My bike, officially now a Historic Vehicle

 Historic Vehicles Tax and MOT (UK)

In the UK, historic vehicles are cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles built or first registered more than 40 years ago that qualify for exemptions from vehicle tax and MOT testing. Vehicles built before 1 January 1986** qualify to stop paying vehicle tax starting 1 April 2026. You must formally apply to change your vehicle's tax class rather than receiving the status automatically

As my MBX is now over 40 years old I want to re-classify it as a historic vehicle. Unfortunately this service isn't available online, however any major Post Office can do this.

All you need is a copy the log book and a proof of MOT or proof of MOT exemption which is you can do via a self declaration (V112) form. You will need to download and print the V112 and take it with you, you can download the form here.

The Post office will then record your docs and send off the log book to the DVLA, they state the log book will take around 4 weeks to process and return. There is no charge for this service.

It is important to mention although your bike will now be TAX and MOT exempt you will still need insurance and if you don't insure your bike the bike needs to be declared on SORN, even though the tax is £0.

** based on todays date

History project - help needed!

 I am currently building the history file for my MBX80, obviously I have a lot of content under my ownership, but I have quite a few MOT's and tax discs so I can see before me he bike was in Kent, Surrey and West Yorkshire.

If you owned A250 PFL at any point in its life or have a picture of it I would dearly love to hear from you, please contact via the contact form on the right of the page.

My Bike, Stafford Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show 2025

 A Weekend with the MBX: Memories, Motorcycles, and Magic at Stafford

The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at Stafford is always a highlight of the year, but this October 11th and 12th felt different. This time, my little Honda MBX80 wasn’t just another bike on the floor – it was part of something bigger: the Retro Mopeds Club stand.

A bit of backstory: I co-admin a Facebook group called ‘Retro Mopeds 70’s–90’s’ with my friend Andrew Longley. The page is a haven for enthusiasts of all bikes under 90cc, whether standard or wildly modified. Last year, Andrew and I displayed our bikes as private entries, and while sharing stories with fellow fans, we hatched an idea – a club stand. Fast forward to this year, and our vision had become reality.

The stand was a small but mighty showcase. Andrew brought three bikes: an MT5, MB5, and RD50. Steve Mawson contributed a jaw-dropping custom MBX80, and my own MBX80 completed the lineup. Standing back and seeing the five machines together, I felt a surge of pride – this wasn’t just my bike, it was part of a movement celebrating a generation of two-wheelers.

I’ll admit, I had a twinge of doubt. The MBX had been on show the past two years – would people still care? From the moment the doors opened, all doubts vanished. Enthusiasts flocked to the stand, eager to chat, share stories, and snap photos. Conversations flowed – memories of rides, modifications, and teenage adventures – and for the first time, my MBX wasn’t just a display piece; it was a bridge connecting strangers through shared passion.

Then came Sunday morning – a moment I’ll never forget. The winners’ names were posted, and my friends Tony and Steve nudged me excitedly. Could it be? Scanning the list, my heart leapt. There it was: 2nd Best 1980s Bike, runner-up to a Kawasaki Z1300! My MBX80, a humble 80cc two-stroke, would be receiving recognition on the main stage.

The day became a blur of excitement. Andrew’s MT5 and my Aprilia AF1 each received a ‘Highly Commended’ award. And then it was time. Walking onto the stage, the buzz of the crowd mixing with my racing heartbeat, I was handed my award by none other than Wayne Gardner, 1987 500cc World Champion and one of my heroes. When he asked about the bike, I replied, “It’s a little Honda MBX80 2-stroke.” He grinned and said, “Ripper!” – and just like that, a childhood dream collided with reality.

This year’s show was more than just an exhibition; it was an experience, a celebration of community, passion, and the joy of two wheels. The club stand added a layer of camaraderie and fun that I’ll be chasing for years to come. Stafford 2025 wasn’t just another show – it was a weekend of memories I’ll cherish forever.

For more on the Aprilia on display, see here:

shaking hands with Wayne Gardner

Dan Jones, Steve Mawson, Tony Mawson, Andrew Longley

My guide to restoration, part 3

Following on from the guide to restoration part 1 and 2 blog posts here is the parts listing for my restoration. Where possible I have included the original Honda Part number and where the item was bought from, shop links at the bottom of the page.

