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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: twowings on January 11, 2018, 11:36:03 AM

Title: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: twowings on January 11, 2018, 11:36:03 AM
Wish I'd had these a couple of times... :grin:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/cB2esR/Lucas_Test_Card_1_970x685.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cB2esR)


https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/08/01/lucas-test-cards/?refer=news (https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/08/01/lucas-test-cards/?refer=news)
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on January 11, 2018, 12:10:36 PM
Lucas actually made some good stuff, I cut my teeth on it as an apprentice.
I don't remember having too much trouble getting a generator to work and the starters were dead simple.

Strangely enough my 72 Eldorado has a Lucas starter with the solenoid underneath instead of on top like a Bosch
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: guzzisteve on January 11, 2018, 01:12:53 PM
80's smallblocks had Lucas starters.
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Rich A on January 11, 2018, 01:15:07 PM
The headlight switch for my MGB had three positions: dim, flicker, and off.

Rich A
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: normzone on January 11, 2018, 01:21:45 PM
I worked on an MGB GT that belonged to a buddy of mine - the battery had a positive ground, and you pulled the engine to change the clutch.
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: 73eldorado on January 11, 2018, 01:57:57 PM
My 73Eldorado has a Bosch starter with the solenoid under it also.
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Sheepdog on January 11, 2018, 05:12:53 PM
I found a Lucas Tee-Shirt a few years ago. It was only available in black...
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: D Knaus on January 11, 2018, 08:39:18 PM
I have a t-shirt that says "Lucas quality electric lighting sets" - "Prince of Darkness".

and it has a quote from Joseph Lucas (1834-1903) : A Gentleman does not motor about after dark." 
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Tom H on January 11, 2018, 11:30:45 PM
LMAO!!!! Can't help it when someone brings up Lucas, the Prince of Darkness.

For a moment from the title of the thread, I thought it was Ozzy! Maybe because I'm watching a Sabbath documentary.

Bosh for Loops should have the solenoid down so that it would clear the 4 speed clutch cable mount.

Dim, flicker, off....Only available in black!!!! snicker, snicker LMAO!!

Tom
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Pop on January 12, 2018, 08:30:37 AM
Had my small block starter motor checked out 2xs . Would just get a click sound intermittently. Finally checked it myself to detect the location of the sound. 5 min. With a mechanics sretescope and found the plastic end cap on the Lucas starter had prongs to hold in place. They had distorted and would not allow the plunger to engage.  Boy, that was a really expensive " easy fix"
Pop
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JJ on January 12, 2018, 08:37:43 AM
A few years ago at the Vegas vintage motorcycle auctions, some vendor was selling those "Prince of Darkness" T-shirts and I regret not buying one! :laugh: :grin: :wink:  If I see one this year....I am going to buy it! :cool:

Quote from Joseph Lucas (1834-1903): "A Gentleman does not motor about after dark." 

Brilliant... :huh: :shocked: :wink: OK - Some of these are "bad"...but also funny!! :laugh: :grin: :wink:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/cPf2HR/Screen_Shot_2018_01_16_at_1_58_43_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/cPf2HR)


Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JoeKirby on January 12, 2018, 03:49:26 PM
I had a '62 Triumph TR4 and a '57 TR3 for a combined 25 years and the electric was great because it was unbelievably simply.  Never stranded for long.  These car didn't need much more than what was in those cards to get you on the road again.  Now, the electrics on my '78 Bonneville was a different story...
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Murray on January 12, 2018, 05:34:05 PM
Lucas actually made some good stuff, I cut my teeth on it as an apprentice.
I don't remember having too much trouble getting a generator to work and the starters were dead simple.

Strangely enough my 72 Eldorado has a Lucas starter with the solenoid underneath instead of on top like a Bosch

Its was more in combination with some of the dip!@#$ wiring solutions the British automotive industry used made them fairly crap when they got a few years on them. Prime example the Landrover 110 / Defender and sadly this is not what you'd call and old model and had a production run of over 30 years. You can put the power for the headlights through a relay like any other manufacturer that can breath and talk at the same time or you can put all that power through the switch/stalk. Works long enough to get out of warrantee 5 years down the track yep umm ha ha. Guzzi mainly in the Detasmo era weren't exactly immune to these ideas.

There is pages that can be written on positive earth.

Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Sheepdog on January 12, 2018, 06:06:30 PM
Lucas got the blame, but outdoor storage, heavy vibration, and modified wiring harnesses deserves the blame. Even the Asian-sourced Lucas components are pretty good. My '71 TR6R's wiring was a hot mess when I started getting in to it.

On the other hand, I'm glad I don't have to rely on a Lucas Zener Diode these days...
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Muzz on January 16, 2018, 03:03:32 AM
You used to be able to buy cans of Genuine Lucas Smoke.

