Z1OwnersClub GB

what year does your bike have to be to get away with a black number plate?

I believe it maybe pre Aug '73, Bedlow1 will know.

Just googled it as I wasn't sure.

Anything before 1st Jan 1973 can have black & silver plates

and free road tax

That's right guys, "K" reg and before

is that just for MOT purpose, or is it against the traffic laws to ride around with a black number plate , as my z1a is 74 i put the a yellow plate on for the MOT and black plate on after the Mot , not been stopped yet ,
it would have to be a sad copper to pull you in for that.
but I suppose ther are some sad coppers out there somwhere.

bunnysZ wrote:is that just for MOT purpose, or is it against the traffic laws to ride around with a black number plate , as my z1a is 74 i put the a yellow plate on for the MOT and black plate on after the Mot , not been stopped yet ,
it would have to be a sad copper to pull you in for that.
but I suppose ther are some sad coppers out there somwhere.

you knowthat you are breaking the law so dont moan at the copper for doing his job

I was pulled once for that, they weren't sure as mine was a June '73 Z1 (DCF 60L) so they let me off, mind you that was 15yrs ago and technology has moved on.

DogsbolloxofZ1B wrote:mine was a June '73 Z1 (DCF 60L)

That plate / bike was used in a Kawasaki advert to demonstrate the resale value of used Kawasakis.

It could be seen on the rear cover of many contemporary magazines.

I thought it related to the Purple H2 though ?

That's correct, my reg plate was put on the H2 for some reason. Kawasaki UK asked to borrow my bike for that series of shots, lots used, and I offered to leave it in its original green/Yellow colour but they , for obvious reasons, preferred the Root Beer scheme and as I had a NOS set as well I obliged.

I've been into Z1 ownership since '76, those were the days.

Has anyone got that picture to post here ?

I`m feeling the need for some hand relief

Mr james is correct

K reg ran Aug 71 - July 72
L reg ran Aug 72 - July 73

It is legal to fit black/silver plates to a L reg vehicle so long as it was registered before 1/1/73, the later L regs therefore had to be yellow/black reflective

Thank you Mr Bedlow,

I think the thing with the cops is that there will be very few if any who would know the exact date the plates changed from black & silver to reflective. If you get stopped be polite and plead ignorance. They are far more interested in pulling people for having small plates than the wrong colour.

Sure i mentioned this before but here goes.
Thought i would relate an event that took place recently. Myself and another with illegal number plates were stopped on the M3 just before Winchester. Unusual i thought to be pulled on the M'way for a minor offence which both of us were confused about. Decent copper (and i do mean that) examined my number plate and told me what i just told you. He examined my mates plate and told him that it was the most illegal plate he had ever seen (both bought from malplates, so only any good for shows not for the road)

He said something like this; if he wanted to push the issue he could prosecute for the number plates.
We would then loose our entitlement to use those alpha numerics ever again. They would revert back to the DVLA's ownership (them being a business now, it appears you are allowed to use that sequence of numbers and letters under 'licence')
You then have to apply for another number and most likely have to pay for it.
Having re-registered your vehicle you then have to have it inspected by the DOT. Presumeably then you have to re-MOT it because it has a new index if these things are not done at the same time.

You insurance company want you to begin a new insurance policy for the new registration but no............ they wont insure you because you have an age related plate from the very scilly isles and it makes them suspicious that it has been modified or written off.

You then come to sell the bike and hey ho ............. no-one wants it cos it is registered with 'funny' numbers.

Apparently number plate offences are taken very seriously by Hampshires finest.

Long story short. He bid us on our merry way.
Later that day my mate got photo'd by a mobile van camera. Luckily though it was from the front.... just as well cos he was indicating that he was driving a V twin to the nice occifer.

Sure you all knew this already though.



AL

yes agree

Plod fined me for this number plate on one of my bikes, and said I could have the plate reported and withdrawn if he caught me again, as the plate was expensive to buy ive now got it on retention for a few years. Shame realy did used to get a few toots and laughs from motorists