Technical Info

Some members may well own a motorcycle not registered on the DVLA computer yet would know the registration number. It is possible to recover the original registration number under the V765 scheme, details of which can be found on the FBHVC website here. Briefly you would need some piece of paperwork to support an application to retain the original number for your machine, this documentation is described on the FBHVC webpage. Something like the old Log Book or an old tax disc would be ideal. Another option is a certified copy of the original record from the original registering authority. To find the name of the original registration authority and where it's archive now is, needs a bit of detective work. Note that not all registration authority records have been saved in an archive, so you may be unlucky.

Firstly you need to determine the authority that originally issued your registration number, that you can find here in this PDF file. There's a lot of information in the file and it has been put together in country (England, Wales, Scotland etc) order. Having found the name of the original registration authority, go to the kitheadtrust location list and you will find, hopefully, the location of the archive - then you need to contact the archive to obtain a copy of the original record, quoting registration, frame and engine numbers. I believe that some archives charge for the service, so be prepared for that. Having obtained your evidence you would then need to contact the VMCC, who are authorised by the DVLA to operate the V765 scheme - the club would then arrange for an inspection of the machine. Good luck and if you need help then contact the webmaster.

With no documentary evidence, even if you know the original reg number, you will have to apply for an age related number - a simpler procedure. Again, it's the VMCC who can provide a 'statement of search' to date the machine, details of which can be found on the main VMCC website.

The following websites can provide online motorcycle manuals: -

Moped Riders Association
Ideal for those moped manuals, I downloaded my Honda P50 manual from this site.

Dans motorcycle manuals
Here's a load of links to sites that have manuals online and ready for downloading, but don't get too excited as I've found many broken links and sods law says that the link won't work for the manual that you're looking for. However, all is not lost as there is a thing called 'The Wayback Machine' towards the top of the page and I've been able to find several manuals that I wanted by using that facility - give it a go. It really is easy to use, although a bit slow in recovering the page that you want from the archive - so, if you find that a link is broken, highlight the URL(that's the bit in the search window box that starts HTTP), go to edit and click 'copy'. Then go to the wayback machine and set the mouse pointer in the search box. Then go to 'edit' and click 'paste' and the URL will appear in the box. Then click the 'take me back' button and wait with fingers crossed, it usually works.

Carl Salter motorcycle manuals
Easy to use site for various manuals - many modern ones, but worth looking through the list.