MGTC Headlamps conversion

[jddevel]

Having had my TC headlamp bowls re-chromed I was faced with the dilemma of what to do about the reflectors and a choice between re-silvering or chroming. Whilst pondering this -disaster I broke a lens-TWICE - Arrrrg. Anyway this led to a discovery. The 8 inch sealed bowl from the early BSA, AJS and other british bikes fits inside the existing bowl. (UK eBay item number:144112368329). Add to that a P36D BPF fitting and you not only can convert to LEDs but the additional reflector hole allows for either a driving light addition or just close over. I used a 4mm corded sponge rubber gasket to seal the lamp once assembled. Cost per lamp under £50 (excluding the LED bulbs-God they are expensive!!!)

[frenchblatter]

JD, not sure if it's relevant but the replacement lenses on the market are a lot thicker than the originals.

[Steve Simmons]

Interesting find! While not totally correct looking, it isn't bad. At least it has the cat's eye shape in the center. Post a photo if you install a set!

As a side note, Chrome isn't the best choice for headlamp reflectors. It reflects significantly less light than silver or aluminum.

[jddevel]

See picture. One headlamp assembled but not yet wired up. Other showing reflector with LED main lamp holder adapter and pilot light hole filled with holder which I intend adding a LED to to see whether when installed (sometime to go yet) it will serve as a daytime running light. Apart from missing the Lucas word which my original lenses didn`t have anyway (1948 imported from US)

[Duncan M]

Speaking of headlight conversions, here is the adaptor ring that can be used to run standard 7" sealed beam units in a standard 8" TC headlamp bucket. Surprising that AbingdonSpares would publish such erroneous info. Of course, EXU's did not come with 8 inch buckets and 7 inch sealed beams. They did come with 7 inch buckets and 7 inch semi-sealed beams. Or, did EARLY EXU's use the adaptor ring and 8 inch buckets? Would be news to me. In an EXU, the semi-sealed unit can be replaced with a standard tungsten or halogen or LED sealed beam unit with (only) modification to the wiring.
https://abingdonspares.com/products/sea ... ter-rim-tc.

[Steve Simmons]

You know, I've heard people say that some EXU's came with reducer rings. But I'm not sure if that's the case or not. I had a huge pile of those reducer rings at one time. Gave away a few pair, sold a couple of the mint ones, and then the rest went to Doug Pelton as I recall.

TC6110 is here undergoing some work to become roadworthy again, and it has 7" tripods in reducer rims. Normally I have reducers but these are really striking. That said, they will be replaced with stock glass and reflectors soon.

Now if anyone has a need for 9" to 7" reducers, please let me know. Been trying to get rid of those for years!