x8, but has the makers details and BSAU 145d, by the look of the screws its been on it all its life as I have paper work going back to the original purchaser, Rafferty Newman of Portsmouth.
I got to be REALLY unlucky to get a copper stroppy enough to nick me for that!!!!!