Number plate and lettering

[jonathanjoy]

Hi
I’m about to get my son to fabricate a number plate for my 29 flyer. He’s attending a BTEC engineering course, and has finished his project so has some spare time during workshop.
I was thinking of the the, “number plate” drawing , technicalities/ chapter 10 / paintwork, I like the slim design. The number plate is for the original smaller lettering , 1 3/4″ high, is this legal. I have seen modern bikes on the road with smaller lettering. Does any one know the current legislation and can suggest a suitable style plate ?
ps I’m not fitting a rear light, just reflector

Many Thanks

[BRIAN MARSHALL]

Hi, In 1930 I believe, the size of the letters and numbers was increased to a full 3″ for the rear number plate, and the law was made to be ‘retrospective’, so earlier machines were supposed to conform to the new regulations by having the bigger letters and numbers on their plates. Quite how many obliged is another matter, in those pre-MOT Test days, and many original 1930s plates seem to have 2.5″ letters and numbers. All a bit confusing….
Brian

[Martin Heckscher]

I may well be wrong, but I always thought that before the Road Traffic Act of 1930, characters on the rear plate were supposed to be the same height as the front: 1 3/4″. The 1930 act decreed 2 1/2″ characters for motorcycle rear number plates whilst 1 3/4″ we’re still applicable for fronts. Cars were required to display 3″ characters. As I say I may well be mistaken.
I usually apply 1 3/4″ characters to rear plates of vintage machines because the proportions suit them better & so far I’ve got away with it!
Best wishes to all
Martin

[James]

I bought a set from Jepson ,very nicely made
https://jepsonclassicplates.com/motorcycle_number_plates.html

[jonathanjoy]

Thats interesting ,James, they’re supplying 1 3/4″digits I wonder if that s legal for road use. I’ll contact them. Many Thanks

[Author]

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