Everyone knows that when the smoke leaks out of the wire it stops conducting electricity. Replace the smoke and, voila!
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: wrbix on January 16, 2018, 07:22:48 AM
A few years ago at the Vegas vintage motorcycle auctions, some vendor was selling those "Prince of Darkness" T-shirts and I regret not buying one! :laugh: :grin: :wink:  If I see one this year....I am going to buy it! :cool:

Quote from Joseph Lucas (1834-1903): "A Gentleman does not motor about after dark." 

Brilliant... :huh: :shocked: :wink:
I felt compelled to gift my BIL and FIL each with one of those shirts after they supplied an extension cord to hot wire the headlamps on my AH Sprite one dark and chilly night so Teresa and I could get home.
Think those shirts are still available at Moss or Victoria British....will check for you.
<edit/update...nope, don’t find them>
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JJ on January 16, 2018, 09:43:27 AM
I felt compelled to gift my BIL and FIL each with one of those shirts after they supplied an extension cord to hot wire the headlamps on my AH Sprite one dark and chilly night so Teresa and I could get home.
Think those shirts are still available at Moss or Victoria British....will check for you.
<edit/update...nope, don�t find them>

Thanks, and I will also check when I go to Vegas next week... :cool:
By the way, this is the last Meriden Triumph I owned, a "fully restored" 1970 T100C Trophy 500...should have kept that one!  It had all the correct Lucas bits...and if they are maintained and cared after...they are fine! :wink:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/imD5nR/DSC_0003.jpg) (http://ibb.co/imD5nR)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/mUDhZ6/DSC_0004.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mUDhZ6)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/fT62Z6/DSC_0005.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fT62Z6)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/k7Vwu6/IMG_9510.jpg) (http://ibb.co/k7Vwu6)

upload multiple pics (http://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Sheepdog on January 16, 2018, 09:47:14 AM
A beauty, JJ!
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Wayne Orwig on January 16, 2018, 09:48:33 AM


(http://thumb.ibb.co/cVVX1m/Lucas_Smoke.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cVVX1m)
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JJ on January 16, 2018, 09:53:21 AM
Poor Joseph Lucas...what a legacy... :laugh: :grin: :wink:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/kYUmSR/Screen_Shot_2018_01_16_at_8_51_23_AM.png) (http://ibb.co/kYUmSR)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/cDUmSR/Screen_Shot_2018_01_16_at_8_51_41_AM.png) (http://ibb.co/cDUmSR)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/jf3D7R/Screen_Shot_2018_01_16_at_8_52_08_AM.png) (http://ibb.co/jf3D7R)
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: trippah on January 16, 2018, 09:54:31 AM
Yes indeed, my 63 MGB had two 6 volt batteries in series I believe under the back bench, with positive ground.  The first time I stopped to give a friend a jump start, it took us over an  hour and several phone calls to figure out how to do it. :grin:
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Kiwi Dave on January 16, 2018, 12:10:19 PM
A few years ago at the Vegas vintage motorcycle auctions, some vendor was selling those "Prince of Darkness" T-shirts and I regret not buying one! :laugh: :grin: :wink:  If I see one this year....I am going to buy it! :cool:

Quote from Joseph Lucas (1834-1903): "A Gentleman does not motor about after dark." 

Brilliant... :huh: :shocked: :wink:

Me too.  I think it was at a national Guzzi rally in Grass Valley, Ca I saw the shirt.  It had a picture of the classic Lucas headlight switch with the three positions marked as "OFF, DIM, FLICKER"!

Why didn't I buy it?
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Sheepdog on January 16, 2018, 01:30:42 PM
Here is my Lucas tee...

(http://preview.ibb.co/ddusZ6/0_AEFCCF6_F563_48_DA_B646_3770_B36_DF2_C5.jpg) (http://ibb.co/eAURu6)

 I had a 1967 Morris Garage B-Model. I had lots of trouble with U-joints, carburetor synchronization, and throttle linkage. However, the electrics never let me down. It was pretty much the same with my ‘74 Commando...
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: wymple on January 16, 2018, 02:55:15 PM
I worked on an MGB GT that belonged to a buddy of mine - the battery had a positive ground, and you pulled the engine to change the clutch.

My nephew has a Triumph GT6 that was positive ground. We hung a GM alternator on it (I always use an early 70's Nova unit for simplicity) and we switched it to negative groundwith 12 volts. Everyone tried to warn me that the starter would spin backwards, but that is not true.
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JJ on January 16, 2018, 02:56:48 PM
On a more positive note, at least he is immortalized here...in his home town.


(http://thumb.ibb.co/cWShHR/Screen_Shot_2018_01_16_at_1_54_10_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/cWShHR)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/jnJdrm/Screen_Shot_2018_01_16_at_1_54_18_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/jnJdrm)


Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on January 16, 2018, 03:33:42 PM
  Everyone tried to warn me that the starter would spin backwards, but that is not true.
If it was a Valeo with permanent magnet fields it would have run backwards, something like a Bosch or Lucas with series fields doesn't care because they flip poles at the same time.
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: analog kid on January 16, 2018, 11:53:33 PM
My '71 TR6R's wiring was a hot mess when I started getting in to it.

