The VintageBike Message Board > The Classic Biker Bar
Brake light
rtw:
Anyone got any idea how or what switch would have been on the Excelsior 1950 model! I am clueless to where it would have been mou ted and what it may have looked like?
R:
Since this is before rear brake lights were required by law (?), this is a somewhat murky subject.
And some Villiers powered beasties had near minimal electrics, so brake lights required quite some cobbling (by owners) to actually give them such luxuries.
What make of electrics does your bike have - Miller ?
And does it have a battery ?
What does the parts list for your bike show - anything ?
The period wiring diagrams sometimes show dotted lines for the brake switch wiring.
And the rear lamp may need some upgrading to have a brake light function.
This is the style of switch you sometime see on this era of bikes (this one a replica)
It usually sits on a little metal plate, and anchored by any conveniently located bolt nearby.
The spring attaches to the brake rod, usually by a little clamp
Other brake light switches are available, quite a variety in fact, its just a matter of obtaining something and figuring out where to attach it so it reliably lights up and retracts.
I'll find a pic of one on a bike, although it may not suit your setup.
Rear lamps for bicycles, with LED technology possibly can be adapted - they use battery power, which can be conveniently switched on/off for more limited road use. And require no vehicle electrics, just a suitable switch.
Hopethishelps.
R:
Maybe this pic will be helpful.
Note there is a strap around the back of the frame tube, straight onto the switch.
(and I don't know why so little paint is in evidence !)
http://matchlessclueless.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/R0033094-small.jpg
33d6:
R is quite correct and very helpful. Villiers only provided two lighting circuits for their 1950 offerings regardless of what make of bike their engine was fitted to. First was a very simple lighting circuit connected directly to the lighting coils where the amount of light given out rose and fell with the engine revs. No battery present, no brake light shown on the circuit diagram and little chance of fitting anything effective. This is the lighting circuit many prefer as it's so simple but basically not worth a cracker.
The second circuit included an early crude half wave rectifier and battery which provided a steady light that does not rise and fall with engine revs. On this circuit diagram Villiers included a dotted line from the battery to the tail light showing how a brake light could be fitted if the owner so desired. As it runs directly from the battery it operates regardless, independent of lights on or off. Villiers did not provide either a brake light switch nor a stop/tail light. That was entirely up to either the maker of the bike or the owner so anything period is okay.
Given the monumental advances in electronics since then it is very easy to improve on the original with little effort. That doesn't mean you get brilliant lights. The originals are dismal, with improvements they will be about average. Don't ask me how I know.
Cheers,
vintage_keith:
Just a comment on R's mention of the use of cycle rear LED lights..........I went down this route a couple of months back, as I wanted a rear brake light for a veteran (no electrics).
I went down to the local cycle accessory outlet, chose one with quite a large illuminated area and came home ready to work wonders.
I fitted a universal brake light switch low down, clamped the spring onto the dummy belt rim brake rod, and wired back to the picnic hamper I have on the rear carrier. I took the batteries out of the new light, and soldered wires to each internal terminal, drilled a hole in the body, brought the wires out and then sealed up the body. I then placed a remote battery pack with on/off switch in the picnic hamper and connected all up. The LED light has 3 modes, so chose the permanent illumination mode and left LED switch in this position. Adjusted until brake switch brought light on, and off as anticipated.
Imagine my surprise when I went out for a run and it stopped working - it turns out the LED circuitry has something that prevents this type of use! Anything more than 2 1/2 minutes gap between presses of the brake pedal, and it stops working! Dismount from the bike, press the LED switch 3 or 4 times to get back to square 1, and it becomes functional again.
I contacted the importers AND the Japanese manufacturers, both were totally unhelpful.
At that point I gave up!
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