Item                description                 Bought from     Part number

Bike         MBX80 FWDD         ebay

Bolts         Bolt 6x12 x 2                 CMSNL            95701-0601208

Bolts         Bolt 6 x 16 x 2         CMSNL              95701-0601608

Bolts         Bolt 6x16 x 4                 CMSNL             96001-0601600

Bolts         Bolt 5x16 x 2                 CMSNL             92000-050160A

Bolts         Bolt 5x12 x 2                 CMSNL             92101-050120B

Bolts         Bolt 5 x 12 x 2         CMSNL             92101-050120G

Bolts         Bolt 6 x 22 x 2         CMSNL             95701-0602207

Bolts         Handle bar clamp bolts x 4 CMSNL     90117GE2000

Brakes         Front brake light switch ebay

Brakes         Brake calliper repair kit ebay

Brakes         Brake calliper repair kit ebay

Brakes         Reservoir window         ebay

Brakes         Rear brake light switch ebay

Brakes         Brake boot seal         ebay

Brakes         Brake lever                 ebay

Brakes         Brake pads                 ebay

Brakes         Brake lever repair kit ebay

Brakes         Front brake hoses         Brake Quip

Cables         Tacho cable                 ebay

Cables         Clutch lever                 ebay

Cables         Throttle cable                 David Silver Spares

Cables         Clutch cable                 David Silver Spares

Cables         Speedo cable                 David Silver Spares

Engine Parts Spring kick ester         David Silver Spares

Engine Parts Pinion kick starter         David Silver Spares

Engine Parts Gear Idle                         David Silver Spares

Engine Parts Engine Rebuild         M Shop

Engine Parts Water pump shaft         CMSNL         19230-G32-000

Engine Parts Water pump bush         CMSNL         90436-GE2-000

Engine Parts idler shaft                 CMSNL         13430-GT5-690

Engine Parts Crankcase gasket         CMSNL         1393-GAA-000

Engine Parts air filter                         CMSNL         17211-GE2-000

Misc         misc small parts/ springs/ washers Various

NOS Parts Fuel Tank                 Brommer Classics

NOS Parts Tool Tray                 CMSNL         77308-GE2-000

NOS Parts Collar                         CMSNL         80112-443-850

NOS Parts Luggage Rack                 CMSNL         81200-GE3_610

NOS Parts Fairing stay                 ebay

NOS Parts Radiator                         CMSNL

NOS Parts Fuel filler cap                 M Shop

NOS Parts Clock case upper         ebay

NOS Parts Clock case lower         ebay

NOS Parts Headlight                 Facebook

NOS Parts Throttle                         M Shop

NOS Parts LH switch gear         M Shop

NOS Parts Fairing                         ebay

NOS Parts Radiator cover         M Shop

NOS Parts Belly pan                     ebay

NOS Parts Seat                                 M Shop

NOS Parts Rear brake pedal         German ebay

NOS Parts Chain cover                 M Shop

NOS Parts Exhaust                         ebay

NOS Parts Fork stanchions x 2 M Shop/ ebay

NOS Parts Oil tank                        ebay

NOS Parts Rear Shock                ebay

Paint         Caliper paint                 ebay

Paint         Paint                               ebay

Paint         Powder coating         Local

Paint         Misc paints                 Local

Parts         Washer (6x20) x 2         CMSNL         90512-300-000

Parts         Band B Battery         CMSNL         95012-12001

Parts         Battery                         ebay

Parts         Chain and Sprocket Kit ebay

Parts         Rubber Air/C mount x 2 CMSNL         17245-107-010

Parts         Winker assy x 2         CMSNL         33400-GG4-601 

Parts         Cover winker x 4         CMSNL         33425-437-711

Parts         Winker assy x 2         CMSNL         33600-GG4-601

Parts         Washer winker mount x 2 CMSNL 33611-437-710

Parts         Rub, RR, winker x 2 CMSNL         33612-437-710

Parts         Rub, RR, winker x 2 CMSNL         33614-GE3-610

Parts         Grommet                         CMSNL         45451-GE2-0000

Parts         Collar fender x 2         CMSNL         61104-428-010

Parts         Collar 7.5x6.8 x 4         CMSNL         90501-437-710

Parts         Collar winker x 2         CMSNL         90506-GE3-610

Parts         Spring washer x 4         CMSNL         94111-05000

Parts         Fuel hose                         ebay

Parts         Clutch lever rubber         ebay

Parts         Handlebar                 M Shop

Parts         Handlebar grips         M Shop

Parts         Gear shifter                 M Shop

Parts         Gear shifter rubber         M Shop

Parts         Front foot peg complete x 2 M Shop

