Are they carbide lamps?? If so basically you need calcium carbide which is generally put in the bottom chamber. Water goes in the top chamber. Water then drips on to the carbide and produces acetylene gas.There should be some device which can adjust/control the rate of water drip. You then just light the lamp as you would a gas lamp. Plenty of info on the web and you can buy the calcium carbide. That might be the water/carbide container under the saddle and it might have a hose running to the headlamp?? Here's a link http://www.douglasmotorcycles.net/index.php?topic=2966.0 You'll have to do some research about quantities/size etc but this should start you off? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CALCIUM-C...875069?hash=item282a54893d:g:z6oAAOSwu4BVmr7K
Ooh, thats nice. I have absolutely no idea with out getting my hands on it, but it might be worth while trying to get in touch with one of the old boys as seen in the Classic Bike magazines. It's a shame old Len Onslow isn't still around, I'd have popped round and shown him and asked his advice for you. If it is carbide lamps, I think I would look at doing a dynamo conversion on them, mainly because when the calcium runs out you have no lights at all. Do you still have the plate for the front?
its not mine its owned by a friend of mine, but we are a bit apprehensive about getting the lights going, will study the info you gave us let you kn ow how things go if its not on the news you will know all went well
Who do you know?! My friends only have old russian and german bikes! Tried changing the relay if you cant find the relay the bike is junk so you can just give it to me... What is it a very early triumph?
I think it's a lucas carbide setup. When you still had to MOT them the lamp was only considered decorative so wasn't tested. I shouldn't think you would be out at night anyway but if you want emergency lighting clip on modern bicycle LED lights would be enough for bad weather to warn others you are there. You should get app 2.5-3 hrs duration on one filling of carbide to 1 refill of water. I assume years ago they used to carry some spare if travelling a long way at night. I wouldn't convert them. They are a lot brighter than equivilent electric lamps of the time and you can warm your hands on them lol They were used in mines so not that dangerous.
