Triumphrat

frogonwheels · 11-29-2012, 12:20 PM

Lucas, Prince of darkness : we all know I didn't come up with it ! But I couldn't help thinking it when the headlight bulb went out as I was riding at night !
Lucky me, I still had the parking light to show the way home.
Terry

KADUTZ · 11-29-2012, 10:43 PM

frog

Regarding you headlight problem there are a couple of ways to go other than the stock 370 bulb. You will have to obtain a 3 wire headlight pigtail and you will lose your pilot bulb if you folllow any of the suggestions. The pigtail should be avaliable at any good auto parts store.
On my 78 T140 I installed a H4 Halegon conversion using a 35watt H-4 bulb. (Believe the H4 bulb came out of a Yamaha) You can also install a sealed beam from auto parts #6014,6015, or H6024 bulb. To me if you go this route the 6015 would be the prefered one as it will withstand the vibration better. Another option is to install a Motorcycle sealed beam. If I were going to do this I would get one from a Yamaha dealer from a 79 XS650. I use this example only as I am familiar with it. You may not be aware but 82 Triumphs came with sealed beam headlights.

As far as the rest of the bulbs on you bike match wattage and style when you go to auto parts for bulbs. You may have to go to an import auto parts to get the correct bulb. I belive Wangner bulb application guides have a bulb number cross over chart in them. A Lucas #380 bulb(taillight) is not the same as an 1157 just as a Lucas #382 bulb (turnsignal) is not the same as a 1156 bulb even though they look alike.

Hope the above is of assistance.

K

frogonwheels · 11-30-2012, 10:30 AM

Thank you for the infos. Most of the other bubs, I found at the local auto part store. Some are not exact repliquas, but work just fine. As for the headlight bulb, I ordered from Rabers in San Jose and with their minimum order policy, I got 3 bulbs and some fuel lines. They charged me $ 5.00 per bulb, which is less than what I found on Ebay.
Sometimes its funny to see the face of the clerks at the auto place when I show them the Triumph parts I am trying to match : most are so young, they have never heard of Triumph, Montesa, MZ etc...
Terry

gzrglyde · 11-30-2012, 10:46 AM

I have had several Brit rides over the past 45 years...BSA Lightning, Triumph Bonney and Trophy, BSA 441 Victor, and so on. Everyone I knew here in the states referred to Lucas back in the 60s and 70s as "Prince of Darkness", and I will attest that compared to other electrical systems on other bikes...including Harley-Davidsons...I don't recall any other systems giving fits as much as Lucas.

Having said that, I am now restoring a T160, and I have ahd to replace a lot of the electrics...just victim of old age and neglect of 25 years in a garage. Standard...would happen to any vehicle. I am told by my suppliers both here in the states and in the UK that Lucas makes much better products now. We'll see. I can't imagine a company now improving on quality over the years.

Just my hack,
Glenn

rheacerdave · 11-30-2012, 11:21 AM

It's all about the magic smoke.

Everyone knows when the smoke leaks out of the wiring, nothing works. My wife had a Midget and I had a Spitfire for several years.
For the record, I used a new Lucas starter on my Formula Ford with great success when I had it back in the 90's.

DAVE M · 11-30-2012, 12:13 PM

my only proviso is that names are sold and is "Lucas" now, the same company?

I have an original bike apart from a Pazon ignition, PVL coils, a yet to be fitted Wassell solid state rectifier, and a good make of battery. The indicators are different.

so my switches and wiring are original (with a few mended bits) and the tail and head light is the same.

Same alternator.

I have a feeling that modern Lucas stuff is made in india-which may not be bad - but it's not the original factory

Triton Thrasher · 11-30-2012, 12:49 PM

There's no shame in fitting a 7" reflector that takes a modern bulb.

Old Cafe Racer · 11-30-2012, 05:12 PM

In the end it all comes down to if you want a completely original bike or one which will be reliable with modern electrics.
I know for a fact it's no fun being sat at the side of the road in the hot sun repairing Lucas electrics and telling every one who stops to help (or laugh) how original the bike is.
Modern electrics for me every time, just keep the original old stuff for if ever you want to sell the bike (heaven forbid)

.

TCEd · 11-30-2012, 05:17 PM

I had a Lotus Cortina that ran well once the Lucas electronics were swapped out for Ford stuff.
ed

triumpt120rv · 11-30-2012, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogonwheels

Thank you for the infos. Most of the other bubs, I found at the local auto part store. Some are not exact repliquas, but work just fine. As for the headlight bulb, I ordered from Rabers in San Jose and with their minimum order policy, I got 3 bulbs and some fuel lines. They charged me $ 5.00 per bulb, which is less than what I found on Ebay.
Sometimes its funny to see the face of the clerks at the auto place when I show them the Triumph parts I am trying to match : most are so young, they have never heard of Triumph, Montesa, MZ etc...
Terry

I changed out my Lucas headlight for a sealed halogen beam as mentioned by Kadutz simply because I was unsatified with the light beam. My Lucas is wrapped in newspaper and in a box in the garage. The $16.00 sealed halogen beam gives me a better light at night but does not adversely affect charging my battery. I've had to change the Halogen once because the filament became intermittently unattached while riding (either vibration or manufacturer defect caused this to happen). I don't get into stock/non stock arguments with myself when a simple switch out of a part could mean the difference of getting into an accident at night due to visibility issues. But then again, my bike hasn't been stock for about 40 years so I guess it's easier for me. Good luck, Frog, whatever you decide.