Topic: Importing CB750 to the UK

[78CB750F1]

I am moving from France to London in a few months and was wondering if anyone can provide info on importing and registering my bike in the UK.  It is a 1977 CB750 F1 (French spec) cafe racer with many modifications that would make it difficult to pass an inspection so I am hoping that the old bikes do not have to go through a MOT!

Thanks for any help.

[supersport_CB400F]

If you’re importing and registering the bike in the UK you will need a  MoT cert and you’ll also need to get a road tax disc or they’ll crush your bike if you ride it on public roads without one.  There's lots of other paper work also! and probably A tax or two 


http://www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/ImportingAndExportingAVehicle/fs/en

[78CB750F1]

Thanks for the link - that doesn't look promising.  I was hoping that vintage bikes were exempt from this sort of red tape.  I don't think my Kerker with competition baffle would get too far on the noise testing!

[andy750]

I imported my CB750K4 into the UK from USA and had to get the VIN # checked at the local DVLA Registration station - very easy really. Then they sent me the paperwork, got the license plate at a local auto shop and yes I had to get an MOT. Find a local mechanic (backstreet mechanic) and you should be ok - dont go to a dealer. i know a place in Oxford if you get stuck.

Good luck,
Andy

[mcpuffett]

hi pariscaferacer, there are ways and means   ,    mick.

[SteveD CB500F]

There are a few of us around the London area. Let us know where you will be based (and when).

[78CB750F1]

Thanks guys for the replies.  I will let you know when I am bringing the bike over and maybe you can point me in the right direction. 

[malcolmgb]

I would think it could be brought into the UK on the French plates for a period of time, under EEC rules. In the town where I live there are a lot of Polish workers and many of them seem to have cars still with their homeland plates on.

[bryanj]

You can ride on the French plates for one year as long as it is Registered, taxed and insured in france but allowing UK use.
You will need the French registration document, hopfully showing you as the owner for a long time and the original registration date of the bike----When you bring it in on the ferry GO TO THE UK CUSTOMS and declare you are bringing it in to stay, if you can with a valuation from a french dealer as low as you can safely get, and pay whatever "tax" they ask for ----- DO NOT LOOSE the receipt they give you as you will need it to get UK registration and they are a #$%*, plus time consumiong, to get later. The rest is relatively easy and I , for one, plus probaly many others will happily walk you through it.

[78CB750F1]

Thanks for the help - it sounds like it may be easiest to run it on French plates for a year and then register it in the UK after that time.  Looking forward to seeing some fellow SOHC4 owners on the road!

[andy750]

You wont even need to pay import tax on a vehicle thats been owned by you for more than 6 months  - only applies to new vehicles. You dont even have to declare at customs as you are not importing it as such. There is no difference in coming over from France (EC) for a 2 week driving holiday in the UK or a 1 year driving holiday in the UK. In fact this applies to most other countries (i..e USA, Australia etc etc).

cheers
Andy

[bryanj]

Ah, the only problem with not declaring it is when you go to the DVLA they want PROOF that customs know about it---damn silly red tape i know, but a mate got collared for a second dose of import duty cos the man he bought off had lost the original.
You can keep the receipt for years till you actually need it, Swansea just want to see that its been "officially" imported and any tax paid.
You can go to the DVLA web site and there is info on there about "imported" vehicles, Ignore any crap about MSVA dont need that test if its over 10 years old BUT DO need an MOT, if its thst noisy stuff some fiberglass in the down pipe and hold it in temporary with chicken wire BUT the rules changed last year and you no longer need to be "as quiet as standard" Or have the relevant standard stamp---just has to be "reasonable" IN THE TESTERS OPINION