Poor rear light

Hmm, strange. My somewhat older dommi 7 (1954) emits lot's of light in the back, especially now with a LED upgrade.

I have to ride my ES2 and the dommi in darkness at some point, as Denmark is a fickle bastard concerning weather and dark evenings.

My main concern is getting enough output from the dynamo's but I'll tune up the two girls during winter

I have to agree, David, with your comments about the early rear light not providing much light output. I have the later unit on my Mk III; I tried a LED upgrade but I was not satisfied with the amount of light when the brake light was on during the day.

You asked how many riders used their machines at night. I rode to our branch evening on the 13th and after about a mile in a rural area noticed that my rear light had failed. Fortunately, there is enough room within the later light unit to store a spare bulb and also a spare indicator bulb, both wrapped in bubble-wrap. I must have placed the spare parts in there about 15 years ago but when I needed them they were still working. What I didn't have was a small screwdriver to remove the lens to replace the bulbs - but as our meeting was at The Wharf Inn, Welford, the landlord had a good selection of suitable tools. I did have a torch, which proved useful.

Best wishes, Colin Cheney, Leicestershire.

I am not sure when it came in, but I have heard every rear Number plate has to have a rear reflector on them to pass the MOT test, I presume it has to be red, but who knows in these crazy times!

I have seen on the Web, Commando owners have replaced the box like rear light type 917, and fitted Lucas Type 679 rear light lens units, as fitted to many Triumphs and BSA's which have greater visibility from all angles; strangely, on smaller machines the Wipac Bantam type rear light had pretty good visibility at night too!

Obviously this will not affect MOT exempt machines, I think that's Motorcycles pre-1960, though this again is going to change in May 2018 through the new rules being applied in the UK!

I have seen many older Classic/Vintage machines, which did have a round rear reflector fitted, (Lucas/Wipac/? /fitment), but then the rear lights were not particularly readily visible.

However, there has also been issues with LED rear light conversions, only being brilliant when seen from a 90 degree or thereabouts angle from the rear, but less brilliant in view when seen from obtuse angles and some riders have been surprised by their LED rear lights, low visibility when viewed from side-on.

Some riders I know have converted back to incandescent bulbs, through LED visibility problems.

The problem for LED light is they are not easily focussed as such and though brighter, the light seems to diminish and disperse all over the place, and not hang around the point of origin, which to some extent you want it to do with a rear light application.

This completely contrasts with an incandescent bulb, which emits light that can be easily pushed outwards by the reflector and then focussed into a pattern of light by the rear lens, which hangs round the back of the machine and gives greater visibility from all angles, but less brightness..

Led light bars probably make a great additional "Stop light" feature.

Incidentally, it's the same with new headlights, for the first time I can remember in a vehicle purchase, my Mazda's projector lights are less useful at night, than my previous Honda Civic's halogen units, steps in technology, aren't always forwards in practical application!

Cheers

John H