Wassel / Lucas

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XTINCT

XTINCT

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I heard a rumor today that Wassel has purchased the rights to the Lucas name for the next 3 years. Sooooo, Lucas stators and rotors will most likely be from China. Anyone else heard this? I also heard that Wassel has the Hepolite name too.
 
I didn't look through the similar threads, but it looks like this happened in 2014 (not sure of anything more recent); here is the info from the Wassel site:

http://www.totalbikebits.com/wassell_history.html

1960's and 1970's. Wassell is focused on high levels of customer service and long term product development. The Company is committed to investment in new tooling and technology, which enables us to meet our customer's requirements.

In 2011, the Company acquired the Hepolite brand, trademark and goodwill from the Federal Mogul Group. Originally Hepolite was a brand name of Hepworth & Grandage, who later merged with Wellworthy Pistons Ltd, to form A E Piston Products Ltd.

In 2014, Wassell acquired the licence for the Lucas brand from Lucas Industries Limited, for Classic Motorcycle parts. In conjunction with Lucas, an extensive product development programme for Classic Motorcycle parts was initiated, to once again, establish Lucas as a market leader within the industry. Further information is available at www.lucasclassicmotorcycle.com
 
Sadly, the Wassell stator of recent times was actually better quality than the Lucas one they introduced - the name on the box sells it seems despite the quality drop. I also suspect that no one at Wassell ever compared them side by side.
 
the Wassell stator of recent times is the new Lucas product why would anyone spend 20 years selling and developing a product to then replace it ?
looks the same performs the same and more units are sold than any other brand
 
Be careful of Lucas products - some are very good, some not. For instance, I bought some headlight indicators, unbranded, from Wassell that were very good, inexpensive, and came with bulbs. On my next order, those were out of stock so I paid 3 times as much for the Lucas version. They were crap - crooked lenses and more importantly the contact inside was bad and the bulbs would barely stay in, and they came without bulbs. I complained and was told to throw them away and I got credit. Then the first ones were back in stock so I ordered a bunch at the original price - they came boxed as Lucas. They were usable, but not the quality of the first ones I bought and they were supplied without bulbs. It's clear that on this one part, Wassell is trying to get it right but the manufacturer they are using is no good.
 
The Wassell stator was sold side by side with the Lucas boxed product by them for a while, they were not the same product, and are still not the same. Try fitting the new 3 phase Lucas stator to a MK3 - it does not fit, the old wassell one did.
The Lucas single phase stators I have seen arrive lately are better, though still not quite there on quality, but getting better.
Strangely, an indicator lens with LAP on it sold in a clear bag with no box, it seems that the public will not want it, put in a Lucas box and it will sell, it's the same item!
 
By the way, LAP, Lucas, what's the difference? Or should that be, what's the connection? A week or two ago I had to get a replacement indicator as the internal lugs for the screws had finally given up, and the lens had always been cracked and let in rainwater, the replacement was advertised as genuine Lucas but is marked as LAP. I'll admit that I'd rather it were marked as Lucas, but I'm not really fussed as it looks right and does the job, just curious.
 
I've never had to replace either a stator or rotor in 45 years of owning Nortons. When and if that day comes what is the recommendation? NOS or a Wassell?
 
The LAP stuff is made on the original tooling in the UK, their alternators are still available from some retailers like TMS but no longer called Lucas, whereas the Wassell made in China version is. Welcome to the world of trademarks and brands.
 
Great stuff, thanks both. 'Made in China' would explain why the Lucas-packaged replacement handlebar switchgear dip/main lever that I bought earlier this year needed drilling out to make it accept the spring and ball properly; but, while the more recently fitted LAP indicator looks right and does the job, even that needed gentle persuasion to fit on the stem. In effect, I used the end of the stem as a kind of awl as I worked the indicator onto it. Granted, the stem is a stainless replacement from RGM (I live near the sea), but the ancient original indicator was a nice fit. I'd measure the difference but I cba, now it's all buttoned up. Anyway thanks again for the info.
 
L A P electrical and Lucas all the same ?????????????

L A P was established in the late 1990`s by some ex empoloyees of Lucas , the name LAP has no connection to current Lucas production and no mention of Lucas Automotive Products on the LAP website just LAP electrical

Lucas Automotive Products has been fabricated by those looking to up sell LAP parts

LAP indicatorS and lenses are available and marked LAP ( these are more expensive than Lucas ) but green box lUCAS Lenses / indicators are marked with correct Lucas branding
 
Why would a retail company sell a LAP product, bought from LAP prior to the big re-introduction of Lucas and say it was Lucas Automotive Parts. Trading standards would have a heyday, it seems to have gone quiet since Lucas got back in the scene, could be the US owners are flexing their muscle with LAP or have a deal. As for up selling, the parts are made by ex-employees no doubt on old Lucas tooling and patterns that they bought out all those years ago. I would not be surprised if LAP even make some stuff for Lucas that is found in the green boxes.

The price difference could be that Wassell get them made in a larger quantity, and in a country of their choosing, they are known to use far eastern manufacture and will openly admit it.
 
simple a retail company would sell LAP as Lucas Automotive parts to generate more revenue by up selling parts , Uk trading standards have no teeth and will not persue small vendors
so they get away with it , unless the owners of the trademark Lucas decide to make an example and persue a vendor themselves .
LAP may still have the old Lucas tooling but I DOUBT IT IS THE ORIGINAL that old chestnut keeps rearing its head 40-50 year old tooling wears out and all the new items are branded LAP not Lucas
so must be from new tooling LAP electricals current business is mostly emergency lighting / led work lights etc , to function in a competetive market against other UK companys i would dare bet a large percentage of thier product range is produced in China and possiblly the new LAP branded tooling for indicators ( does it actually say LAP made in england ) or just LAP ?
if you made tooling in England you would not leave off your USP Made in England
 
According to what I understood Lucas sold licenses in http://www.lucas-service.in IN INDIAN also WASSEL MADE IN CHINA :mad:
Personally I favor MADE LUCAS in England (L.A.P ?) as it is marked on rotors-stators and on their boxes.
 
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Madnorton said:
The Wassell stator was sold side by side with the Lucas boxed product by them for a while, they were not the same product, and are still not the same. Try fitting the new 3 phase Lucas stator to a MK3 - it does not fit, the old wassell one did.
The Lucas single phase stators I have seen arrive lately are better, though still not quite there on quality, but getting better.
Strangely, an indicator lens with LAP on it sold in a clear bag with no box, it seems that the public will not want it, put in a Lucas box and it will sell, it's the same item!
Click to expand...

I installed a Lucas marked 3 phase stator in a MKIII this spring with no problem. What part of it didn't fit?
 
LAP made rotors and stators indicators no longer are marked Lucas but LAP ( they have had thier knuckles wrapped by Lucas )
but some dealers are still activley selling them as Genuine Lucas made in england

LAP Made in England is still a grey area are parts they actually sell marked LAP made in england on the mouldings ??? if no then ask yourself why when thier USP is UK manufactured

UK manufactured Lucas product sold by Wassell is clearly marked Lucas Made in England
 
Frankie17 write :

"UK manufactured Lucas product sold by Wassell is clearly marked Lucas Made in England"

MAYBE BUT WHY IT IS NOT MARK(BRAND) ON THEIR ROTOR AND STATOR
 
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