Imported Commando

If you mean MOT'd using the engine number, because you told the tester it should be the same number, then tester is at fault. He is supposed to find the VIN number on the chassis. However, if your NOVA documents give the same VIN number, then just replace the missing VIN plate suitably stamped & dated. Do not tell DVLA there is no frame number, or Old Bill maycome to see you. I think if you want an age related plate, the NOC Dating Officer will want the photos, not DVLA.

You should still be able to read the number on the headstock under where the vin plate was. Any problems, Dave Catton is very helpful in these matters.

mine cane without any vin plate, I did however have a logbook so with this evidence Norvil stamped up a vin plate for me, I don;t recall any number under it but could be wrong, so were the frame no and engine the same at production, mine appears to be, is there no club officer with details of this bikes production and numbers that could assist with the vin plate? kind regards

A 1970 will not have the frame number stamped directly onto the frame, it was only on the plate. To get the month/year you will have to get the records for the engine number which was also the frame plate number.

I bought a new old stock frame. There was a year, 69 in my case, stamped on the square plate that the side stand is bolted onto on these early frames. probably covered in dirt and grease but no month and nothing on the headstock.

No idea what Norton were thinking when they came up with a plate but no actual stamping directly on the frame. When I worked at Longbridge in production control anyone suggesting the same would have been shown the door, there was a VIN plate on all bodies and a huge copy of the VIN 26 digit number stamped directly onto the body, the paint in the area was a huge mess but it was under carpet or trim depending on model. To change the stamped VIN number you needed to cut out that part of the body and weld a new section in.

The MOT is usually done on the frame number as the frame as this is what the DVLA to give you a log book. I have done it many times and with all the correct paper work the DVLA are good at sending you the log book etc. You will need to send them a dating letter, the MOT, insurance form, and I also sent them pictures of the bike. You will also have to send proof of identity as well as a utility bill. These two you can send copies as I did and the other ones they will require the originals. The DVLA are not that bad in getting it all done, it is just sending it all to the correct department.

The NOVA paperwork/registration should give a VIN number.If this is the same as the engine number, no problem. Just buy a new VIN plate, stamp that number on, pick a date a good few monthsbefore estimated date of manufacture in 1970.

I replaced a frame on a Mk2a back in 1991, had to buy a new VIN plate from Russell Motors too. Hacked up the old one getting the hammer drive screws out. Also stamped up a pal's blank VIN last year.

I have a 1970 Roadster and can confirm that the Frame no is only shown on the plate and not on the frame.

I still have my original VIN plate and in fact it has no month or year stamped on it at all - just the frame number.

Not sure why this should be - I assume the factory did all kinds of things at the time - but it is totally original not to have these items stamped.

My plate is like this one on the AN site:

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-details/15632/certification-label

Hope this helps

Previously john_marshall wrote:

The NOVA paperwork/registration should give a VIN number.If this is the same as the engine number, no problem. Just buy a new VIN plate, stamp that number on, pick a date a good few monthsbefore estimated date of manufacture in 1970.

I replaced a frame on a Mk2a back in 1991, had to buy a new VIN plate from Russell Motors too. Hacked up the old one getting the hammer drive screws out. Also stamped up a pal's blank VIN last year.

The easy way to remove the original plate is grind off the rivet head then punch the remaining part inward. They drop out the bottom. New plates and rivets are readily available. Note the correct year format however.

Interesting, my 76 Mk3, manufactured June 75 had its vin plate removed when the frame was nylon coated in 1989, I never got it back but the number can just about be seen under the coating.

I wonder when they started doing that?

My numbers were matching when I bought the bike in 1988 and so they are matching now. I got the factory record from Andover for 20 quid and this with help from Dave Catton (Thanks Dave) got me historic vehicle status this year.

I don't think there is a second frame number on Commando's like there is on the featherbeds, but not a lot of people know that!

You are fortunate. My NOVA cert quoted the 'VIN' per the certification plate, same as the engine number. The mot was based on the frame number. Even though I had a copy of the factory record from Andover, showing the two numbers belong to the same bike, the DVLA rejected my application. Fortunately a very helpful lady in the HMRC Car Group was very understanding and amended the NOVA record to reflect the frame number. V5C and age related number received a week later.

Yes, if the factory records show the first customer was the UK then the DVLA assume its never left the country and you are not obliged to inform them of their mistake

regarding last posting, does the club have the factory records and if so how do I get access to them? I am trying to get some of the history of my early 1969 model. thanks and kind regards

The Club will require evidence before providing a dating certificate. The evidence would normally include, most importantly, the frame number. Andover Norton hold most Commando factory records and can provide copies for a reasonable fee. This includes the date of manufacture and the first customer. However the engine number does not provide evidence that the bike is as stated because many have had engine transplants in the last 45 years. If Andover Norton are satisfied that this is the original bike matching the engine number then they may provide the factory record, you would have to ask them, this would solve your problem. If you purchase a vin plate and stamp it up with the engine number then it is at least possible that there is another Commando out there with the same number. The unattractive "Q" plate is there in extremis but trying to get the original documents is certainly worth pursuing.

Tim Harrison