Getting Collector status

[MaximX]

I bought my bike in 1988.  I never realized I'd keep it this long.  I had thought of applying for collector status, but after reading the application form realized it was not quite up to what they are asking for. 
One of you suggested my bike is a good candidate for it so I think I may go for it.  I understand that they will want it painted as original.  I would need the front fender, side covers and rear fender painted to match the tank as close as possible.  The rear fender is the correct colour, but has been marked up a bit.  I'd do prep work as best I can then get someone to do the paint.
 I am not looking for perfection and want to keep the price down as I am currently out of work.  Any suggestions as to where to take the parts?  Thanks.

[supdve]

I'd be happy to take care of that for you if you would like. I' m Dave  by the way.

[Dennis]

It may not be necessary in getting collector's plates, but often when people are trying to register unregistered bikes, or bikes with lost papers, ICBC requires a notarized Statutory Declaration. 

I have a standing offer for all club members that if they need such documentation notarized, I'll do it for free.  Its a 10 minute job so I'm not as generous as it sounds, but hey, I do what I can for my brethren.  Saves you $40 anyways.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[fj1200]

My 2 cents. Getting collector plates is fairly easy. I had several done last year and a couple due this year. The important part is four clear pictures.  Some of the bikes had some flaws in the paint but nothing that jumped out and grabbed them. The seat cover has to be good, and the paint could come from wal-mart if that is what you can afford. The lights and stuff have to be there. As far as original the seems to be quite a lot of leeway. My fj's both have aftermarket exhaust and corbin seats and one of them has an aftermarket fairing and they went through without a hitch.
The only time they sent anything back was when the bike didn't fill up the whole pic. frame. Also they have to be "real" pictures. So you can take digitl and have costco print them. I think that may be even cheaper than printing your own.  Hope this helps a little.





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[Dennis]

Hans knows someone at ICBC, and  shared some insider information with us last year.  If I recall correctly, because ICBC was flooded with requests for collector status, they were raising the bar.  There are lots of 25 year old motorcycles that are just fine and ridden daily for pleasure, but owners want cheap insurance.  ICBC wanted to separate the "collectors" from those who were just looking for cheap insurance.

The criteria for motorcycles is actually different than cars.  Motorcycles are permitted to have "period correct" modifications.  That is pretty vague.  Anecdotally, I am aware of some bikes getting collectors status with lots of modifications (anyone recall Brock Gable's Kawi? different paint, seat, exhaust and fairing).  I think Hans' little Yamaha got rejected because the paint was not good enough, and it looked like a daily rider.

I have never tried getting collectors plates because my bikes have been so heavily modified.  I would love to try the "period correct" argument with the Ebay Bobber.  The hardtail was actually made in the same year as the bike, and specifically designed for it. That has got to be "period correct,"  but I am pretty sure ICBC would say "yeah, right."

My '79 Ironhead Sportster is actually registered as a 1985 Ubilt.  It looks pretty much the same now as it did in 1985 when I built it.  Its a rigid frame bobber.  I wonder what ICBC would have to say about that.

[fj1200]

Why not give it a try. Cost you 40 cents or so, and they may let you do it.

[MaximX]

Thanks for the information guys.  I was thinking I'd have to get the side tank badges that I took off (originals are $125. on ebay now!) or a close substitution.  Perhaps that is not necessary.  I have found some for about $15. that should pass the photo test.  I am looking at the application sheet I have and it says there is a $50. application charge that is non refundable that is partly why I did not try for it last year.  I was also expecting to ride it to work much more than I did as well.  As it is I did not ride it a lot last year.  So those of you who did yours recently did you not have to pay $50. to apply?  Thank you for the offer Dave, I will probably get in contact with you sometime once I have the parts off.

Mike

[bofud]

Good thread.
 When I got the collector plate for my Honda Turbo- i took digital photos ,put all four on one page and printed them on my computer and they accepted them , never even cut um apart -one page all 4 pics.
 Bofud

[fj1200]

I don't remember having to pay anything for mine. I got six done last year and put them all on a multi plate. But they all have to be approved for collector status first. And I know that I didn't pay out 300.00.
As far as riding to work, that is strictly not allowed. If you do then ??

[Rusty Bucket]

One thing I would interject at this point - ICBC is pretty firm about the badges: you are going to want those to be there.  ICBC has to make the judgement your bike is 'nice' enough for the program based on 4 photos.  Have you EVER known a bike not to look better in the pics than in real life?(flash photos excepted)  So if flaws don't show clearly in photos, they are of no consequence.  Dents, obvious rust and road rash showing alternate colours, those are the kinds of things that you can make out in photos.  And missing badges. It's an easy judgement to make, even if you aren't the motorcycle expert, if you can see missing insignias and badgework.  The badges don't have to be mint originals, but they should be there.  Hans' bike, though it definitely SHOULD have been accepted for the program, got rejected because there is no 'survivor' classification, and 'niceness' trumps originality for those making the judgement in North Vancouver.  Hans' bike had visible dents in the tank.  Another one I know of got rejected for dents in the exhaust - even though thiose dents were factory clearances for the stand. (they eventually allowed that one, but even more pics had to be submitted and so on...)
  If there is an application charge, then that is brand new this year - I added another bike to my multiplate last year, and have never paid any fees of any sort for the collector program.

[fast1]

  Your badges were more like medallions-- betcha trim line could make them if you have a good picture and dimensions. Can't tell in a picture!

[stevecrout]

So I guess my 2 cents worth would be to suggest as the others have ad that's to get the bits and colour right because they do hjave a good selection of original bike info there to compare to yours. My 71 Commando was nixed because the tip of the decal for the letter "N" was nicked (by my own hand while moving it after putting the bars back on and not checking for clearance )  and they spotted it right away.
The last few bikes I put into the program were more heavily scrutinized and the colour was queried on the Dominator 99 but my '45 was passed with no effort even though the front wheel was anything but stock.
Clean and stock seems to be the recipe for success.  Good Luck!

[MaximX]

Well I finally found a near complete tank on Kijiji in Toronto.  I got them to send my the badges, petcock and fuel sensor for a reasonable price.  That tank had some water in it haha.  Anyway all should be good now for a photo shoot.  I just have to figure out how to get air in my new front tire...any tips on how to get the new bead to hold air and attach itself to the rim??

[stevecrout]

Hi -  as for the collector status -  good luck!  The purchase of the badges etc is a good investment anyways but particularly wise when going for the collector plates.

As for getting the tire to bead up on the rim, if it is a particulary skinny little thing you will usually need a strap that travels the circumference of the tire with a ratchet. Do it up a little and the bead should seat. If the tire is a little fatter and you have lots of air pressure working you may be able to gently bounce it until it catches. Soap the rim for a good seating.

If all else fails you can usually take it to your friendly bike shop in town and they''ll manage it for you.

If this doesn't work then get 26 of your friends together and ask them to hold the rim and squeeze the tire at the same time but it'll probably cost you a 24 pack so the bike shop is probably cheaper.

[kaziff]

i notice the mention of riding your newly registered "collector" bike to and from work, i believe if you check, one of the stipulations of the collector plate, can not be used to and from work.Kaziff