Lucas handlebar switch swap

Seldomseen

Seldomseen

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Feb 21, 2022
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Ive searched and searched for an answer and surely someone else has tried this!

Is it possible to insert the newer Sparks (internals) turn signal switch boards, wiring and controls into the older Lucas bodies?
 
Seldomseen said:
Ive searched and searched for an answer and surely someone else has tried this!

Is it possible to insert the newer Sparks (internals) turn signal switch boards, wiring and controls into the older Lucas bodies?
Click to expand...
Best guess is id think it possible as the shells are copies of Lucas, right? Might need some fettling of the board. But if you habe new sparx, why not just fit them as they are?
 
Seldomseen said:
Tornado
I'm restoring a 71 Hi Rider and trying to keep it as original as possible. I know that this statement brings up serious questions regarding my mental state but it is what it is.
Click to expand...
Yes, ive just thrown up a little bit having flashbacks of my HiRider....immediate emergency roadsterization got the patient able to be out and about in society 🤒
 
Tornado said:
Best guess is id think it possible as the shells are copies of Lucas, right? Might need some fettling of the board. But if you habe new sparx, why not just fit them as they are?
Click to expand...
They work but are visually different and obviously not original
 
You will be better off just finding a good set of Lucas switch clusters. I've seen new ones but for serious money.
However, I have also disassembled tired originals and revived but the screws are tiny and likely wasted as will
be the housings themselves. How Lucas made any money on them is a mystery as assembly is beyond fiddly.
Who were the line workers who could get these out the door quickly and correctly?
 
Onder said:
You will be better off just finding a good set of Lucas switch clusters. I've seen new ones but for serious money.
However, I have also disassembled tired originals and revived but the screws are tiny and likely wasted as will
be the housings themselves. How Lucas made any money on them is a mystery as assembly is beyond fiddly.
Who were the line workers who could get these out the door quickly and correctly?
Click to expand...
Hmmm.
Not sure electrics from that period were ever assembled correctly.
Maybe quickly...
 
I am pretty sure that the castings are the same, except for the Lucas logo. I recall years ago a friend who sorted a number of ratty Commandos would transplant the new guts in the old castings. According to him they fit right in with no hassle.
 
Seldomseen said:
Ive searched and searched for an answer and surely someone else has tried this!

Is it possible to insert the newer Sparks (internals) turn signal switch boards, wiring and controls into the older Lucas bodies?
Click to expand...
AFAIK, Sparx only makes one side today. All the internal components other than the board are readily available new. The board is almost always recoverable and often needs nothing more than cleaning. I find used complete on eBay all the time and restore them as long as some ass didn't cut the cable - the cable is not "findable", but can be made to look almost new.

BTW, Lucas stuff may be considered junk, but the console cables, after being 50+ years old can be returned to new/almost new looking and are still flexible - find me a modern cable you can say that about!
 
marshg246 said:
AFAIK, Sparx only makes one side today. All the internal components other than the board are readily available new. The board is almost always recoverable and often needs nothing more than cleaning. I find used complete on eBay all the time and restore them as long as some ass didn't cut the cable - the cable is not "findable", but can be made to look almost new.

BTW, Lucas stuff may be considered junk, but the console cables, after being 50+ years old can be returned to new/almost new looking and are still flexible - find me a modern cable you can say that about!
Click to expand...
Agree. It takes a little patience, but the old one are restorable unless damaged. Clean the cable with lacquer thinner, clean the contacts, polish the casings. Replace the plastic knobs if you must.
 
I find that the units usually fail because the lube dries out. Once that happens the blades snap off. There are blades made with a steel rod inside that will last forever. They are not cheap.
 

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