Parts         Rear foot pegs                 M Shop

Parts         Chain rubber slider         M Shop

Parts         Rear brake rocker arm CMSNL

Parts         Headset bearings         ebay

Parts         Swing arm bushings David Silver Spares

Parts         Horn                         M Shop

Parts         Fork oil seals                 ebay

Parts         Mirrors x 2                 M Shop

Parts         Fuel tap                         M Shop

Parts         Tyres Metzler ME22 Tweeks

Parts         Number Plate (custom) Retro Plates

Plating         Zinc plating                 Local

Stickers         Sticker kit                 ebay

Stickers         Tank warning sticker CMSNL     87560375680ZB

Stickers         Tyre inflation sticker ebay     87505GE3610

Used Parts Tail unit                        German ebay

Used Parts Side panels                German ebay

Used Parts Front mudgaurd        German ebay

Part 1 of the restoration guide here

Part 2 of the restoration guide here

view the complete restoration here

Visit CMSNL here

Visit the Honda M Shop - now Honda M Parts here

Visit David Silver Spares here

My guide to restoration, part 2

Following on from the guide to restoration part 1 blog post here I have broken down each section of the bike and listed if I used a new, second hand or refurbished parts for my restoration. Being honest, there are a lot of NOS parts which in reality probably didn't need changing, but a lot were cheap ebay buys and I collected a lot over the years.

Frame
Main frame: stripped and powder coated black. ID plate re-riveted. New head race bearings.
Side stand: Stripped and powder coated.
Swing arm: Stripped powder coated. New bearings, New decals.

Suspension
Front, lower fork legs cleaned and polished with wire wool. NOS stanchions. New seals. Triple clamps re-painted.
Rear, NOS rear shock complete. Pro Link Linkages painted. New swing arm bearings.

Wheels & tyres
Cleaned, hubs painted, wheel spacers re-plated, axles zinc re-plated
New Metzler ME22 tyres

Brakes
Front: New OEM style brake lines, master cylinder piston, master cylinder inspection window, brake lever, brake light switch, caliper pistons, seals, pads, caliper bolts and pins
Rear: NOS pedal, spring, brake light switch, re-plated actuator rod, new rocker arm, new wear indicator, new wear indicator felt, painted drum.

Engine
Engine re-bored, new piston, all new bearings, new seals, new clutch, new kickstarter mechanism, new gear shifter pedal and rubber, new carb, engine painted. NOS exhaust. New Carburettor (original broken) 
Cooling system: NOS radiator, NOS hoses & clips, radiator mounts painted, expansion reservoir cleaned.
Lubricating system: NOS 2 stroke oil reservoir.
Final drive: New chain and sprockets. NOS chain guard. Tyre pressure decal

Electrical
Wiring look cleaned and re-wrapped in places. NOS indicators, mounting bolts and rubbers. Indicator brackets repaired and painted. New horn. Cleaned and painted rear light assembly. NOS head light. New battery. Battery box cleaned and bracket painted.

Bodywork
NOS fuel tank, NOS Fuel cap, new fuel tap and hose, fuel tank warning decal. NOS fairing, NOS belly pan, NOS rad cover, Liquid cooled decal, NOS seat, re-painted front mudguard, side panels and tail unit with decals applied.

Cockpit
NOS upper and lower clock cases. New case screws. NOS LH switch unit and clutch lever. NOS throttle housing. NOS grips. New cable tidies, New mirrors. NOS faring mounting frame. NOS handlebar. 

MISC
New speedo cable, tacho cable, clutch cable .
Re-plated nuts and bolts + various NOS bolts and washers
NOS foot rest rubbers. New rear foot pegs on painted brackets
Stripped and powder coated rear carrier rack.
High quality used rear mudguard with NOS shock guard
Painted front mudguard brace.
Custom number plate.

Read about the part 1 of this series here

Follow the complete restoration here

My guide to restoration, part 1

I often get asked the question ‘how much did it cost you’ or ‘how much would it cost to restore another bike’?

It’s a difficult question to answer as prices for parts and bikes vary so much as parts bikes get harder to find and there is not an indefinite supply. Over the next few posts I will try a break it down to give you a realistic guide depending on how deep you want to go and what finish you want to achieve.

Bike

Prices are varying wildly right now but the days of the £300-400 project bike are long gone. Budget anywhere between £1000 and £2000 for a good usable bike, but again I would also consider what you want to end up with. If you are thinking about a factory fresh bike a £2000 bike will cost similar to a £1000 bike to fully restore, but a £2000 bike will need minimal spend to get it into decent usable condition.

