The WD Flea uses a 4-position Miller Switch, part number MT3/MI/72M/125, in the headlight......this switch has 4 positions, "CH, H, T, P"..........the headlamp complete with mask is a Miller MT3/MI/78M..........

The 1942 Matchless G3L's fitted with Miller equipment specified the same headlamp as the Flea but without the "125" suffix.......also incorporating an ammeter (part number MT3/MI/75V/WD........................

The lighting switch for the G3L so equipped is MT3/MI/72M/125, the same as a Flea.............

So, how would this switch work on a Matchless G3L ? There is no "Off" position so we can assume that "CH" (for charge) is the same as "Off" ? But the Flea has no battery, and a different magneto system, so how exactly do these same switches work ? As far as I know, both shared the same Miller WD tail lamp but the Matchless has a battery fitted (Miller Type MT4/80230), plus a Miller dynamo (MT4/MI/WDM) and regulator fitted (MT4/MI/CV1/WD) whereas the Flea lacked all of this....(just having a copper-wound ceramic resistor fitted below the switch)............?

Steve the Velocette MDD and MAF were also fitted with that same Miller switch. The MAF parts list quotes the same part number as the Flea but the MDD parts list only quotes the complete headlamp assembly. Here is the wiring diagram for the MAF. The MDD diagram is a different drawing to show the different tail lamp and such but exactly the same wiring circuit. Yes the CH is the OFF position.
As we know the Fleas has a direct lighting system with no battery and the headlamp resister is shown as a seperate item #MT3/M1/78M/1. Ron
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email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Thanks Ron. The G3L from frame number 39512 to 41011 were fitted with the Miller equipment too, and the same switch (!) but like you I've noticed that the ceramic resistor is not specified and is a separate fitting...........

My thoughts were initially that this switch was originally intended for the Flea and/or WD applications for machines having a "charge" system of lighting (and the "T" position for WD applications), but then the production Flea did not enter service until mid-1943 compared to the Velo MAF and Miller-equipped G3L's which were introduced 1942.....

Also worth noting that the Miller kit was only fitted (as an alternative) to the G3L that was not magdyno-equipped and as standard to the Velo that had a similar arrangement.........did Miller ever make a "mag-dyno" unit ? The Miller kit, compared to Lucas, appears to be far more complicated, detailed and perhaps a tad "delicate"........it seems to have been none-too-popular.......

I don't know of a Miller mag/dyno Steve, and yes these switches must have been in service from as early as 1940 (MDD). I guess the small batch of G3L's that were Miller equipped was due to some hold up at Lucas (did they receive a bomb?) And that the Miller dynamo would fit straight in that hole of darkness in the engine plates. I have heard that Miller stuff can be a bit temperamental, but it seemed good enough for at least Velo and Vincent. In fact I run my BSA/Indian special on an ex Velo dynamo which needs a regular charge as it's coil ignition. I modified the belt drive pulley to run an Indian chain sprocket and connected it through a modern electronic regulator.....So far, It charges with no problem. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Here some pictures of my NOS switch, no resistor fitted, but Steve mentions this was a separate thing?







And one found on the battlefield;



Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbxxx.net (think about this)

I posted the part number for the resistor. Not that it will help to find one....Can I have the battlefield switch Lex? Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Ah, yes Ron, I misread that, sorry, will file it for future reference.

The dug up Flea is in the Airborne museum in Oosterbeek, they have a new (female) director, so if you want to try your charms there, I have no objection



I have half of a dug up Flea from the same area, but alas no headlamp....

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbxxx.net (think about this)

I'm not sure I could cope with another woman Lex. I'm having too much fun with Georgina! Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Ah, that's why I hear nothing from her anymore! but I'll get my revenge when I take her in the sidecar in July, ooops bike broke down in the woods.....


Cheers,

Lex

ps, off to a jumble so no emails for a while.

email (option): welbike@welbxxx.net (think about this)

I think Miller kit was used simply because Lucas couldn't keep up with production demand mid-war, bomb on the works or not.................

Miller electrics seem to be far better made than Lucas items, but with the WD commonality of components was a requirement and with the vast majority of WD machinery being fitted with Lucas the Miller products were likely a temporary wartime expedient, particularly in the case of Matchless.................

Despite searching countless images, I've only ever seen one image of a G3L with Miller equipment fitted (identifyable by the headlamp) in Gibraltar..........seemingly, the contract so fitted with Miller kit had an "A" stamped on the engine cases by the number to identify Amal control components fitted to these Miller-equipped machines, whereas the contract running parallel to this fitted with standard Lucas equipment carried a "B" to signify Bowden controls fitted...................all according to the relevant parts book for contracts C.12632 and C.12633.........