Hi, I have a A65 1963 which was exported when new and brought back in 1987, How do I go about finding out the bikes history, Jim
You can find out the day it was made, the day it was despatched from the factory and where to, but that's about all. What is it that you want to know?
Hi, I would like to know which country it went to
To check the BSA dispatch books to see where your bike was sent, we would need to know the engine & frame number.
Hi , Frame number A50 4205 Engine number A653126
It still has its original engine.
It was dispatched form the BSA factory on 20/05/1963 to Westcliff on Sea, it is a Blue A65 Star
Thanks for that, so maybe it never left UK and just fell off DVLA records because my V5 says year 1963 but first registered May 1987. The bike is now all black but I have photos of it with red and chrome tank and red side panels
The green log books were phased out in 1983 and owners were required to apply for the new V5. Many didn't if the vehicle was off the road as there was no SORN requirement. My guess is that the owner went to put it back on the road and had to get a new log book. Did it keep its registration?
The whole system was a lot more lax and often later registrations were issued.
If its 63 it may have no suffix, an A or a B. If its got a later plate the DVLA will change this for a correct period one for free since it is now an offense to have a later plate so its their mistake. I've been through this with a Land Rover, very easy to do.
Not sure if it's original plate, but nothing on V5 saying (not transferable) there is no suffix letter on reg.
That looks like the original plate. Try googling the areas for plates at that time, if its a Southend plate then its original.
done a quick check and it is a Southend reg number,but still a bit head scratching, my bike left factory in May 1963 so I would have thought it would have a suffix A but mine only has 3 numbers and 3 letters which looks better anyway
Hi,
I think the letter suffix after a number maybe started with C for 1965.
Dave.
Until C only some areas used suffices. I had a '63 car and it had no suffix. They weren't introduced nationally all at once, there was some local discretion. This is the days of local vehicle registration offices and it's quite possible that they tried to be helpful in keeping motorcycles to 3 letters 3 numbers to fit on the plate. Remember the suffix was brought in because some areas were running out of registrations, but others had plenty and were in no rush to change.
From memory "B" was almost universal in 1964, while the "A" was more unusual.
Thanks guys that clears a few things up,
If it's 3 numbers followed by AJN then this series (63 to 400) was issued for motorcycles only by Southend between July 1962 and August 1963.
Its 3 numbers followed by BHJ
The series "3 numbers BHJ" were issued by Southend for motorcycles only from Aug 63 to Apr 64 ... numbers ranged from 65 to 325 (approx) according to the list I have.
my number falls into the range you stated
thanks everyone I am no happy to know my bike has it's original number plate. Next I would like to know what engine work it has had. It has a SRM sump plate fitted but I wonder what else has been done but that's another story,