ASK THE MXPERTS: History of the Front Number Plate

ASK THE MXPERTS: HISTORY OF THE FRONT NUMBER PLATE

Dear MXperts,
Why do bikes have a plastic strap from the front number plate to the handlebars. It doesn’t seem to serve any purpose. What does it do?

The strap is there to save your life. It keeps the brake hose from hooking behind the front number plate (which could cut or damage the brake hose). In the old days the strap kept the drum brake cable from hooking and locking the front brake on. You have to run it, but many riders cut the plastic strap off, even with their clutch cable, and zip-tie the two together. The clutch cable and mini-strap stop the brake hose from hooking