Hi all. Ihave just registered as I would like to find the registered keeper of a 1950 BSA 31 350.
Why?
Well, my late father purchaced this machine in 1951. during his life he often mentiond 'EDDY' registration EDY 96.
I was recently going through old papers and came upon original purchace documents from when he purchaced the machine.
This got me thinking and i did a check roat tax and MOT and was stunned when it came back with green ticks. My God someone still has it.
But importantly I have many photographs of the machine taken during that time.
There is even a court summons in 1952 for a road traffic offence he committed while riding the bike.
I would love to be the owner of the machine now, but that wont happen, however, the next best thing is to reunite these documents and photos with the machine.
I have sent an email directly to BSA owners club, and I will try writting to DVLA using form V888 but thats a long shot.
So does anyone know where EDY96 is, or can someone put the keeper in touch with me.
Thank you, Steve
The best hope, clearly, is that the owner is an active BSAOC member or at least is active on the Forum. The DVLA database is interesting since it indicates that the bike is currently taxed although the last MOT was over 10 years ago. Most bikes of this age would normally now be in the Historic Vehicle class that should make them both road tax and MOT exempt - I may be wrong but the DVLA database seems to be indicating the owner is still paying road tax?
It would be nice if you could get DVLA to tell you the current RO but that is very unlikely. The best I ever got from them was to tell me who the original owner was (non BSA bike and 35 years old) that I argued I needed for purely historical record reasons.
I am sure the current RO would appreciate the information you are willing to offer them - which owner wouldn't? Hopefully, fingers crossed, you strike lucky with this appeal :)
Hi,
Even historic vehicles are classed as taxed unless under a SORN and no MOT is required so this BSA could well be in use.
Good luck with the search.
Dave.
Thankully for us in most aspects fo our life we have the GDPR and under these no-one should be releasing the RO's details with their prior written consent.
I believe that the DVLA may pass a message on to the current keeper. It's a great story and would be nice if those documents could be reunited with the bike.
I think most owners would love to have that stuff
Hi guys, I have written this to DVLA today, hope it works.
Vehicle Record Enquiries
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AJ
22/06/2023
Dear Sir or Madam.
I am trying to trace the registered keeper of EDY 96, a BSA motorcycle colour Green first registered in 1950.
After looking at form V888 to request said information I realise there is no justifiable reason for you supply me with the keeper details, and to be honest, I don't even need those details, I would simply like the registered keeper to be able to contact me if they so wish.
Please do not just bin this, can I ask you look at the enclosed letter that I have written for the registered keeper.
Once you read the letter, I trust you will understand my reason to want to be in contact with the registered keeper.
I do appreciate that contacting the registered keeper on behalf of a third party may not in the DVLA job description, but it is also not against GDPR.
So please can I beg you, read the letter, add a name and address to the enclosed stamped envelope and forward it on. If there is no protocol for doing this at work maybe you would be able to do this on your way home from work?
I would be indebted to you if you could help.
Thank you so much.
And the letter enclosed is
22/06/2023
To the registered keeper of BSA Motor Cycle EDY 96 colour Green.
I have written to DVLA to try have this letter forwarded onto you as I possess some documentation and photographs relating to EDY96 dating back to 1951.
My late Father Frank Matthews purchased 'EDDY' as he always referred to it, in 1951. I have the original sale and finance documents. My father was serving in the military in 1951 and purchased Eddy so he could travel to and from Catterick Garrison and home in South London. Riding Eddy was once a cause of him getting put on a charge for being absent without leave, an interesting story that I can relate if you are able to contact me.
I also have a court summons documents for a road traffic offence my father committed while riding Eddy in 1952.
But most importantly, there are many photographs taken of my father sitting on Eddy outside his parents' home address, and when was out on riding trips and at Catterick Garrison.
I really think this documentary provenance should be with a classic vehicle as this and in the possession of the current registered keeper/owner. I do not want any financial reward for this, my father would just have liked this to happen.
DVLA will be reluctant to furnish me with the registered keeper details, but I am hoping someone at DVLA will have the heart to act on this request and be able to forward this letter on to you, and then you can choose to contact me or not directly. This would not be against any GDPR as they have not giving out any of your information. This will be and usual requirement for DVLA, but as I have included a pre-stamped envelope, and it will only require your name and address to be added, I am hoping some kind person will then just pop it in a post box somewhere.
I am sure like me; you would be truly grateful if a DVLA employee was sympathetic to this cause and was able to help us and pop this letter in the post to you.
Well, I hope you are able to contact me, so that I can forward you this valuable piece of history.
:) :) :) :)
Do you know a nice freindly policeman or insurance agent. They have (or had) access to ownership records for obvious reasons. At least thats what I am told !!!!!!!!!!!!!Wouldn't know personally of course.
Mike 8) 8) 8) 8)
Naughty, Naughty!
You can try writing to Old Bike Mart, they're as good as anybody at reuniting previous owners with current owners. If you're not already a subscriber to the magazine you can try Customer Services Tel. 01507 529529 or email: queries@mortons.co.uk They might need you to be a subscriber (not expensive) but it's worth a try. Be good to know how you get on. Good luck!