I was told many years ago that the switch/ammeter/speedo panel was sealed with the same type of beading that went around the chrome trims on the contemporary fuel tanks, but it looks much too chunky to me, also some period road test pictures show the headlamp panels with no trim at all, if this is how they were, what kept the water out?
Obviously this design cannot have been a roaring success given the brevity of its use and replacement with the type of one-piece shell that BMW, for instance, had been using since well before the War.
I always assumed that it was done because the U39 switch needed a flat base and once the alternator type engine came in and the PRS8 and 41SA switches came into use needing a much smaller hole, they could do it that way and save a couple of bob.
So can somebody please tell me for sure how it should be?
1956/57 separate panel headlamp shell
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Gas Mask headlight
Niall,
I've taken off the "gas mask" panel on my headlight and there is no seal. It fits quite tightly onto the shell, so probably doesn't need a seal. You could always use some clear silicon to make a seal.
Philip
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I have had one of these on my 56 99 for over 30 years, with no seal at all on the panel joint and never had a problem. I have used the bike summer and winter at various times. I don't know for sure, but I think that the design was a variation on the old style headlamp, which was universally used from the thirties and had a separate panel for the switch and ammeter, but without the speedo mounting. As you say the one piece shell for 57 was better probably cheaper to produce, but not quite as easy for maintenance.
regards
Andrew Sharp