Registering a C90 in France - Help!

[Goldwingbampa]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum, so apologies if this is a previously asked question...

I owned a couple of C70s in the 1970's, but I bought a new (pre-registered) Honda C90 in 1998 (dealer registered in 1997) from Victor Devine, Honda dealers in Glasgow, where I lived. I've always had a few bikes, so my C90 has only done 5800 miles in 14 years! But it's quicker than a Ferrari through town and I have always loved it. It's in mint condition.

Last month I emigrated to the middle of France and here the problems began...

Before I left the UK I asked Honda GB for a Certificate of Conformity for the bike and they told me that its age predated CofC requirements (2002). In exchange for £35 they gave me a letter certifying its age etc. But the French authorities won't let me register it in France without a CofC. They advised contacting Honda France at Marne la Valee which I did, enclosing everything except my inside leg measurement! Today I received a letter from them stating that the C90 model that I have was never sold or imported in France. I find that hard to believe since 36,000,000 of us can't be wrong! They won't issue anything that will allow me to register the bike here

Can anyone on the forum help, please? I'm near my wits' end. I've had to jump a few hurdles and pass through a few hoops in relation to my BMW R1100S (2000) and my Triumph Thunderbird (2011), but I've made good progress with them. I can't believe that the C90 would be the difficult one...

Any help appreciated!

Peter

[Newtsalad]

Might get one here! Not cheap though!

http://www.eurococ.eu/en/

[Newtsalad]

Good info here.
http://www.frenchpropertylinks.com/esse ... rance.html

http://vehicleimportadvice.com/france/c ... ormity.asp

[Goldwingbampa]

Thank you newtsalad. As you say, not cheap, but probably worth it to keep my pride & joy! I'll have a think about it, I have it insured here in France on its UK registration number, but the Insurers will begin to chase me in the next month or two. My C90 came here in the furniture van and I don't think I could bear to return it to the UK for sale!!

[Newtsalad]

I put it to Honda UK, got a very helpful chap, but he explained that it's a common problem in France.

They can't issue a COC as the bike pre-dates them, and one simply isn't available.

He said they should register it on the basis of it's age, but you are obviously dealing with someone pernickity!

He said keep at them. Although you may need an age related cert, which they can provide for£30 +vat, or I get them through the Honda owners club as a member (£20 and you get a regular copy of The Wing) for free, but you have to jump through a few hoops, photos, etc etc.

He said France is a nightmare, and lots of folks simply give up.

[Goldwingbampa]

Thanks again Newtsalad, your source is correct and Honda GB issued me an age-related certificate - and charged me £35, saying it had to come from Japan. The Prefecture in Limoges refused to accept it. I sent a copy of the cert to Honda France who have unhelpfully written to me today to say that since the model was never imported into France they can't help. They did say that if the bike is in the UK then I should leave it there! 'Chocolate Fireguards' spring to mind...

But I won't give in! I'm going to try DREAL (whoever they are!) in Limoges and if that doesn't work I'll try the link you sent me above.

"Illegitimi non carborundum"

Peter

[Norm]

Searching google.fr, there are several for sale, so presumably they've been officially imported at some time.

Might be worth contacting these guys:
http://www.super-cub.net/

[Newtsalad]

Good luck Peter, If you do mange to crack it, please pay us a visit and tell us how, for the benefit of others to follow!

Cheers!

[Fuzz]

I sold a 12v Cub to a chap in St Malo quite a few years back now.
I delivered it , ( Rode it over there ) with the V5 etc , the last thing I heard was the same story as yours .
He never did keep in touch , so I am unsure as to what happened ......

[Boo]

The Prefecture in Limoges refused to accept it.

Might it be worth trying in a different area.. The regional DVLA offices around Britain have different levels of helpfulness, and I can't imagine the French being any different.. maybe the Limoges office has some particular anti-English sentiment, with half of Britain living there!
A French classic bike club could be worth meeting up with.. People who know how to play the bureaucracy!