Thanks loads for all your help guys, I really appreciate it.

I used Trade.co.jp to buy the bike for me. I've bought RGV parts off them for years. They have the Spectrum auctions, so that's how I got bidding on my MC28 and other bikes. I had to put down a £350 ( or Yen equivalent) deposit to get on the auctions.

I'll be picking it up at Southampton so will pay all the duty down there.

I have a photo of the frame number so I will try and get the ball rolling while the bike is still on the boat.

This whole process of registering seems a bit of a minefield.

I'll jot down the process and the pitfalls I find along the way and hopefully it helps others out.