500T lighting kit

I think you're right about original fitment, although I understand some used a Lucas Wader.

Given the awkwardness of removing / fitting the mag, I would see a magdyno as the obvious solution although this would not be ideal.

It wouldn't surprise me if people just fitted bobby-dodger pushbike lights in the day.

Always liked the 500T. When I was campaigning a trials Bullet in pre-65 events in the 1990s, one of the other club members had a Norton and it was a lovely machine.

problems, yes ! went out today, managed 1/2 mile, running very rich still.

pushed it back home, went out on the enfield.

You could fit a total loss system .... with the led bulbs you could get about 8hrs, thatâs the avenue Iâm looking at. Remember if you fit head lights youâll need a working brake light.

I had a new 1952 500T it came with a BTH mag I trialed it for a year or so and thought I was in heaven but being the only wheels I had and other commitments I fitted a sidecar and bought a trials James, results went down after that. I used a magdyno and fitted normal lighting etc. I don't think it would be practical to trial one with that set up Bryon

My 500T has lights, they were fitted in the early 60s when it was used for long distance trials. It had a Miller headlight from some pre-war bike fitted on Tickle brackets and a magdyno with the battery fitted in the sidecar. I have fitted all 12V LED lights and have refitted the original BTH TT mag. When I started the bike after fitting the BTH the tickover was noticeably faster, presumably from a stronger spark at low revs! I have removed the Miller headlight and fitted a cheap repro. Lucas 7" unit. I can get a full day and more headlight use out of a 7Ah sealed battery if using the sidecar or several hours from a 2Ah if solo. The 2Ah battery is just cable tied and taped to a rear mudguard stay. The headlamp is on a plug/socket so that I can remove it when riding in a trial where I expect to roll the outfit!

As far as I know a lighting kit with QD headlight was offered for the 500T but I have never seen any details of it. Does anyone have a brochure or advert listing it? I think that Lucas did make a wader magdyno so would guess at this being supplied in the kit.

Rod

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Previously Dan Field wrote:

You could fit a total loss system .... with the led bulbs you could get about 8hrs, thatâs the avenue Iâm looking at. Remember if you fit head lights youâll need a working brake light.

Dan, Pre 1936 OR if you can prove (Eg: a manual circuit diagram) the original vehicle didn't have a stop light then you don't have to have one. That debate was cleared up on here some time ago.

However, if retro fitting of lights might change that, I don't know?

In Cyril Ayton's books "A-Z Guide to British motorcycles" and "Postwar British motorcycles" there are photographs of off and nearside, respectively, of a 500T fitted with lighting equipment. These appear to be factory photographs. The magdyno and headlamp brackets are clearly visible but I can't make out the brake light switch!

Rod

Previously Neil Wyatt wrote:

Previously Dan Field wrote:

You could fit a total loss system .... with the led bulbs you could get about 8hrs, thatâs the avenue Iâm looking at. Remember if you fit head lights youâll need a working brake light.

Dan, Pre 1936 OR if you can prove (Eg: a manual circuit diagram) the original vehicle didn't have a stop light then you don't have to have one. That debate was cleared up on here some time ago.

However, if retro fitting of lights might change that, I don't know?

The mot manual is pretty clear

https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/m1s01000301.htm

But best to be safe in my book!

That is pretty clear, thanks Dan, as no 500Ts were built before 1936!

Hmmmmmmmmm But is a stop lamp specified when there is not even a tail light? Ever heard of a day time MOT?

My only question was to ask if the retro fitting of lights made a difference to the rules? Other than the rule: If it is fitted it must be working.

One would take from that: No stop light switch and a single filament bulb.

My 37 spec 16H has no stop light or switch and none is specified in the manual and there never was an MOT issue. And never will be now!

Hi Neil, yes I have heard of a day light mot, although being pedantic they ceased to exist a few years ago, now a vehicle either passes or fails the test with provisions in the regs for vehicles which have no lights, as my trials ES2 is in that category ( it has to have a horn).

The regs are clear that as soon as you fit lights then they have to comply with the The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, schedule 1. As far as I can see that stipulates that a bike manufactured after 1936 and fitted with front and rear position lights must have a stop light. Iâm happy for someone to point me in the direction of the exemption but I canât see it.

dan

According to the latest MoT testers' manual,

"This inspection applies to: all machines, except those which have neither front nor rear position lamps, or has such lamps permanently disconnected , painted over or masked"

The term "this inspection" applying to stop lamps.

Therefore it's clear if you don't have lights you don't need a stop lamp.

Previously ian_soady wrote:

According to the latest MoT testers' manual,

"This inspection applies to: all machines, except those which have neither front nor rear position lamps, or has such lamps permanently disconnected , painted over or masked"

The term "this inspection" applying to stop lamps.

Therefore it's clear if you don't have lights you don't need a stop lamp.

Ian, thatâsabsolutely right, no lights, means no lights! But the question was whether when you have lights fitted you also have a stop light, the answer is yes as far as I can see but am happy to be proved wrong.

Previously Dan Field wrote:

Previously ian_soady wrote:

According to the latest MoT testers' manual,

"This inspection applies to: all machines, except those which have neither front nor rear position lamps, or has such lamps permanently disconnected , painted over or masked"

The term "this inspection" applying to stop lamps.

Therefore it's clear if you don't have lights you don't need a stop lamp.

Ian, thatâsabsolutely right, no lights, means no lights! But the question was whether when you have lights fitted you also have a stop light, the answer is yes as far as I can see but am happy to be proved wrong.

Yes, as I read it unless the bike is exempt through age, power output etc, it needs a stop light if it has "position lights".

Skip, glad that I could help. The tool box sounds a good place for the battery; hope yours comes with a tool box as they were unique to the 500T and mine is missing. You won't need to carry tools as it is a Norton SINGLE! The 500T makes a lovely road bike as it is so light. I just fit a bigger engine sprocket for road events and use it solo. Takes about half an hour to change from trials outfit to road solo. Let us know if you get the bike: I am particularly interested to know what the lighting kit consists of in the way of h/lamp brackets and the multi pin plug/socket.

Rod

I would like to know what this plug / socket connector is like, and if they can be bought today

Paul

Previously rod_thompson wrote:

My 500T has lights.... The headlamp is on a plug/socket so that I can remove it when riding in a trial where I expect to roll the outfit!

Rod

Paul, I just used a modern 6 pin connector from my local auto electrical supplier, who also does mail order:http://www.iem-services.co.uk/ShowDetails.asp?id=514I guess that the original may have been an 8 pin Octal connector as these were used on contemporary electronics equipment.Rod

Studying the pictures at the bottom of page H9 the two connectors mentioned in the previous post have Norton......T handwritten next to them.

Rod