Original LUCAS headlight

markdenny

markdenny

Joined
Dec 13, 2023
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Good Afternoon

Has anybody got any pictures of an original LUCAS headlight for a 1976 Commando, I've seen images of headlights and they all seem to have a different Lucas design in the centre.

Regards

Mark
 
markdenny said:
Have you got any pictures then of a genuine UK MK 3 headlight ?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately not. The headlamp on my Mk3 (below) is unlikely to be the original as it takes a P45t bulb instead of a 463 unless the parts book is wrong although the UK bulb in the parts diagram is the 463 type and not the P43t that AN sells which suits their current Wipac headlamp.

Original LUCAS headlight
Original LUCAS headlight
 
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marshg246 said:
the BPF version is no longer listed. WW50201 is and has been out of stock for quite a while. WW50209 is not found at all.
Click to expand...


marshg246 said:
They no longer call the ones they sell flat-dip and they have removed the term center-dip as well. They now say: "New production 700 Light Unit with Lucas 553796 lens."
Click to expand...


www.classicfasteners.com.au

Genuine Lucas 7" BPF Headlamp Beam Unit without pilot aperture (553921)

Supplier of nuts, bolts, screws. Specialising in obsolete threads types, automotive and stainless fasteners.
www.classicfasteners.com.au www.classicfasteners.com.au
"Genuine Lucas Classic 7" BPF Headlamp Beam Unit without pilot aperture.
New production 700 Light Unit with Lucas 553796 lens. Marked for Right Hand drive vehicles"

rexs-speedshop.com

Lucas 700 Headlamp 516812 | 7″ BPF

Genuine Lucas classic 700 series reflector lens unit with pilot aperture.7″ headlamp, BPF bulb fitting
rexs-speedshop.com rexs-speedshop.com
"Genuine Lucas classic 700 series reflector lens unit with pilot aperture.
New production 700 unit with Lucas 553796 type lens.
7″ headlamp, BPF fitting"

www.altecautomotive.co.uk

Lucas 26570083 7\" Headlamp RHD ALT/WW50201-1-82-ZZ4

ALT/WW50201-1-82-ZZ4 Lucas 26570083 7 " Headlamp RHD Genuine Lucas Classic 7" Headlamp Beam Unit with pilot aperture. Right Hand Drive
www.altecautomotive.co.uk www.altecautomotive.co.uk
 
Here's a motorcyle 370 BPF bulb on the left and a car BPF (414) on the right which can sometimes be found in motorcycle headlamps or sold as a 370 even though it's the wrong bulb.

Original LUCAS headlight
 
I recently dropped and Broke an original 72 Lucas globe.
And yes, it totally P$%%&^ me off.

What's this got to do with this thread?
Absolutley nothing.
Oh well, back to my Guiness.....
 
I assume they would be the same headlight as fitted to Triumph T140 and T160 but when searching I'm coming up with all sorts of different looks to the LUCAS logo on the lens. I'm specifically looking for a UK MK3. It is possible that, what was fitted to the administration bikes was what ever they had left lying around in the factory or whatever they could get their hands on ? My bike is registered as a late 1976 bike.
 
More than possible it was fitted with whatever was to hand, a late 76 was made under the receivership who wanted to convert stock into bikes and sell them. Lucas would have been a creditor and owed money so if short of Lucas parts they would have to buy indirect ie through a spare parts outfit using cash.
 
markdenny said:
I assume they would be the same headlight as fitted to Triumph T140 and T160 but when searching I'm coming up with all sorts of different looks to the LUCAS logo on the lens.
Click to expand...

The T160 had a BPF flat dip headlamp suitable for both LH and RH drive markets with a 370 bulb except Europe which had a RH dip unit and 410* bulb. T140 of the same age appears to have the same UK BPF spec with a 370 bulb.

*France at that time was still using yellow headlights so I assume French bikes had a 411.
andover-norton.co.uk

Andover Norton - H/L BULB (YELLOW) 12V45/40W (411) - 06.8020

H/L BULB (YELLOW) 12V45/40W (411)
andover-norton.co.uk
 
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I have made contact with BEAULIEU MOTOR MUSEUM they have an untouched 1975 Commando Interstate and have kindly sent me some images of the factory fitted headlight. Just above the LUCAS logo that's in a rectangle is a HALOGEN logo to the left as you look at it it has the numbers 700 in a vertical line, on the right side E11 in a circle below that it reads Y317 and to the right of that are 8 numbers in a vertical line but I cannot read them. I have also contacted the guy who purchased a museum bike a 29 miles only 1975 Commando roadster (whom I bought the original black cap exhaust from) to see what his headlight was like, he to furnished me with some images his only has the LUCAS logo in a rectangle, below that it has 700 headlamp below that it reads MADE IN ENGLAND to the left as you look at the front it reads SAE MR 71on the right it has 8 numbers in a vertical line reading 5457246? So I'm none the wiser it would appear that the bikes are fitted with what was available at the time. 🤷‍♀️
 
I doubt a 75 would have an E marked headlight,

Before April 1, 1986: Vehicles were not required to have E-marked headlamps.
On or after April 1, 1986: Vehicles are required to use E-marked headlights.

Maybe Lucas were ahead of the requirement but 11 years ahead ?
 

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