Engine

I would always recommend re-building the engine, this way cases can be painted when apart so it looks so much better when its put together. If you are paying someone to do this factor in £400-£500 depending on the parts used, but if its coming apart fit new bearings, seals and gaskets.

Painting

Powder coating is easy but don’t be tempted in taking this short cut and get everything done as again this wont match the factory finish in a lot of places. Spray painting gives a ‘thinner’ finish so is more applicable to a lot of brackets, yokes, handlebar etc. You can get a good finish with a rattle can for not a lot of money. Be carful with mixing OEM painted panels with freshly painted panels as the OEM will most likely be faded by now and they won’t match. If you are painting everything, budget anywhere between £300-£1000 depending on finish and who is doing it?

Graphics

There are some genuinely good graphic kits out there now that are inexpensive (£50) and give great results. Be very careful with tank graphics placement, poor placement kills the whole visual look of the bike.

Bolts

I went down the path of re-zincing all my original bolts, however if the bolt is chewed up or rusty all you will end up with is a clean looking corroded bolt. Bath zinc plating is actually pretty cheap, so is good value and keeps an original part. Lots of replacement bolts are available from Honda and I used this as the next level replacement. Lastly you can easily and cheaply replace any bolt with alloy or stainless replacements, this for me is the last option. Zinc plating from around £30.

Shiny parts

The bike didn’t really have anything polished as standard, don’t be tempted to over polish fork legs as they should have a satin style finish. The fuel filler cap is chrome and the advice I had (and will pass on) was to only fit a genuine Honda item as aftermarket caps leak and can damage the paint on the fuel tank.

Rubber parts

Nothing makes a bike look new more than by fitting fresh rubber. Consider new handlebar grips, foot peg rubbers and tyres.

Plastic parts

A really good level of finish can be achieved using plastic trim creams and polishes. New parts can still be found, or a good quality second hand part? For example my original rear mudguard was cut down, so I used a good second hand part cleaned with a plastic polish.

Details

It’s the small things that make a difference such as warning decals, cable tidies, washers and springs. Make an effort here to lift the overall project.

No longer available parts

You will encounter some road blocks along the way where you will find that some parts are no longer available so will require either specialist restoration, for example the front brake or replacement with a good quality used option.

The end result

My personal bike required a lot of replacement parts in the end to achieve the level of finish I wanted. I could of achieved a quality non-original finished bike for less money, but that was not what I was aiming for. 

In the next post I will share the break down of all the re-finished and replacement parts I used to complete my restoration.

My bike is on the classic bike show's feed again!

 My bike featuring in the Classic Bike Show's feed again plus one of another one of my bikes...

We were talking 80cc recently - here's The MBX80 of Classic Bike Shows follower @danjones34

Any more 80cc bikes out there?#classicbikeshows #motorcycle #motorbike #motorcyclelife #classicmotorcycle #classicbike #motorcycleclub #classicmotorcycles #motorcycleevent pic.twitter.com/Ba4aKEiWTI

— ClassicBikeShows (@classicbikeshow) June 3, 2024

 

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A post shared by Classic Bike Shows (@classicbikeshows)

From Classic Bike Shows follower Dan Jones:

"1963 Triumph 3TA with matching numbers. Restored by my Dad, and re-commissioned by myself"

How about that!#classicbikeshows #motorcycle #motorbike #motorcyclelife #classicmotorcycle #classicbike #motorcycleclub #classicmotorcycles pic.twitter.com/wb7WxeG8Dt

— ClassicBikeShows (@classicbikeshow) March 6, 2024

show prep, part 2

 The final pieces for the show prep turned up, in my eyes its not perfect and there are a few things I would still like to change, but the bike is good and I'll keep chasing those last few things.

Firstly tyres. The original tyres are Bridgestone and long out of production, so the choice is some replica tyres made in the far east or a branded modern tyre. After going round in circles on this I opted for a modern Metzler ME22. Demon Tweeks has 30% off these at the moment and you can get them here: My friend at a local garage fitted them for me.

While the wheels were off I took the opportunity to fit a NOS mudguard piece. 

Next some official Honda parts from CMSNL.I ordered new handle bar grips, handlebar clamp bolts, tank warning decal, mirror and also a new speedo worm gear and oil seal which goes back to the 'noise' project.

Lastly I ordered a new old dealer number plate from Retro Plates to finish the look.

Next stop.... Stafford Classic Bike Show 14-15th October