Re: Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

Motorcycling in France

Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

CharlesMeechan 17/06/2007, 10:24
I'm in France with a Laverda Jota 120 languishing in a garage in the UK on a Sorn. 1982 model I believe with 90bhp when new.

I've been reading the useful threads here particularly on registering a classic bike - but none are as, ahem, long in the tooth as '82.

Also Laverda as a brand ceases to exist. The original Laverda family business (my manufacturers) gave up the ghost in 1985. The brand was resurrected in '93 by millionaire Francesco Tognon. Bust again after 5 years. Name bought by Aprilia and finally Piaggio but now defunct.

So in short I've no-one to write to to gain the all-important attestation d'identite. Anyone have an idea what I can do?

One thought was that the original importers of Laverda bikes to the UK still exists (Slater Brothers in Bromyard where I bought the Jota in '99). Before I talk to them, would they work as an 'authority' for French purposes? And more importantly what would they need to supply by way of an attestation d'identite - what information does it actually contain??

Thanks for shedding any light or suggestions.

Re: Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

terry1956 17/06/2007, 15:02

Hi, Two things to look at before you give up. 1st you can obtain a cart grise for a classic bike which just needs a picture of the bike complete, ie ready for the road, I am not show of the cut in date but was told that my 1969 T120 R was ok, The glass of cart grise is for historic bikes etc and allows use on the road without an MOT but a number plate and insurrance will be needed, Go to your local drire office and have a talk to them, take the details of the bike you have ie make, date of build and a good pic of the bike, they will help you out for sure.

In answer to your question re will the importer be able to supply the build cert, in short NO, it as to be the builder and the cert needs to be from a french based department, ie a cert from truimph UK would not be anygood, but one from truimph france would be, This is why they have the historic section which will cover one off,s etc,

Hope this helps, michael

Re: Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

Bob T 17/06/2007, 15:37
Terry, No motorcycles here need an MOT (CT), not just old ones.

Bob T 24
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/

Re: Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

terry1956 17/06/2007, 15:51
Hi, Well that helps me out with my trophy, I was looking at taking it back to the UK, anyway as I stated there is a way of getting older bikes and cars on french roads. michael

Re: Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

Sunday Driver 17/06/2007, 21:28

Charles (and Terry)

The DRIRE Isle de France is the central French authority responsible for all type approval issues for vehicles. They currently list the contact for Laverda type approval certificates as Moto Laverda srl, via Gallelei, I-30033 Noale, Italy. This is the same contact address as Aprilia.

If I were you, in the first instance I'd contact Laverda/Aprilia (tel: 0039 04 15 82 91 11). They may still have the ex-Laverda homolgation documentation and if that's the case, then they will be able to issue an attestation d'identité evidencing French type approval. The bikes were commercially on sale in France - I've a French mate near Lorient who has two Jotas.

If this avenue fails, then the only solution is to obtain a carte grise de collection. This is currently available to bikes over 25 years old (though the age limit is set to be raised to 30 years as from next January). If your bike complies with the age qualification, you can obtain an attestation from the Fédération Francaise des Véhicules d'Époche. The FFVE attestation exempts you from French national type approval and will be sufficient to register the bike at your prefecture (they want more than just a photgraph of the bike!). As BobT says, motorbikes do not require CTs.

It's always preferable to try and get a carte grise normale, but if that's not possible, then a carte grise de collection is second best.

Waddya mean it's only Saturday......

Re: Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

CharlesMeechan 18/06/2007, 12:03
Thanks Terry/Sunday driver,

You are fount(s) of plenty of knowledge! I'll try the Aprilia route first. If not my bike is celebrating its 25th birthday sometime this year, so if necessary it should scrape in on the carte grise del collection before they raise the bar to 30 years.

Off to garage in UK to (not) get the Jota 120 running and have the poor AA cart it to my mechanic miles away.

Then sometime this month a run back to my place in Saint Gervais (near Megeve/Chamonix). You guys ever make it to the Haute Savoie? Incredibly popular runs with all nationalities of bikers.

Will let you know how the registration goes. Thanks.

Re: Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

CharlesMeechan 28/04/2008, 11:28
Hi all on this (old) post. Well I missed last summer but decided the bike should get some TLC before living over here. I've currently got a mechanic in the UK putting some interesting bits on it - electronic ignition, softer tyres, uprated suspension, Goodridge hoses and more.

Just wondered, Sunday Driver, if you know if that damned 30 year rule came in on Jan 2008? The Jota being 26 years old it could hamper me getting a carte grise de collection. Which would leave me only crossing fingers and hoping route one works.

Aiming to bring the bike down last week of May – sans autoroutes!

Re: Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

CharlesMeechan 28/04/2008, 13:19
Sorry one other thing i just found on the web:

"If you stay in France for more than 6 months, you will have to change the registration of your car. Only residents can apply for the registration of their vehicle. You have to apply at the "Préfecture" of the place of your residence. To obtain a list of the required documents, please contact your ’Préfecture’. An export certificate from the DVLA (01792 77 21 51) will be required if the vehicle is currently registered in the UK."

The 'only residents' bit!! Is this true since I'm not a resident in France? Would they not allow a change of registration, even if I plan to use the bike when on holiday? Thanks for any feedback.

Re: Registering a Laverda sans manufacturer

Bob T 28/04/2008, 15:43
If you have an address here then you can register a vehicle.
There may be a problem if you drive that French registered vehicle in the UK, as a UK resident, that was the case a number of years ago, but it may have changed.

Bob T 24
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/

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