Hi all

I recently bought a headlight with a switch included and ammeter

Similar to my own I thought but looking at it today I see it is different

My fitted switch has the following positions, off, T, L , H

The switch I bought has off, C, H , L

Like the one on my bike, it has 7 terminals on the rear, 2 wing type arms instead of 1 and the centre has a bekelite cover / centre instead of alloy

Lettering has a different appearance - double lines instead of one sharp impression on the outside

Any idea of the year - war time or post war ?

Jo'b

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Hi John...Pre war, I think for use with the 'three brush' Lucas dynamo...I recently had a NOS one of these and sold it to Leon..he may be interested in another as he has..er...more than one bike.. ...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Doesn't the 'C' stand for 'Charge' ? Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Thanks Ian,

It came in a 6" headlight along with a CZ ammeter dated 1945

Must have been a replacement at some point

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Yes Ron, It's for a pre war 3 brush set up. This type of system had no regulator so OFF is no charge C is charge but it does this through a resistor (coil of wire) so not to boil the battery, it worked out around half charge. Then L for lights and bypassing the resistor so full charge with the lights on. I think the voltage control unit MCR1 with the 2 brush dynamo came out in 1936 but some makes carried on using the 3 brush system till the war.

Tim W

email (option): t.j.walker@btinternet.com

HiJohn,
could you posssibly post a photo of the switch, as i am looking for such a switch for a Triumph?

cheers Dave J.

email (option): jamfam@dragnet.com.au

Bidding ended, but still can see photo.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-LUCAS-Tank-Panel-Switch-OFF-C-H-L-Pre-War-BSA-AJS-Triumph-MATCHLESS-/181060854844?nma=true&si=%252FnYKM24tbf3j%252Bw2oITEcwe8GxKE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Iem No. 181060854844

I see now that it is a "Tank panel", but I guss it is tha same or close..



Noam.

email (option): noam10@gmail.com

Hi John,

As said before this is for a 3 brush dynamo set up. If the panel is the correct one it should have a bracket riveted on the inside between the switch and the ammeter which actually held the resistor. This was used on a lot of pre war BSA bikes without an instrument panel in the tank. Lucas introduced the CVC system which we all know for the 1937 model year (i.e. in August 1936).

Could you post a picture of he switch John?

Regards,
Leon

And ehhh yes I do have some more bikes (mostly pre war BSA, some post war, a BMW R60/7 and 2 CB400f Hondas)

email (option): leonhop3@planet.nl

Hi Ron

If I sent photos to you, could you post for me

Am still fighting with photo bucket - it won't play ball with me !!

Leon
No bracket inside the switch holder so it's a later type I suspect

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

No probs John.

Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Looks like a I made a mistake in the original description, sorry about that

The older switch has a single brass lever & the newer version has a twin brass lever selector

Still interested to hear the origin of the switch if possible

Best regards

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

John's pictures. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Hi John and Ron,
thanks for the pictures, much appreciated.

cheers Dave

John,

As stated before it's a headlamp switch for Lucas systems with a 3 brush dynamo and switch panel in the headlamp. This was used on many pre war motorcycles.

I bought a NOS from Ian but might be intersted in this one as well depending on price.

Regards,
Leon

email (option): leonhop3@planet.nl

Hi folks thanks for confirmation, have learned once again thanks to forum

Not finally decided what to do with the switch yet, but for sure, my 44 m20'doesnt need a 3 brush switch

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Try Malcolm Leech, he may swap yours for the correct one when you see him at a jumble. He seems to keep a small stock of switches

email (option): davmax@ntlworld.com