Lucas History

They had a shocking reputation by the 1979s down here in New Zealand. Basically no spares available and definitely helped the Japanese take over bike sales in NZ.
 
I have never had any problems with Lucas electrics except for a Lucas EI giving up the ghost back in the late 70s and I owned an old mini in my younger days and the Norton for over 49 years now, maybe I been lucky that my old Norton likes me lol, but like things do wear out so things like ALT and rotas do get old.
 
My 1950 ES 2 has a Lucas Magdyno. When I bought it some years ago ( 20 years approximation) the Magdyno worked but I thought it best to have it gone through by Doug Wood . He said in his opinion it had never been opened up by anyone- original and untouched and still operating.
In discussion with him his comment ( in 2005 or so ) on Lucas quality was
“ How many 1950 Chevrolets still have there original generators still operating? “
 
OK. You want examples of the way Lucas performed in NZ in the 1960s and 1970s. My own personal experience.

AJS and Matchless bikes with magnetos, generators and voltage control units. Generator armatures . Not available. Voltage control units. Units and parts not available. Magnetos. Dead because the condensers were gone. No repair options available. Replacement at enormous price. No ignition switches or light switches available.

Norton Commandos in the 1970s. Rotors exploding. Stators failing.

Honestly. That company was a disgrace.
 
Many people do not know what industrial chemists do in engineering factories. Most engineers do not seem to know much chemistry, yet still specify polymers for use in assemblies. I suggest many of the problems which are experienced with Lucas products are due to ageing of the polymers which insulate components. A new Lucas Wader magneto is usually excellent on a motorcycle which is not more than 10 years old. The Lucas SR type of magneto is excellent at any age. When the capacitor is within the windings of an armature, it is subject to vibration. As polymers age, they often harden more. Lucas designs were probably always very good, but might have been used with a presumption that the internal insulation would remain stable.
 
johnm said:
OK. You want examples of the way Lucas performed in NZ in the 1960s and 1970s. My own personal experience.

AJS and Matchless bikes with magnetos, generators and voltage control units. Generator armatures . Not available. Voltage control units. Units and parts not available. Magnetos. Dead because the condensers were gone. No repair options available. Replacement at enormous price. No ignition switches or light switches available.

Norton Commandos in the 1970s. Rotors exploding. Stators failing.

Honestly. That company was a disgrace.
Click to expand...
I would certainly be a minority if I touted Lucas products as top quality. I have long been of the opinion that generalities would not exist if they did not have some basis . My post was only to illustrate that they did have the capability to produce some good stuff.
 
johnm said:
OK. You want examples of the way Lucas performed in NZ in the 1960s and 1970s. My own personal experience.

AJS and Matchless bikes with magnetos, generators and voltage control units. Generator armatures . Not available. Voltage control units. Units and parts not available. Magnetos. Dead because the condensers were gone. No repair options available. Replacement at enormous price. No ignition switches or light switches available.

Norton Commandos in the 1970s. Rotors exploding. Stators failing.

Honestly. That company was a disgrace.
Click to expand...
They were limited by what the motorcycle manufacturers would pay for any item , the products were built down to a price not to a quality.
 
Richard Tool said:
I would certainly be a minority if I touted Lucas products as top quality. I have long been of the opinion that generalities would not exist if they did not have some basis . My post was only to illustrate that they did have the capability to produce some good stuff.
Click to expand...
It's very interesting to read Rod Coleman's autobiography. He was an AJS works rider in the 1950s and won the 1954 TT on an AJS 7R three valve. His family owned a big bike shop in Whanganui New Zealand and latter became Suzuki importer including car assembly plants. He sponsored Pat Hennan for years.

Anyway he spends some time describing Lucas magnetos in his book and lists a number of races where the magneto failed. Especially on the AJS porcupine twin. He makes a very strong case that AJS (and he) would have won World titles had the Lucas mags not kept failing during the races.

But the Italian bikes were also using Lucas mags. And not failing. Using investigation he discovered the Italian factories were running special Lucas mags with improved quality.

But those mags cost more and AJS were not prepared to pay the increased price.

It was clear from the text he did not feel very happy about that decision.
 
My bikes, since my youth, were 1965-1976 BSA Tri Norton RE. Not one had a stator or rotor failure. What did fail was the zener. Last autumn failed to return home when the 'Lucas' ammeter simply melted. I was convinced it was the original zener failing but after Greg sent me a few good used zeners and I replaced the ammeter no problems commenced.
So over all I really cannot complain about the Prince of Darkness. I do understand about 'cost over quality' approach of the bike companies and that the current 'Lucas' is just a name.
 
Onder said:
My bikes, since my youth, were 1965-1976 BSA Tri Norton RE. Not one had a stator or rotor failure. What did fail was the zener. Last autumn failed to return home when the 'Lucas' ammeter simply melted. I was convinced it was the original zener failing but after Greg sent me a few good used zeners and I replaced the ammeter no problems commenced.
So over all I really cannot complain about the Prince of Darkness. I do understand about 'cost over quality' approach of the bike companies and that the current 'Lucas' is just a name.
Click to expand...
...and the cost of replacement smoke!
 
johnm said:
It's very interesting to read Rod Coleman's autobiography. He was an AJS works rider in the 1950s and won the 1954 TT on an AJS 7R three valve. His family owned a big bike shop in Whanganui New Zealand and latter became Suzuki importer including car assembly plants. He sponsored Pat Hennan for years.

Anyway he spends some time describing Lucas magnetos in his book and lists a number of races where the magneto failed. Especially on the AJS porcupine twin. He makes a very strong case that AJS (and he) would have won World titles had the Lucas mags not kept failing during the races.

But the Italian bikes were also using Lucas mags. And not failing. Using investigation he discovered the Italian factories were running special Lucas mags with improved quality.

But those mags cost more and AJS were not prepared to pay the increased price.

It was clear from the text he did not feel very happy about that decision.
Click to expand...
The magnetos on Manx Nortons were usually of the rotating magnet type. A capacitor connected to a magneto by a wire, looks daggie on a road bike.
 


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