Registering a Commando.

An existing frame with a V5, V5C or even the old buff or green log books is without doubt the easiest way. The official line on 'Historic' is:

• the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago
• no ‘substantial changes’ have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, for example replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works.

There is a Commando frame on evilbay at the moment is this - any good?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Norton-Commando-Fastback-Project-Frame-Tank-Seat-Look-Spares-Refurb-Project/154083033354?hash=item23e010810a:g:JRAAAOSwRrVfQOyR

If you contact the sellers and it has a V5c, then you are home and dry. As long as you retain the same number of cylinders in the engine they won't be bothered too much with a new engine number or all the other bits.

Otherwise, the official info is here:

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/old-vehicles

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/reconstructed-classic-vehicles

My understanding is that they are really interested in the major components - frame, engine, forks, swinging arm,  wheels, gearbox etc, not the minor stuff like wiring looms, handlebars and rear shocks, but I could well be wrong. Not too sure who is the club chap/chapess who inspects it and writes you the required report, but there is a link to the process in the 'Records' section above the banner at the top of this page.

To me, the grey area is  the 'new' parts - in their wording, use of replica parts means reconstructed classic and adds extra hoops to go through. I suppose that if you used genuine 'Andover Norton' supplied parts then you could argue that they aren't replicas? 

Good luck,

George.

Hi Paul

Without a V5 you will only be able to register the bike once it is complete. The DVLA may well require an inspection. You should be able to get it on the road one way or another but worst case scenario would be with a Q plate. If you buy a frame make sure it has a vin number in which case you should be able to get an age related plate once the bike is roadworthy. 

What you wish to achieve, perhaps the best solution is to buy a complete Commando and comvert that. You could then sell on the parts you have no need for to get some money back in the pot?

At least if you start with a complete bike you will have all the odd bits that are sometimes hard to find. There will be some  who might not like the idea of "breaking" a good bike, but Commandos aren't particularly rare in the grand scheme of things.

Regards, George 

Better off buying a NOVA Commando, then use that as the basis. These days the likelihood of even obtaining a Q plate is minimal. Keep receipts of any new parts you buy, they can ask you to send them off. 

On that eBay listing if you look behind the bike for sale there is a second commando frame with a headstock plate. As long as the frame number on that plate was despatched to a UK dealer you can, with work, get a V5.

Are you using the Seeley frame?

Definitely needs a flame paint job & a Peel fairing lol.

E mail me Sussex Branch Sec

That looks like one I saw in Florida in 2012, same advert? One used to cut the numbered piece of frame off a bike with Log Book and weld it to the one you wanted, then apply for a change of engine number. I did this with a Range Rover a few years ago that was berift of documents. nobody checked. I phoned DVLA to ask if I could claim the Reg Number and vehicle on a V62, they said Yes! So I sent a declaration in, and got a Log Book by return!

the NOC want bike without V5 to be assembled before they will provide  back up to send off to DVLA . So complete old bike to start that can be on DVla system straight away saves worries later.