"We specialise in Die Pressed (Embossed) 16 gauge Mirror Polished Aluminium plates (particularly suited for the older bike, i.e. 1920's to 1960's).
Reflective (i.e. black on yellow) plates were introduced on to our roads in January 1973. These are also available in pressed metal, with the same range of sizes.
With "Standard" Motorcycle plates having 2 1/2" digits and "Trials" having 1 3/4" , there are therefore a variety of overall sizes of plate available. However, many plates are 'custom-made' to suit a template, if provided."
Any thing but a full size REFLECTIVE plate is illegal on a bike as modern as a ttr. So a steel one is technically illegal. I would go for a flexi plate. They arent legal either as they too arent made from that wonderfully brittle reflective plastic.vbut it would take an awfully anal copper to give you a ticket. Plus they dont break. Ever. A steal one will bend. And I dont fancy being bitten by a metal plate.
After much deliberation I got a flexi plate from ebay and a tail tidy from Brian, fitted tonight and the whole rear end is now a lot more legal than it was on Monday evening with half a rear plate!