Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - October 2008 - (Page 17)

MONTHLY FEATURES and an occasional freight train. Texas requires lights on all the time, so if the bike was on, so was the headlight. After this I arrived at a simple conclusion. With a healthy charging system-Lucas RM 21 alternator with a Sparx electronic regulator and good battery-the system easily handled the extra capacity. Of course, there are many bikes with far less charging capacity, and I’d have serious reservations running more watts than stock on a generator equipped bikes because generators make a whole lot less power at slow turns and not as much as an alternator when really spinning. As for conversions, the best option is to go for a halogen kit that replaces the stock reflector with a unit that accepts the H4 halogen bulb, a bulb that can be purchased off the shelf almost anywhere. Many Walneck's advertisers carry the conversion kit and usually pack a bulb with it. The advantage to this system is that you can easily carry an extra bulb. Another option, also shown here, is a sealed beam unit, again usually available at almost any auto parts store, and at about one-fourth the cost of a conversion unit. The drawback with this swap, however, is it isn’t practical to carry a spare, but if this isn’t a major concern, and it wasn’t for me for a long time, this is a very low buck fix that works quite well. You can even get a halogen bulb that fits the stock system, but then you have to contend with the issues often presented with a less-than-brilliantly designed bulb holder that is prone to failure. It’s always better to convert to the more modern and less troublesome three-prong unit that is also inexpensive and widely available. Both the sealed beam and halogen conversion reflector are mounted in the headlight rim like the stock Lucas reflector by using spring clips. These can be a pain in the neck if you haven’t fooled with them before. A needle nose pliers helps install the clips and I find it best to rest the headlight unit on my lap and work from a seated position as it gives better control and keeps the unit from rocking about as I work on the clips. Still, it’s really easy to launch one of the clips into oblivion, so be careful. If you do find charging issues after your conversion, do a complete check on the system, beginning with the alternator. Once you find the troublesome piece, replace it with a modern equivalent. If it’s a rectifier or diode, scrap both and go for a modern regulator, actually cheaper than stock replacement in most cases and superior in performance. While I readily admit to not being very bright, the same can’t be said for halogen lighting, a far better way to travel after the sun goes down on your old bike. MOTORCYCLE TIPS This is on from st e of the bulbs ock typ th e lightin at sparked-lit prompti erally an g. O ng d figura the bulb the use of exp f six I bought, tivel oxy to h fi was sho old the ve were loose y-my move aw rt lived Whoever glass in at ay and the makes th place as the base, one that at midn is junk show was ight in ought to front of be sente n’t loose didn’t n here. Still, a crack nced to last any house. a major electric longer. al failure New co nnector is instal led into headlig ht buck et . Sealed bea a separat m unit is instal le e terminal H4 bulb. be ca d in bucket. If re y as is po ssible o ful the holding ou’re installing clip aw n ay from a conver the piece some headligh clip ends don’t si t units. short ou on unit with so that Th t it does not mak e fix in this ca on a switch se is to e conta ct. bend th e WALNECKS.COM I WALNECK’S CLASSIC CYCLE TRADER® | October 2008 17 http://WALNECKS.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - October 2008

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - October 2008 Contents American The Buzz w/Buzz Walneck Motorcycle Tips w/Mike Brown Bench Racing w/Mark Zimmerman 1915 Cyclone Sold for 520,000 Doublemint Whizzer Grab Yore "Trusty" 45 and Head for the WOODS! …. Events Listings & Advertisements British Mid-Ohio Review Biker of the Month J Wood Mid-Ohio Auction Results European 1963 Parilla 125 Wildcat Test 1970 Ducati Desmo 250, 350 & 450 Singles 1955 NSU 250 Max Japanese My Day With a PWK Motorbikes & Scooters Antique Cycle Clubs Parts, Accessories, Want Ads How to Place a Word Ad Area Code Directory How to Subscribe How to Place a Photo Ad

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - October 2008

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