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Vintage motorcycle carbide acetylene rear lamp.
Joseph Lucas large size rear light powered by acetylene gas. Most of the Lucas, P&H, Miller rear lights for veteran and vintage motorcycles had bodies that were only 2-1/2″ in height. This one is larger. The body measures 3-3/4″ and would suit a larger capacity motorcycle.
These vintage motorcycle carbide acetylene rear lamps are rarely used as lit items today as most of us don’t have a need to ride in the dark. However, if you would like a working tail light, then this is a good start. You will also need a gas generator and some appropriate tubing to carry the gas from the generator to the lamp.
How do carbide lamps work?
They are very simple. You put carbide blocks in the base of the generator cylinder. You then put water in a separate compartment in the same generator, above the carbide. You then open a “tap” (More of a regulator) which controls the drips of water onto the carbide. By combining carbide with water, you generate acetylene gas which transfers through the pipe to the base of the lamp, where it is fed into the “wick”. You open the little door and light the gas, close the door and sit back to admire the feint glow of a light through your ruby-red prism at the rear.
Condition of this vintage motorcycle carbide acetylene rear lamp
Vintage motorcycle carbide acetylene rear lamp. Joseph Lucas large size rear light
Overall in good condition. It has been restored and has a new Lucas logo attached on the nickel plated chimney top. The main body is painted. This was normal for these larger lights. The small circular hinged door opens as it should. The wick is installed and the pipe connector is there. The ruby red prism lens looks like it’s original. It does NOT have any cracks. The long side window (to throw light onto the number plate & check that the light is still going) is made of glass as it should be. Finally, the 3-bolt mount is well attached.
It’s not perfect. But it is a very good example with some very small marks.
Other vintage motorcycle carbide acetylene rear lamps
If you would like to look through other vintage motorcycle lamps, please go to Motorcycle lamps here.
I have a selection of carbide headlamps, sidecar lights and more carbide rear lamps.
Buyer notes for this vintage motorcycle carbide acetylene rear lamp
Shipping is charged ON TOP of the price for the item. There are too many variables to include shipping in the checkout, so please contact me before you buy and I will give you a shipping price.
I usually ship to most destinations.
International shipping available. Let me know where you are and I will send you a price for shipping with tracking
Combined shipping available.
Viewing: Please come and check it over before you buy. It is at PE28, near St Ives in Cambridgeshire.
Collection: If you don’t want it shipped, I have plenty of space. If you can’t collect for a while, it’s not a problem. However, I will need to be paid very soon after the sale. Thanks.
Payment: Good old fashioned money on collection is preferred. I can accept payment through PayPal or by bank transfer as well. I can accept EUROS. Please ask.
Import Taxes: Please note that IMPORT DUTIES are not something I can control. If you are buying from outside the UK, there is a chance that you will have to pay import taxes. Import taxes vary from country to country. If there are charges to pay, it is the buyer’s responsibility to research the cost and pay the duties. The price that you see on my advert is for the item and not the item plus whatever taxes might be due.
If you aren’t a member yet, it might be worth joining the Vintage Motorcycle club.
