Race Number on Road Bike - Legal in UK?
Race Number on Road Bike - Legal in UK?
Author
Discussion

blade runner

Original Poster:

1,085 posts

236 months

Wednesday
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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.

Neal H

472 posts

218 months

Wednesday
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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.

bnseven

164 posts

162 months

Wednesday
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I have a Ducati Superlight and it came from the factory with a tail unit number board and a number on it, they all did I think...

Weso

476 posts

228 months

Wednesday
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My old TL had numbers on the tail. Never had a problem.

blade runner

Original Poster:

1,085 posts

236 months

Wednesday
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Thanks for all the feedback guys. Looks like I will be ok to go forwards with this then.

poo at Paul's

14,556 posts

199 months

Yesterday (11:31)
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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 tt! Brrrraaaapppppp!

Soloman Dodd

727 posts

66 months

Yesterday (12:24)
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It might be legal, but it is peak cringe.

dibblecorse

7,360 posts

216 months

Yesterday (15:33)
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Soloman Dodd said:
It might be legal, but it is peak cringe.
Not of you are building a proper replica, even the new Ducati V4's often wear a 1, is that cringe ?