I have just bought back the 1956 Dommie 99 that I previously owned in my teenage years (1959) While sorting through the box of bits I came across the headlamp, beautifully powder coated but holding a concave lens. My first thought was that someone had put it in the wrong way round, further examination showed that it was indeed the right way round and I am totally puzzled. Excuse the pun but can anyone throw any light on this unusual component?
The lens carries the trademark: CIBIE.
Thanks and best regards, Ron.
Cibie are French lens manu…
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Those Cibie headlamps are…
Those Cibie headlamps are good. I wish I had one.
Paul
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Previously howard_robinson…
Previously howard_robinson wrote:
Cibie are French lens manufacturers who used to specialise in bright lighting for 'all-night rallying' on four wheels. In the sixties they were available for bikes from various after market tuning shops such as Dunstalls, Ian Kennedy , Chuck etc presumably thinking that as the bikes could go faster by fitting all manner of accessories then any serious riders would want to see further in the dark. The concave lens gives a flat focussed beam and the bulb fitting allowed a selection of high-power bulbs. These were much superior to the period offerings from Jo Lucas, Miller and Wipac that still relied on the dual filament small bayonet cap (SBC) bulbs. Most of the Cibie ( pronounced See Be Eh ) lens sets did not have a pilot bulb. One I have has a pilot bulb that glimmers through a small window in the metal holder of the bulb. Many of the 24 hour Endurance teams use these lamps to this day. Cheers , Howard
Thank you for your informative and fascinating insight to my "unusual" accessory. Not sure that I like it but time will tell. Thanks again. Ron
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Cibie are French lens manufacturers who used to specialise in bright lighting for 'all-night rallying' on four wheels. In the sixties they were available for bikes from various after market tuning shops such as Dunstalls, Ian Kennedy , Chuck etc presumably thinking that as the bikes could go faster by fitting all manner of accessories then any serious riders would want to see further in the dark. The concave lens gives a flat focussed beam and the bulb fitting allowed a selection of high-power bulbs. These were much superior to the period offerings from Jo Lucas, Miller and Wipac that still relied on the dual filament small bayonet cap (SBC) bulbs. Most of the Cibie ( pronounced See Be Eh ) lens sets did not have a pilot bulb. One I have has a pilot bulb that glimmers through a small window in the metal holder of the bulb. Many of the 24 hour Endurance teams use these lamps to this day. Cheers , Howard