Just been looking at going for the 40 year old classic status for tax and MOT etc, and dug out the Yamaha application for dating letter (£55). Not sure if I need one yet. Bike is imported, UK registered for decades.
How many of your 1980s XTs have the number physically stamped on the right side of the headstock, and how many have plates or stickers?
Yamaha say they won’t date a bike with a sticker or plate.

Last year I applied for historic registration on my XT600Z 34L.
I wasn't asked for any official dating certificate, just took the V5 into the local post office who sent it away. Came back as a historic vehicle on the V5 a couple of weeks later, simple as that. It's still running last years MOT and tax. I've heard you still have to apply for tax, but it's not charged.
My 1VJ's have the serial numbers stamped on the frames running down the headstock tube on the right and a VIN plate rivetted to the front of the headstock tube.

Cadno .I am in the same space with my 2 off 1VJ April 2027. I am assuming that other they were more recently registered that the fact they both say date of manufacture 1986 and clear frame number that's good enough. Speak 1st April 27

I believe they all have the frame number on the RHS of the head and a plate riveted to the front.
Same number on each, and would have left the factory with the same number on the engine. I have one powder coated bike that you can barey see the frame number, I think I'll be uncovering it sooner or later. A bit of a pain with powder coat.
If there's no number on the frame then someone's removed it, no prize for guessing why.

The cutoff date for historic tax is 8th January before April in the same year.
E.g. mine says first registered 1st January 1986 on the V5 so is Historic as from April 2026. Not sure how they registered it on a bank holiday.
If it states manufactured 1986 it's not Historic until April 2027.
You don't need a dating certificate for Historic status.

Thanks guys. Hopefully all good then. Frame was done in 2015, and the photos of the strip down didn’t show up a visible number either. Weirdly I also have an untouched blue frame, which also has no visible number stamped either. Just a sticker. A 2RW, 1987. Original paint. Neither have any sign of an existing number being removed etc. My v5 says declared built in 1986, imported around 1998, so maybe I’ll do it before jan next year.

If there's no number and no sign of removal then it's a replacement frame from Yamaha. The supplying dealer should have stamped it, many don't

Cheers. Thinking back to the good old days, D reg came in on august 86, so my C reg 1vj was sold some time early 86, which means I’ll be ok to send the forms off for Jan next year.

My understanding is that a 1986 bike will not be tax charge and MoT free until April 2027 ... I doubt if they will process any paperwork until then. Roll on 49 weeks to go!

Here’s looking forward.
By then, a year’s road tax rebate would pay for a litre of fuel

Hi,
I have a 1VJ that I understand was manufactured in 1986, Frame number is mid 7000s. It is obviously an import to the UK as the V5 says it was registered in March 2005. Does anyone know if DVLA would issue a 1986 reg? I am not so fussed about the historical reg, but it would be nice, but I would really like it to have the correct year Plate. I guess I could buy a C Reg private plate if DVLA won't play ball.
Cheers Simon