7" Lucas Cats Eye Headlights

[Doug Pelton]

Greetings, Does anyone have a source for 7" Lucas Cats Eye semi sealed beam headlamp. I am told they were used on some of the British bikes. Thanks, Doug Pelton Mesa, AZ

[LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com]

Dear Doug; You might consider 7" tribar lights available from Bill Tracy in Sarasota, Florida. they are selling for around $100 a set. Absolutely first class. His number is;941 924-9523 or fax #: 941 923 -9616. Bill Tracy from time to time has these on Ebay Tally Ho! Thom Collins [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jim and Shirley Mink]

It should be noted that many TCs imported into the US had the head lights converted to sealed beams before they could be sold. My state (Pa.) required sealed beam units until just a few years ago. Pa. also out lawed head light covers ie, VW, Jag E Type etc. Pa. also did not permit a single driving or fog light. They enforced these requirements with a "safety" inspection every six months. Jim

[Bob Grunau]

Hi Jim, That explains why there are so many cut down headlight rims available for TCs to allow 7" sealed beams to be used in 8" TC lights. EXUs excluded of course. Now where did all the old 8" reflectors and headlight rims go? Garbage? Bob Grunau It should be noted that many TCs imported into the US had the head lights converted to sealed beams before they could be sold. My state (Pa.) required sealed beam units until just a few years ago. Pa. also out lawed head light covers ie, VW, Jag E Type etc. Pa. also did not permit a single driving or fog light. They enforced these requirements with a "safety" inspection every six months. Jim

[Jim and Shirley Mink]

Bob, I wish I knew where all the old lens went! My recollection is that the cars frequently arrived with out lens/reflectors. Jim

[Narfman96 - Narfland Studio]

While in this vein, I need a pair of 8" rims for the "horseshoe" lenses - if anyone has a pair they can sell, please contact me offline. Thanks, Tom

----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Grunau" grunau.garage@sympatico.ca> To: "Jim and Shirley Mink" mink@chilitech.com>; "Doug Pelton" DougPelton@cox.net> Cc: "mg-tabc" mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 11:48 AM Subject: RE: [mg-tabc] 7" Lucas Cats Eye Headlights > > Hi Jim, > That explains why there are so many cut down headlight rims available for > TCs to allow 7" sealed beams to be used in 8" TC lights. EXUs excluded of > course. Now where did all the old 8" reflectors and headlight rims go? > Garbage? > Bob Grunau > > > It should be noted that many TCs imported into the US had the head lights > converted to sealed beams before they could be sold. My state (Pa.) > required sealed beam units until just a few years ago. Pa. also out lawed > head light covers ie, VW, Jag E Type etc. Pa. also did not permit a > single > driving or fog light. They enforced these requirements with a "safety" > inspection every six months. Jim > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[Bob Grunau]

Tom, I also would like to find some flat headlight lens rims for the TC. Can you re-roll domed lens rims to suit the flat lens? Or does anybody sell new chromed flat lens rims? Thanks, Bob Bob Grunau 150 Pinewood Trail, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5G-2L1 905-274-4136 While in this vein, I need a pair of 8" rims for the "horseshoe" lenses - if anyone has a pair they can sell, please contact me offline. Thanks, Tom

> Hi Jim, > That explains why there are so many cut down headlight rims available for > TCs to allow 7" sealed beams to be used in 8" TC lights. EXUs excluded of > course. Now where did all the old 8" reflectors and headlight rims go? > Garbage? > Bob Grunau > > > It should be noted that many TCs imported into the US had the head lights > converted to sealed beams before they could be sold. My state (Pa.) > required sealed beam units until just a few years ago. Pa. also out lawed > head light covers ie, VW, Jag E Type etc. Pa. also did not permit a > single > driving or fog light. They enforced these requirements with a "safety" > inspection every six months. Jim

[joecurto@aol.com]

I believe that the British lighting laws were also responsible for the 7 inch conversions, years ago I actually acquired and sold that sort of stuff, you cannot believe how many combinations of rims and lenses there are, I recommend always buying in matched pairs, as you will regret not doing so, there are many different shape, colors, quality of patterns as well as different aperture openings of those lenses . As for Bobs rhetorical question as to where they all would up I would agree in the tip or at Beaulieu 20 years ago. Joe Curto [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Stephen D Stierman]

When I started the restoration of TC 2911, one thing I wanted to do was to replace the sealed beams and reducers with the proper 8" lamps. They just look right on a TC. I thought about some of the re-pro tripods, but my reducer rims needed plating anyway so I just decided to convert back. The rims are available from Holden Spares and sometimes on ebay. I managed to also find a couple of lenses, one on ebay and one from a member of our list. The reflectors are another matter, pricey, beat up and all need either expensive plating or re-silvering depending upon your inclination. I found an alternative, (purists close your eyes now) Model A Ford re-pro chrome over brass reflectors are available reasonably from the various vintage Ford folks. Trim off the flat edge of the reflector and they drop right into TC rims and are held by the TC spring clips. They come in one bulb or two bulb varieties and you can even buy halogen kits if you like. I chose to go with a traditional bulbs and sockets from one of the Brit bulb suppliers and all looks pretty good. The car is far from together, but hooking the lamp up to a battery, they throw a pretty nice beam on the wall and they do look right. cheers, Steve Stierman TC 2911

[1939mgtb]

Australian company does halogens to go with..... Best, Ray "My brain hurts!" "It will have to come out."

----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen D Stierman" morgan7709@sbcglobal.net> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:49 PM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] 7" Lucas Cats Eye Headlights > > When I started the restoration of TC 2911, one thing I > wanted to do was to replace the sealed beams and > reducers with the proper 8" lamps. They just look > right on a TC. I thought about some of the re-pro > tripods, but my reducer rims needed plating anyway so > I just decided to convert back. The rims are > available from Holden Spares and sometimes on ebay. I > managed to also find a couple of lenses, one on ebay > and one from a member of our list. The reflectors are > another matter, pricey, beat up and all need either > expensive plating or re-silvering depending upon your > inclination. I found an alternative, (purists close > your eyes now) Model A Ford re-pro chrome over brass > reflectors are available reasonably from the various > vintage Ford folks. Trim off the flat edge of the > reflector and they drop right into TC rims and are > held by the TC spring clips. They come in one bulb or > two bulb varieties and you can even buy halogen kits > if you like. I chose to go with a traditional bulbs > and sockets from one of the Brit bulb suppliers and > all looks pretty good. The car is far from together, > but hooking the lamp up to a battery, they throw a > pretty nice beam on the wall and they do look right. > cheers, > Steve Stierman TC 2911 > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >