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Messages - grahamkeen1

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1
British Bikes / Re: BSA B40 Headlamp Bulb.
« on: November 13, 2017, 06:43:05 PM »
Sorted thank you all.

I found a small side issue whilst doing this.

I thought the light switch was a little temperamental and needed a tap now and then to turn on. What I found was whoever had fitted the new sealed beam unit, had also fitted a rubber damp-proof cover over the bulb. This was quite deep and when the sealed unit was fitted, tried to push the plug from the switch off the pins ! Currently fitted without the rubber cover.

I now need to try and find a not-quite-so-bulky cover.

Thanks,
Graham.

2
British Bikes / Re: BSA B40 Headlamp Bulb.
« on: November 09, 2017, 10:45:30 AM »
Thanks for that, I'll have a good trace through later.

On my B40, the dip switch is combined with the horn push.

The dip switch is on the left hand side of the handlebars and the actual switch can be pushed down to the left so parallel to the bars and pointing to the left side of the bike whilst the other position is pointing upright after a push to the right. Is there a convention as to which is usually dip or main so I can put the spade connectors back to suit.

It is quite surprising how little difference there appears to be between the 35/35W and 55/60W bulbs in terms of perceived brightness

I also have another wire coming from the light switch that has been terminated - however that's an investigation for another day. :(

Thanks,
Graham.

3
British Bikes / Re: BSA B40 Headlamp Bulb.
« on: November 08, 2017, 08:48:32 PM »
Now we are beginning to sort out the problems. Again looking at the plug diagram above and assuming you are behind it, looking forward with the headlight beam, I found that :
  • The Common/earth had indeed be connected to the central spade.
  • The main beam was connected to the left hand spade.
  • The dip beam was connected to the right hand spade.
So completely messed up wiring. To cap it all, one of the connectors from the old harness to the style connector fell apart  :(. More to report soon !

My Haynes manual has one wiring diagram for 1958-66 B40s but none of the colour codes seem to match the old wires that come from the dip switch or even the earth wire. I also have BSA service sheet 808 that seems to agree with the Haynes manual but not my bike! Has anyone got a B40 diagram from a different source that might help me.

BTW, the new sealed beam unit (not fitted by me) is a real pain as it is a very tight fit in to headlamp housing and tends to push the light switch connector off the switch !

Regards,
Graham.

4
British Bikes / Re: BSA B40 Headlamp Bulb.
« on: November 06, 2017, 09:20:05 PM »
Ok,

So now I am puzzled ???.

I've read the manual and it appears that the Headlamp unit has been changed and now sports one that has a three spade terminal style bulb like a car rather than the original style of bulb, which I believe is a push and twist old style bulb.

The bulb that came with the bike was a Lucas 35/35W bulb. When you turn the headlights on, one filament lights on dip (dim glow) and when you switch to main, both filaments come on and you get a reasonably bright light.

The bulb I ordered was a 60/55W version (Lucas LLB472). When I fit that, on dip I get one filament lit but it isn't really any brighter that the 35/35W bulb. On main beam, only the second filament lights but gives a bright light.

From the workshop manual diagram, I can't see any resistors that would pull down the 55W dip beam to a 35W sort of output. I guess the main on both is ok due to the fact that on the 35/35W bulb I get two filaments on main c/f with one on the 60/55W version.

Any thoughts, suggestions as what is going on !

Thanks, Graham.

5
British Bikes / Re: Bantam Owners in Runcorn.
« on: October 27, 2017, 02:50:06 PM »
Nick,
Did you ever find them ?
Regards,
Graham.

6
British Bikes / Re: BSA B40 Headlamp Bulb.
« on: October 25, 2017, 12:56:37 PM »
All,
I'll get one ordered.
The 35/35 does indeed seem to have both filaments on for main and only one filament for dip.
I'm more interested in being seen than using them to see :)

As an add-on question for those with a B40, does your side/parking light stay on when you switch your headlight bulb on as per cars or does it turn off, so really just a parking light ? Mine turns off, so just wondered if this is standard behaviour or whether I have a faulty switch ?

Thank you again,
Graham.

7
British Bikes / BSA B40 Headlamp Bulb.
« on: October 24, 2017, 09:25:43 PM »
Hi,
My 1966 B40 has been converted to 12V but still runs a 35/35W headlamp bulb which doesn't illuminated very much.
Has anyone used the higher powered 60/55W versions ? Just wondered if there was a problem with the power being drawn and perhaps 'warming' the wiring harness.
Thanks,
Graham.

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