Race Number on Road Bike - Legal in UK?
Discussion
Had a search on Google, but can't seem to find a definative answer on this, so wonder if anyone here can help.
I'm in the early stages of building a road legal 'tribute' of a 1990's superbike in a specific team livery that I used to have a picture cut out of a magazine up on my bedroom wall as a teenager. Obviously, the bike I am basing mine on was a race bike, and so had a large race number on the seat unit.
I'd like to get as close as possible to the orginal livery on my 'road going' version of this bike, but not sure if displaying a race number on the seat unit is legal in the UK or not? It won't interfere with the number plate and I've seen a few other bikes on various Facebook groups that look like they are road legal and have race numbers on the seat unit, so I assume this is legal, but wanted to know for sure before I commit to paint.
I'm in the early stages of building a road legal 'tribute' of a 1990's superbike in a specific team livery that I used to have a picture cut out of a magazine up on my bedroom wall as a teenager. Obviously, the bike I am basing mine on was a race bike, and so had a large race number on the seat unit.
I'd like to get as close as possible to the orginal livery on my 'road going' version of this bike, but not sure if displaying a race number on the seat unit is legal in the UK or not? It won't interfere with the number plate and I've seen a few other bikes on various Facebook groups that look like they are road legal and have race numbers on the seat unit, so I assume this is legal, but wanted to know for sure before I commit to paint.
As long as the numbers don't cover up any of the bikes lights or the number plate, I can't think of a reason why it would be illegal. You see plenty on cars.
I used to run a road legal Caterham in a Sprint championship and always drove it to events with the numbers on and that was perfectly road legal. MSA rules stated that the numbers needed to be covered or have an X through them but that was their rules not normal highway rules and I normally didn't bother.
I used to run a road legal Caterham in a Sprint championship and always drove it to events with the numbers on and that was perfectly road legal. MSA rules stated that the numbers needed to be covered or have an X through them but that was their rules not normal highway rules and I normally didn't bother.
When i used to drive a race car I had on the road, (road legal too), I was told I should put a strike mark though the numbers on the doors and bonnet etc, which I did at the start, but gave up with. I just used insulating tape initially, bur stopped bothering and never got stopped.
I have numbers on most of my motorbikes tbh, and don t bother, just leave them as they are. I figure that if I am stopped, the thing they re least likely to be concerned about is some race numbers, as I generally ride like a right t
t! Brrrraaaapppppp!
I have numbers on most of my motorbikes tbh, and don t bother, just leave them as they are. I figure that if I am stopped, the thing they re least likely to be concerned about is some race numbers, as I generally ride like a right t
t! Brrrraaaapppppp! 
I have heard lots of people say it's illegal over the years.
I had a superbike with a 'racing style' number on it for some years, never got stopped, it never got mentioned at MOT.
I was told it's in the C&U regs somewhere?
Along with lots of other stuff that's widely ignored apparently.
I had a superbike with a 'racing style' number on it for some years, never got stopped, it never got mentioned at MOT.
I was told it's in the C&U regs somewhere?
Along with lots of other stuff that's widely ignored apparently.
OutInTheShed said:
I have heard lots of people say it's illegal over the years.
I had a superbike with a 'racing style' number on it for some years, never got stopped, it never got mentioned at MOT.
I was told it's in the C&U regs somewhere?
Along with lots of other stuff that's widely ignored apparently.
It's not. There have been a number of standard production bikes and cars with "race numbers".I had a superbike with a 'racing style' number on it for some years, never got stopped, it never got mentioned at MOT.
I was told it's in the C&U regs somewhere?
Along with lots of other stuff that's widely ignored apparently.
Apparently MSA rules say that drivers can be disciplined if a car is driven on the road while displaying competition numbers, but you don't have to worry about the police.
Driving in bare feet, though, that's definitely illegal.
Wacky Racer said:
Treat yourself!
Barry Sheene's 1977 World-Championship-Winning Suzuki RG500 at Bonham's at Stafford show
Or if that's a little out of budget...
The ex-works, Barry Sheene, John Newbold, 1974 Shellsport Championship-winning, 1974 Suzuki TR500 (XR05) Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle at the same sale
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