Hitchcocks Forum

Hello, Has anyone fitted the 1950s headlamp in the catalogue to the 500 with ac lighting? Just wondering which wires go where on the lucas copy headlamp switch. Thanks Richard

Hello DICKIE--------- now that's a good question !!... I'm in the process of re-building my No2 Bullet into a 1950's Army Despatch Rider's bike complete with a 7" headlamp and that Lucas switch------So that's now TWO of us who'd like some help re}---- wiring up the AC part of the headlamp !!......................... Hang-on, brain cell activating, the earlier Bullets had that rotary switch in the nacelle as standard....All we need to do is check-out the relevant wiring diagram.........

Can open, Worms all over the floor……

Where's your ignition switch at present? Just asking..

Alar, will you be using the army lucas light switch, with the extra position of tail light only for convoys (RS39) ?

Or maybe the other one with test, tail, and headlamp positions?




Both very unusual now!

Oops! forgot link to pics and stuff on Norton WD website.



Lucas switchgear



A Scalyback posting

Thanks for the replies. The switch I have is just off low and high and I want to have the old type handle bar switch for dipping headlights. None of the lights were wired up on my bullet as it was being used as a trials bike. I thought it may as have lights if its going on the road but wanted to keep the bike looking all 1950s. I will look for the earlier wiring diagrams. Ta Dickie

Hi Dickie, I have done a number of these conversions but I do it as I go along without a wiring diagram and it is a bit hard to describe, just one wire at a time but I always set them up DC headlight

Hello Norm, thanks for the reply. When you say you always set them up DC headlight do you mean you're not using the direct ac feed wires from the alternator via the little ac regulator or you are setting the wires as they would be from a dc set up? Just to check things I have the alternator with the ac wires yellow and amber with the amber going to the headlamp and the yellow to the handlebar switch on the wiring diagram. I was wondering how these wires would be going to the old stryle switch on the 50s headlight. Thanks Dickie.

Hi Dickie,
It gets very complex trying to use the A/C circuit and you haven't stated what year of bike because that determines what switchgear you have and if you pull that apart you will see a lot of wires and depending on the model the wiring is different and switched from opposite sides of the handelbard and you will see there is no way you can get all those wires to work in the old bakelite switch. Unless you have your head really around wiring and how it works I would say don't do it because it will end in tears