Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the DU142 and DU142F headlamp?

Cheers

From memory I believe that the F indicates the lamp was installed on a machine that was scheduled for export (from Britain).
Wade

email (option): iron_ariel@yahoo.ca

Thanks Wade, that's interesting. I thought maybe they might have had physical differences. Cheers

Carla this is a DU142F (with 8" blackout mask). It has a screw fixing for the rim and as far as I know, they were made up till 1939/40. The DU142 has the more common spring clip at the bottom. Ron
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email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Hi Ron, the DU142F that's just arrived has the spring clip?

email (option): carlamports@gmail.com

Blowed if I know then? It might be possible to fit a spring clip instead of the screw type? Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

In the 1940 V.A.O.S. lists(Vocabulary of Army Ordnance Spares), the headlamp quoted for the WM20 and WD16H is the DU142 R....this was before any blackout mask was fitted (but Lucas may have supplied the manilla paper insert).

Lucas were continually superseding. I've seen references to the DU142/cvc...if supplied as a complete unit, those for use with compensated voltage control had a different part name from those used earlier.

A change in number might relate to something as simple as whether the instrument panel screws were chromed or not.

There was however clearly a visual alteration in the change from the three-piece and rather fiddly screw closure to the later spring clip type. However, both clips are correct wartime fitments and unless inclined to extreme rivet-counting (perish the thought !) or intent upon a scenario that took place before a certain date, it's probably not worth worrying too much.

There wouldn't have been any spring clips at Dunkirk but a month or two either way is not going to spoil a home front portrayal.

I thought the screw fixing was correct for a WD 8" headlight and the clip type was a civvie headlight? I'm sure Lex supplies a screw fixing conversion for these lights if you want to change it.

Carla, if you've bough an Indian repro, I wouldn't go on what they call it. I've seen the clips for sale and listed for an MU42 and DU42 when the MU42 didn't use that clip.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Dave, not the cast clip used on the MU series with the rounded glass, but the plain steel spring clip as per the DU42. I've seen them on blackout masks too. It may have been a retro-fit / spare part only...it's difficult to be sure.

I wasn't talking about the cast clip for the MU42 but the spring clip on the DU42. I'm sure Lex told me the WD 8" headlight (DU142) should have a screw fixing for the rim, that's why he's made the conversion available.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Well, I mostly go by what original period pictures show, (parts lists are just repeating the same thing over and over again, and were often printed before the actual bikes were ready) and I have loads of those, also from the Imperial War Museum, and the detail is very good, as they are printed off the original negatives, very pricey, but worth it.





That's how I came to the conclusion that the "F" type was used on most early 8" headlamps, there are/were always exceptions of course, impressed machines would have the spring clip, etc. etc. But how it came to be that the army used the screw on type, was just standardisation I think, as some lorries used this same arrangement, so why not adopt that.

Running very low on these (NOS) sets now, so no more sales till I can complete some more sets.

Cheers,

Lex

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

Hi Lex

I had the small plate from you but am still looking for the screw to complete my headlight assy

Do you have one or Can anyone help with that ?

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Just got an NOS screw from Hussein, he might have more.

It's just a brass, dome-head BA screw.........nothing special..............I used one from stock.........

No Steve! It's not really anything like a normal screw. It's more of a cheese head and knurled round the edge. It has a larger diameter smooth portion to sit inside the rim clip. I had this one copied from an original and made a wee bit longer to aid me fit the black out mask. Ron

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email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Well, I mostly go by what original period pictures show, (parts lists are just repeating the same thing over and over again, and were often printed before the actual bikes were ready)

That's how I came to the conclusion that the "F" type was used on most early 8" headlamps, there are/were always exceptions of course, impressed machines would have the spring clip, etc. etc. But how it came to be that the army used the screw on type, was just standardisation I think, as some lorries used this same arrangement, so why not adopt that.Lex[/quote]

I've had a good look through my photographic collection and have to agree with Lex on this. There are a number of images which I vaguely thought were 8" with a spring clip which on closer inspection appear to be mid-1942 onwards DU42s. This applies to both Norton and BSA

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In my defence, having restored a 1939 16H with intact headlamp, I've never had to look too hard at this aspect.

It would be far safer to work on the basis that 8" military lamps have the screw clip

No Steve! It's not really anything like a normal screw. It's more of a cheese head and knurled round the edge. It has a larger diameter smooth portion to sit inside the rim clip. I had this one copied from an original and made a wee bit longer to aid me fit the black out mask. Ron

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Sorry Ron......I should have mentioned that these were the brass cheese-head screws I used FROM STOCK ! Got none left now however............

No Steve! It's not really anything like a normal screw. It's more of a cheese head and knurled round the edge. It has a larger diameter smooth portion to sit inside the rim clip. I had this one copied from an original and made a wee bit longer to aid me fit the black out mask. Ron

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Sorry Ron......I should have mentioned that these were the brass cheese-head screws I used FROM STOCK ! Got none left now however............ They were not "knurled" however and just had the normal domed head with a slot cut-in..........in a box with Lucas part number too that matched the 1940 G3 parts list.........

Thanks Sam

Appreciate the tip off

If anyone in the meantime has one they want to sell, I would be willing to purchase

Best regards

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com