Moving abroad with your Laverda

Alex M

Alex M

Junior member
Location
Germany
Hi everyone,

I’m in the process of leaving Germany and would like to take my Laverda 1000 3CL along for the ride. The plan is to stay within the EU — but, as luck would have it, every single country seems to demand a CoC (Certificate of Conformity) for initial registration.

That’s where the fun stops.

The CoC was introduced in 1996, long after Laverda Breganze had bowed out. I even tried my luck with Aprilia (since they apparently own the Laverda name), but it seems they only purchased the letters, not the legacy.

So — has anyone here wrestled with this problem before? What kind of document did the authorities accept as a stand-in for the mythical CoC?

Any advice, paperwork examples, or survival stories from fellow Laverda pilgrims would be extremely helpful.

Cheers,

Alex
 
In UK you are required to provide CoC “ where applicable” - obviously can’t provide one if vehicle predates them. I provide as much relevant information as I have from owners clubs, pictures of complete bike, MOT (TUV) and an enclosing letter . France was an absolute twat to export a bike to ( when we were in the EU!) we sold a Kawasaki Trials bike and they were making it up as they went along. I find if you include everything that might make the office wallahs job easy, neat, in right order etc they are most obliging . I have registered 5 unknown origin, barn find, pre Nova bikes in the last two years , all using charm!
 
Alex M said:
Hi everyone,

I’m in the process of leaving Germany and would like to take my Laverda 1000 3CL along for the ride. The plan is to stay within the EU — but, as luck would have it, every single country seems to demand a CoC (Certificate of Conformity) for initial registration.

That’s where the fun stops.

The CoC was introduced in 1996, long after Laverda Breganze had bowed out. I even tried my luck with Aprilia (since they apparently own the Laverda name), but it seems they only purchased the letters, not the legacy.

So — has anyone here wrestled with this problem before? What kind of document did the authorities accept as a stand-in for the mythical CoC?

Any advice, paperwork examples, or survival stories from fellow Laverda pilgrims would be extremely helpful.

Cheers,

Alex
Click to expand...
In theory, a vehicle homologated within the EU can be registered within the EU without further formality. In theory....
We obtained a CoC directly via internet for my wife's 500 registered in the UK and registered it in France. Plenty of private concerns will deliver a CoC. Payable of course but money works better than administration.
Piaggio, not Aprilia, will deliver a certificate in France
Paul
 
Exmoor beast said:
In UK you are required to provide CoC “ where applicable” - obviously can’t provide one if vehicle predates them. I provide as much relevant information as I have from owners clubs, pictures of complete bike, MOT (TUV) and an enclosing letter . France was an absolute twat to export a bike to ( when we were in the EU!) we sold a Kawasaki Trials bike and they were making it up as they went along. I find if you include everything that might make the office wallahs job easy, neat, in right order etc they are most obliging . I have registered 5 unknown origin, barn find, pre Nova bikes in the last two years , all using charm!
Click to expand...
Reading your post I wonder if an engineer’s report from a certified expert (TÜV) could help...? Can you give me an example of the enclosing letter? Did write that or an official? I reckon I would have to put the bike back to standard? Currently I have Miunis installed but I still have the original Dellortos in the shelf... My wife can take care of the "Charm-part"... :-)
 
Alex M said:
Reading your post I wonder if an engineer’s report from a certified expert (TÜV) could help...? Can you give me an example of the enclosing letter? Did write that or an official? I reckon I would have to put the bike back to standard? Currently I have Miunis installed but I still have the original Dellortos in the shelf... My wife can take care of the "Charm-part"... :-)
Click to expand...
I write my own letter, bear in mind the guy in the office knows nothing of motorcycles, he’s never heard of Laverda- he just wants an easy life and go home on time. I have included copies of any paperwork ( old receipts of purchase, foreign paperwork etc) to prove that the bike is genuine and also that I am genuine and not trying to pull a fast one. The UK doesn’t seem as hell bent on originality as Germany but they are only happy with a 90/100% complete roadworthy vehicle, not a cobbled up basket case. Out expert them by providing your own, I always refer to marque expert from recognised owners club stating that it’s “100% original roadworthy condition.” Which is exactly what they want to hear. TUV will carry a lot of clout and tick lots of boxes, go for it. Golden rule is make their life easy.
 
As per pf1's reply, it would be worth checking if the country you're going to has a 'vintage-style' registration option.

In France, I registered my UK Laverda as a 'moto de collection' which saved a lot of faffing about. No CoC needed, and at the time, no equivalent to an MOT needed, you just got your reg document (carte grise). The French have now introduced a bike MoT (to some outrage), but it's a pretty basic check. And they can't object to the decibel or emission levels since they're unstated on the bike's carte grise. Win win.

Also back in the day, with a moto de collection they issued you a 'cheque book', where you had to post off a slip every time you wanted to leave your particular French department for another one. Where you were going, plus the 'reason', the only possible choices being visiting a mechanic or attending a bike rally. Ridiculous, of course – and no-one did it – so it's now scrapped!
 
Hello Alex, I bought my 1976 3CL in Germany and imported it into Austria some 4 years ago.
The authorities wanted a lot of paperwork, for registration purposes, however it really helped that the bike was near enough standard at the time.
I guess it really depends on what country you are importing into to know what rules and regulations are applicable.
I had to bring my bike to an authorised testing station where the guy went over it with a fine tooth comb.
If you want to drop me your email address I can send you documents that they were after, Russ
 
Last time I registered a bike in the UK it was a 1200TS from the former Yugoslavia. It had a NOVA certificate to say tax had been paid when imported. I cobbled up a receipt, filled a form V55/5 in, none of the CoC questions were filled in because the bike was too old to have a CoC, enclosed a cheque for £55 and the old registration document from Sarajevo, copy of passport and proof of address and two weeks later had a UK registration document.
No pictures, no MOT, just the above. They didn't want to inspect it either, luckily.
When I wanted to register a bike in Portugal I went to an agent in a town called Pombal. There were tight restrictions on how long the bike could be in the country before the registration application was made. He said no inspection was required but photos etc had to be provided including of the tyres. This was when the UK was in the EU. He would have done the job for €450 at that time. Newer bikes needed noise tests etc.
 
Exmoor beast said:
I write my own letter, bear in mind the guy in the office knows nothing of motorcycles, he’s never heard of Laverda- he just wants an easy life and go home on time. I have included copies of any paperwork ( old receipts of purchase, foreign paperwork etc) to prove that the bike is genuine and also that I am genuine and not trying to pull a fast one. The UK doesn’t seem as hell bent on originality as Germany but they are only happy with a 90/100% complete roadworthy vehicle, not a cobbled up basket case. Out expert them by providing your own, I always refer to marque expert from recognised owners club stating that it’s “100% original roadworthy condition.” Which is exactly what they want to hear. TUV will carry a lot of clout and tick lots of boxes, go for it. Golden rule is make their life easy.
Click to expand...
I think that is a very sensible approach... in the end we're dealing with public services...
 
Alex M said:
OK, what's that like in Portugal? We are currently preparing the move to either Portugal or Ireland.
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I went to see these people, luckily they were local to me then, I had a chat to the head guy and he gave me a some pointers on what they would need to do the job for me and the cost. Things may have changed now so I would advise contacting them. There didn't seem to be many alternatives to his company at the time.
Almost forgot, you can import a couple of vehicles tax free if you become a resident.
 
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