The Marston Sunbeam Club & Register Forum

General Category => Historical Discusions => Topic started by: Thomas on June 29, 2018, 04:58:40 PM

Title: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on June 29, 2018, 04:58:40 PM
Hi all!
For a replacement of my lost tail light I am looking for the correct original design. It's a 1937 Model 9. I presume it is either Lucas MT110 or MT211. Is that correct and what would be the right one?
Cheers, Thomas
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on July 04, 2018, 03:51:36 PM
MT110  are about right, reasonable priced repros about, be prepared to pay up to around £250 for a good original one.

The good thing about the 110 is that you can fit the later larger lens into them and LED stop/tail set ups and still be correct for the period if that matters.

Back in the early 1980s I found a cache of new old stock 110s and sold them for about a £5 each and though I was doing well; majority were snapped up by Roy Richards for his museum, so they'll have all melted.

Then the Domi-racer bloke bought one and started to repro them.

If I had held onto them I could have bought a flat tank 'beam by now. :-\

Hang onto whats left of that lamp, you never know.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 04, 2018, 05:39:18 PM
Hi kbryt! I already wondered if I get a reply at all...  :-\

From a list at Draganfly I learned that MT211 are later lamps. So, I already ordered a MT110 at Peter Long of Cornucopia Enterprise in Germany for 105 Euro made by himself. I am eager to see if the price reflects its quality. No MT110 from Roy Richards. There is a LED tail light at Matchless Clueless which I will also order. But first I need to design a new lamp bracket. And yes, I will keep the tail lamp casing.

Thanks and cheers, Thomas
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on July 04, 2018, 06:54:41 PM
105€ for an item sold on ebay under £30? I hope its a good one.

No need to pay money to Matchless clue less either, a few quid off ebay  or one of the other specialist here.
Are you actually in UK ?

These MT110  and similar lamps were mounted into a hole in the number plate, I'll  try and get some pics for you on here before the weekend.

Mount anything off to the side you'll lose it as you found out.

afterword, had a look at Pete Longs one[I have know him for over 40 years, he's OK ] and it looks far better quality that the ebay ones, BUT you cannot fit a stop facility to it LED or not,whereas the cheap ones you can
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 04, 2018, 07:53:55 PM
Well, when seeing Peter's history I simply believe him about his quality stuff. Let's see. But I just sent an email asking if I can apply a two filament bulb or LED (important information). Would be important for me. I know that these lamps are placed in a number plate hole. However, I have a very large German licence plate. As soon as I have it in my hand I'll make up my mind. Pics are very welcome.
Cheers, Thomas
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on July 04, 2018, 07:56:43 PM
I doubt very much this has a facility for a double filament. or Led.

There are better LED bulbs to had than the Singapore ones.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 04, 2018, 07:59:28 PM
Let's wait for his answer.  :)
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on July 04, 2018, 08:04:41 PM
Indeed, but the clue is at the back, one wire entry,as per original. Mind you, Pete can be full of surprises.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 04, 2018, 08:09:58 PM
Here is his lamp: http://www.cornucopia-enterprises.de/spares_lucas.html It seems to be fine.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on July 04, 2018, 08:17:45 PM
Yes, like I said only room for one wire which goes in through that chrome nut, and likely only a single filament bulb holder. I suppose if you fitted an offset holder for a twin filament bulb you could use two thin cables.

Either way you can't get a safe illumination out that lens, and here its illegal that size.

Unless you are a real stickler for originality these are the lamp to use, stop/tail and legal lens.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Motorcycle-Replica-Lucas-477-1-Rear-Light-Lamp-/331063952808

also worth reading http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffyleds.htm
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 04, 2018, 08:21:39 PM
I am cinfused! What about this?
https://matchlessclueless.com/store/classic-leds/lucas-mt110-mt480-led-bulb-6v/.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on July 04, 2018, 08:23:39 PM
I'd rather not comment on that supplier.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 04, 2018, 08:35:49 PM
Ok! But assuming Matchless Clueless is right I would presume that Peter Long's lamp can be supplied with a double filament bulb or a LED. Anyway, he will tell me. I'll keep you informed. Thanks again and cheers, Thomas
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 05, 2018, 11:05:57 AM
Hi, I just called Cornucopia. Peter Long confirmes that both options are offered for his lamps, single AND double filament. Even LED is possible.
Cheers, Thomas
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on July 05, 2018, 09:34:43 PM
Neat, problem solved, now all you need is a big hole in the number plate!

I am assuming you are in Germany? If so will the small lens conform to your laws seeing as how they seem to be so much stricter than ours?
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 06, 2018, 07:16:28 AM
Yes, I'm in Cologne! I do not expect any problem with the lens because it's not smaller than my old one (which passed the MOT test). My greater problem will be the hole in the number plate. I have a griddle covering the entire holder. So, I would need to drill through the number plate. Need to ask first, if that's legal... From my experience the technical requirements are similar to those in the UK but not the administrative stuff. They are difficult (see the griddle  :o).
Cheers, Thomas
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: VicYouel on July 06, 2018, 10:58:06 AM
This supplier (who attends one or two UK auto jumbles) http://www.vintage-replica.cz/indexE.htm  makes by far the best replica rear lamp with stop lamp as well if required..... even engraved with the Luca stuff.

Our Sunbeam shop still hasa few rear number plates for sale that have a cut out and screw holes for the MTT lamp.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 06, 2018, 11:15:32 AM
You mean this, Vic? http://marston-sunbeam.org/sunbeam_shop16/index.php?id_product=332&controller=product&id_lang=3
There are no measures available. By eye the plate is 230mm wide. That means my huge plate of 220mm width plus the light won't match as they don't  doesn't for my present holder. I need to ask if I am allowed to drill a hole into the number plate.  :P

The MT110 from Peter Long is only 10 Euro more and also has the engraved Lucas letters. But thanks for this link.
Cheers, Thomas
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on July 06, 2018, 06:21:10 PM
where have all the other posts on this thread gone?
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: VicYouel on July 06, 2018, 09:28:17 PM
Ken I can still see them.....curious?
Vic
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on July 06, 2018, 10:23:03 PM
There are two thread pages.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on July 06, 2018, 10:31:51 PM
Oh dear........... its been a long hot day ::) ::) :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on August 04, 2018, 04:00:41 PM
Hi all! After Cornucopia sent a MT11 replica my locksmith made a respective bracket. I think it is a reasonable replacement for the old light.
Cheers, Thomas
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on August 04, 2018, 08:41:00 PM
Looks like  a neat job, just watch out for vibration stress, vibrations always seem to concentrate at the rear end of the bike.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on August 04, 2018, 08:52:44 PM
Yes, that's why I applied Loctide to all the screws.  :)
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: kbryt on August 04, 2018, 08:55:47 PM
Not just the screws to worry about the bends are the weak spot.
Title: Re: Original tail light?
Post by: Thomas on August 04, 2018, 10:11:16 PM
I don't expect any trouble here. The original light bracket had the same material thickness and was fine for more than 80 years. If it really breaks I will report here.  ;D