Well someone has it,

Vehicle enquiry

The enquiry is complete.The vehicle details for342 CNRare:Date of Liability01 01 2015Date of First Registration21 03 1963Year of Manufacture1963Cylinder Capacity (cc)650ccCOâ EmissionsNot AvailableFuel TypePETROLExport MarkerNVehicle StatusLicence Not DueVehicle ColourSILVERVehicle Type ApprovalNot AvailablePlease be aware that if the vehicle has recently been relicensed or a SORN declared, these details may not yet be updated on the vehicle record.

Very frustrating when you know it's out there yet you cannot trace it. I know my dad's old Velo exists but similarly have no idea who now owns it. It's tricky though. If a previous owner came to you any was desperate to buy backyour Norton, what would you do? I wouldn't sell mine under any circumstances. And yet for the previous owner, nothing else, no matter how similar,would do. I'm in the fortunate position of having tracked down my late mother in law's Velocette and now have first dibs as and when the current ownerdecides to sell it. Can't get fairer than that.

P.S. The Swedish DVLA equivalent lists the name and address of every registered vehicle, so you can turn up at the door of the owner of the only surviving Spagforth Whippet and plead to buy it.

You can do a current registered keeper enquiry with the DVLA but must have just cause, its the route all these scamming Private Parking companies get your details to send you their speculative invoices, they pay a discounted £2.50 but you will pay £5. The just cause is the bit you need to investigate to find out if wanting your old bike back counts .