Villiers headlamp switch

[R]

Bit slow here, need something to git thungs movin agin ?

Anyone care to explain the Villiers headlamp switch ?
Waratah/Excelsior 125cc circa 1945

I thought it was a Miller, but new/replacement has a chrome ring around it.
And would be (slightly) too big to fit ??
What retains it - a large wire circlip ?

DIM/OFF/FULL
https://britcycle.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Miller-Headlamp-Switch.jpg

[cardan]

I'm only slow because I'm spending too much time in the shed doing a 50-year service on my recent acquisition... the clue is that it has more grease points that any bike I've ever encountered.

Leon

[R]

This headlamp is 5 1/2 ", and the switch hole is 1 3/4 "
Anyone know what (Miller ? ) switch this is likely to require. ?

Dunno Leon, tell us ....

[cardan]

Whiting V4 - just had it's first run around the block. Although I did ride it 25-odd years ago!

Leon

[R]

Hmmm, thats a fairly exotic beast !
And it does have a few suspension points that would require greasing.

Is there only the one and only ?

[cardan]

There's another survivor, powered by a 5hp JAP v twin, and with a Jardine gearbox. It's a nice original bike. This is the only one with Mr Whiting's own V4 engine, and his own 2-speed gearbox.

Leon

[R]

Haven't quite got to the bottom of this Miller switch business,  this is the switch I have

[Rex]

That old and no chewed screw heads. Can't have seen much use.

[R]

So super reliable.
Or never used at night.

The latter I think - those are the remains of the original rubber coated wiring loom.
And it was still running when I bought it off the original owner, so electrics were not of much concern.
Flywheel powered lighting no battery model ....

[33d6]

This is just to say I'm finding it near impossible to get on to this site. I thought it was my old computer which was having various painful bothers but I now have a new computer and if anything things are worse. I've had a real dance around to get on and much emphasis from my new electronic friend about the lack of security involved in getting on.
Does anyone know if Nigel is still supporting it? From the lack of traffic I don't think so.

As for your Villiers switch R I think expecting anything straightforward from any bike produced in the 1945-46 immediate post war period is being very hopeful. As far as I can make out bikes were built up with whatever material manufacturers could get their hands on. The Vic State engine number records show the early post war Excelsior all to be fitted with ex-WD engines. The post war engine numbers start several months later, presumably from a later shipment of bikes. What type of engine number is on your Waratah. Ex-WD AAA****A vertically on the back of the gearbox or post war style on the R/H side gearbox cover? And yes, Villiers seemed to have close links with Miller as they did with Albion but I don't know how formal these were. I've never managed to pin these associations down. Villiers, Miller and Albion have never been treated kindly by the British motorcycle fan base. They seem to find it hard to get beyond the Boring Big Three. C'est la vie.

[R]

Yes I guess I was hoping for half a miracle - someone with a Miller catalog who could identify that switch.
I have found though a (Villiers) wiring diagram which seems to cover it.
Inc the 4.5v flat pack dry cell inside the headlamp that powers the park light.
Now how often would anyone have used one of those recently, we ask ??
And do I need to keep that functionality ...

Aye, computers are becoming the black magic product, it would seem.
A while back, I was tasked with investigating a 'puter that 'installed itself' - in the Thai language. !!
Now that was not a howling success, we concluded.
Although for Thai customers it (probably) all made perfect sense.
Perhaps the "English or Thai choice/option" should have been clearer ?

[33d6]

Still driving me nuts getting in. Won’t accept my ‘forever’ login and makes me sign in twice but at least I’m here.
Given that the electrics of the 9D changed over its production run and that a specified rear tail lamp bulb for those electrics wasn’t being made post war and no one knew if it would be again things got a little strange at times. The best advice I’ve found for all these circumstances is in Brownings coverage of the 9D in the early editions of his ‘The Villiers engine’ published by Persons, (definitely not Pitmans).
On top of that you need to consider whether you go for either of the Villiers standard options. Direct lighting that only runs when the engine runs or basic rectified lighting with battery but barely practical nowadays or best of all go for broke with modern electronics. Villiers copes with that surprisingly easy.
Do a little more research before you pile in.

[R]

It didn't come with any sort of tail lamp - it was a farm bike all its working life, and that could have been 'dispensed with' long ago.

I've been gathering bits to give it a very basic 6v system.  Fed constant-loss type from a little 6v battery.
Will see how that goes,  if not completely original   Its very unlikely to do too many miles at night ?

[Rex]

Those little dry cell parking arrangements were no more than "work-arounds" for the odd parking regs in force in some parts of the UK. Some used to hang red and white parking lamps and even oil lamps on their car door handles at night.

I find this site the easiest of any to get on. No passwords needed. Click and go.