I'm looking for a period headlight dip/horn switch to fit to a 1950 B33. Can anyone recommend a suitable source as many on the web are too modern looking?
Cheers
Hi,
If you google 'classic horn/dip switch' quite a selection come up that look quite suitable.
Dave.
Thanks Dave. There are a couple that would do the job but was wondering what the original would have looked like. At the mo it has a broken 'ClearHooters' switch, but don't know whether that was an original fitting.
Look in the handbook in the member's area of the club website; there might be an illustration of the handlebar control layout that will give you a clue.
For my 1953 M33 there's a separate horn and dip switch. I'll going to go for that because it seems to be the only way to get the horn and dip switch where I can reach them, with my hands on the grips. The combined switch I have now is too big to fit next to all the control lever brackets.
The best picture I've seen is in Haycraft's 'Book of the BSA' where there's a diagram of the magdyno controls but doesn't show the dip switch. Quote: All controls are very neatly disposed and designed for convenience and precision of operation. The controls on my B33 have, lets say, evolved into a bit of a mishmash, so I think I'm going to have to start from scratch. If anyone would like to share a photo of their setup including valve lifter and ignition lever, it'd be good to see other ideas.
I use a Britex Twisgrip with horn button on all my BSAs they came out in 1953. They were an aftermarket accessory.
Do you know if they're still available? They would save a lot of handlebar clutter.
Unfortunately not. They come up on ebay from time to time. I have bought all mine from autojumbles. They come with or without horn pushes and 7/8" or 1". I usually pay around £25 for them. The beauty of them is that you don't have to take your hand off the grip to dip the lights.
Hi,
This image came from a 1946-1955 instruction manual:
Best wishes...
Mine is as the drawing above - dip on left handlebar (Lucas 31549) and horn push on the right handlebar (chrome finish, not sure on the model). Memory says the dip switch at least mounts onto the clutch lever, the horn push maybe mounts on the brake lever but I can't remember. Mine is a '53 B31
You will find comprehensive details of Lucas applications, part numbers and some illustrations in the Lucas Equipment and Spare parts for motor Cycle catalogue 1936-1957. Around 200 pages and worth looking. You can see a copy on the Brightsparks Magnetos website;
http://brightsparkmagnetos.com/library/Parts%20lists/index.htm
A lot of Lucas stuff on this New Zealand site including the Lucas 1958-62 catalogue, which is about 100 pages.
http://bsa-info.nz/other-brands/
These sites are free access.
Julian S, thanks for these links.
Yes, thanks. Very helpful.