Forum

[Gaz]

Did the Model C come with lights as standard or were they an optional extra. Seen one with no lights or any electrical stuff in the frame..
Thanks.

[Mark M]

By the 1930s most bikes came with lights as standard but there were options as to how they were powered. These options might include Lucas equipment (considered best,) Miller equipment (cheaper) and sometimes separate magneto and dynamo or all-in-one options of various hideous cheapness! The usual reason for 30s bikes (and earlier,) not having lights these days is restorers not being arsed to go to the expense of fitting hard to find originals and if they aren't fitted MOT rules say they aren't needed. Add to that most bikes of this age aren't used after dark and don't legally need brake lights, so, no lights fitted.

REgards, Mark

[Gaz]

I suppose with no electrical equipment passing an mot is much easier, and, as you say, a restoration is much cheaper. This one I saw was in fully restored condition. You'd have thought that given the effort and cost of the restoration they'd have put lights on.

[Mark M]

Certainly that's what I'd do but I suspect that if it is a professional restoration the restorer will probably point out (fairly) that the customer can save a lot of dosh by leaving off what is nowadays an optional extra. You could even argue that in the 30s the "fast set" also used to leave the lights off to reinforce their Brooklands racer cred! Another factor is that if you're building two 1930s bikes you'd put the extras on the more expensive one. It's worth noting that in auctions the buying public do notice cost cutting measures like this and bid accordingly.

REgards, Mark

[simon]

I'm surprised Miller were cheaper as they were standard equipment on some of the more prestigious brands. Velocette springs to mind. A friend has a 1930's Panther 600 and that has an 8" Miller headlamp with a fluted glass lens and a big original Miller ammeter with the lighthouse logo and it really does set the bike off a treat. The amazing thing about the old English electrics from the 1920's on is the fact that a lot of it still works fine. He also has a 27 Norton 18 and the Magneto on that still has the original condenser which meggers up fine. A 90 years of age that is a quality product!

[Mark M]

Simon, Miller always a cheaper brand. Many "quality" manufacturers who fitted it were actually struggling financially for long periods and apart from keeping costs down they might have run out of credit with Lucas. Also, many manufacturers offered the option of Lucas or Miller fittings on the basis that if the customer wanted better let them pay for it. Panther were a perfect example, they really struggled in the 30s (not least due to a dispute with the Trade body that meant they could only sell bikes through non-participating Dealers like Pride and Clarke in London. Lucas made those beautiful headlamps too, but the Miller ones are actually made of thinner metal and much more fragile than the Lucas type which might explain the high price of survivors. Remember that there was an even cheaper alternative, Wico Pacy branded as Wipac!

REgards, Mark