I had a girlfriend who was a hot mess.
Her name wasn't Lucas though...
 :boozing:
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JJ on January 18, 2018, 06:27:15 AM
I had a girlfriend who was a hot mess.
Her name wasn't Lucas though...
 :boozing:

Perhaps her name was...."Flow?" (Meter) :laugh: :grin: :wink:
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: drbone641 on January 18, 2018, 07:41:36 AM
My 73 TR6 had her entire wiring harness replaced. I expect it to last...at least a couple more years.
 :rolleyes:



(http://thumb.ibb.co/kns6xR/90_E923_B4_835_F_4_F7_C_820_B_2969_EC46_DAF6.png) (http://ibb.co/kns6xR)
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Moto on January 18, 2018, 08:50:02 AM
You can find several shirts offered online by googling "lucas prince of darkness t shirt price".

I never had much trouble with Lucas electrics that wasn't owner-inflicted.

Moto
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JACoH on January 18, 2018, 11:20:27 AM
I worked at a Triumph dealer in the 60's; Lucas, as well as Amal, built to the price the manufacturers wanted to pay, so quality could have been a bit better. But the electrics were simple and easy to work on. I remember the old story about why the Brits drank warm beer, because Lucas made the refrigerators.
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JJ on January 18, 2018, 11:29:47 AM
I worked at a Triumph dealer in the 60's; Lucas, as well as Amal, built to the price the manufacturers wanted to pay, so quality could have been a bit better. But the electrics were simple and easy to work on. I remember the old story about why the Brits drank warm beer, because Lucas made the refrigerators.

That's a good one!! :laugh: :grin: :wink: :thumb:  Here are my favorites:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/cz4jj6/Screen_Shot_2018_01_18_at_10_28_37_AM.png) (http://ibb.co/cz4jj6)

best image hosting websites (http://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Muzz on January 18, 2018, 04:23:27 PM
I never had much trouble with Lucas electrics that wasn't owner-inflicted.
Moto

Having got sick of the hassles I was having with the gene on my '48 Matchless I went to Lucas and bought a brand new gene. Not even half way in to a 500 mile road trip and the generator  literally flew to bits. Disconnected the chain and completed the trip with only one ticket for riding without lights.

Took it back and said I wasn't happy. The guy behind the counter looked at it and launched in to a tirade on the damage someone else had done to it, "look at the mangled screws holding the fields in etc. etc." I then took out the receipt (about a week old) and he went real quiet. I asked him whether he would like to pay my ticket as well. :evil:

They repaired it and returned it with no comment.
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JJ on January 22, 2018, 04:02:54 PM
Here is my Lucas tee...

(http://preview.ibb.co/ddusZ6/0_AEFCCF6_F563_48_DA_B646_3770_B36_DF2_C5.jpg) (http://ibb.co/eAURu6)

 I had a 1967 Morris Garage B-Model. I had lots of trouble with U-joints, carburetor synchronization, and throttle linkage. However, the electrics never let me down. It was pretty much the same with my �74 Commando...

With all their known flaws and idiosyncrasies, who does'nt love a classic, vintage British sports car?!? :wink: - - like this beautiful 1967 MGB 5 speed, in British racing green? :thumb:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/hHCNTb/Screen_Shot_2018_01_22_at_2_59_13_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/hHCNTb)
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Sheepdog on January 22, 2018, 04:30:29 PM
Mine was identical, save the color (yellow). They feel wonderful right up until the front driveshaft fails and the interior’s hump starts to enlarge from the suddenly uncontrolled drive shaft...
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JJ on January 22, 2018, 04:40:53 PM
Mine was identical, save the color (yellow). They feel wonderful right up until the front driveshaft fails and the interior�s hump starts to enlarge from the suddenly uncontrolled drive shaft...

There you go Sheepdog...just for you today!! :thumb: :1: :cool:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/h9sTJb/Screen_Shot_2018_01_22_at_3_38_55_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/h9sTJb)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/dnJ2db/Screen_Shot_2018_01_22_at_3_39_03_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/dnJ2db)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/gKxZrw/Screen_Shot_2018_01_22_at_3_39_09_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/gKxZrw)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/cd1cBw/Screen_Shot_2018_01_22_at_3_39_18_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/cd1cBw)

upload photo link (http://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: Sheepdog on January 22, 2018, 05:24:16 PM
That’s it! I was the happiest 17 year old in America right up until the time I was t-boned by a Buick Electra 225...
Title: Re: Prince of Darkness Cards
Post by: JJ on January 22, 2018, 05:29:05 PM
That�s it! I was the happiest 17 year old in America right up until the time I was t-boned by a Buick Electra 225...

You are lucky you are still with us to tell the story!!! :laugh: :grin: :wink: 

"Hell Hath No Fury..like a large, all metal, 1967 Buick Electra 225 coming straight at you at ramming speed!!!"  :shocked: :huh: :rolleyes: :laugh: :grin: :wink:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/eG45Ww/Screen_Shot_2018_01_22_at_4_26_42_PM.png) (http://ibb.co/eG45Ww)