Introduction to rewiring the dynamo and regulator The Lucas dynamo-regulator charging system; simple and yet also strangely complicated for anyone more familiar with modern vehicles electrics (or not familiar with vehicle electrics at all!). The main point of this article is to provide a simple and easy to follow wiring diagram should you need to …
My bike has been off the road for the last month or so whilst the Lucas ‘N1’ magneto and ‘E3NL’ dynamo were back in the UK being reconditioned. The magneto had started to fail intermittently a few weeks before and then lost it’s spark completely, and the output from the dynamo seemed to be flickering …
Introduction to repolarising a Lucas dynamo Repolarising a dynamo (sometimes also referred to as ‘flashing’ or ‘remagnetising’) is a way to ‘wake up’ generators that may not have been used for a long time, been incorrectly wired up in the past or are not producing any volts for some other reason. This guide describes how …
Introduction to testing a Lucas dynamo This guide to testing a Lucas dynamo is based upon my experiences with my 1951 Matchless G3LS, although the same principles should apply to other Matchless and AJS bikes (and indeed to other bikes and cars of the same era which also use the Lucas dynamo charging system). The …
A modern 6 volt halogen headlamp bulb in the traditional British Pre-Focus (BPF) fitment used on the majority of classic motorcycles and some cars. The bulb fitment is also sometimes known as the P36D / P36T or P22D style and was widely used in the Lucas P700 7″ round headlamp units. It is dual filament with a 25W low beam and 25W high beam.
Introduction to selecting a replacement battery The existing Exide motorcycle battery I have installed on my Matchless G3LS doesn’t seem to be holding charge as well as it did, so I figured it was about time I replaced it with something that looked a little more in keeping with the rest of the bike. I …
A new electronic battery voltage and charging current meter specially designed for classic motorcycles with dynamo or alternator charging systems, providing the rider with an at-a-glance overview of battery and charging conditions.
Self-calibrating for both 6v or 12v motorcycles wired either positive or negative earth. Easy installation with only four wires to connect.
Specially designed for a perfect fit inside a Lucas 564 rear lamp unit, this 6v LED array features tail, brake and numberplate illumination using an array of super-bright wide-angle red and white LEDs. This kit includes the LED board and everything you need to install it into your existing rear light unit.
Introduction to the advantages of LED lights There are many advantages to ‘Light Emitting Diodes’ (LEDs for short) over conventional filament type bulbs. The big improvements made over the last few years in their production and brightness, mean that they are now replacing filament lamps, fluorescent tubes and cold cathodes in countless lighting applications. They …
A selection of electrical ‘how to’ guides Welcome to my electrical ‘how to’ guide section of this website. I’ve put these guides together based upon various jobs that I’ve needed to do over the past few months on my Matchless G3Ls and what I’ve been able to pick up from various owners manuals, service guides …