1912 Excelsior Tribute

[MotoMagz]

I’ve been messing with leds for many years...lots of cool set ups. Usually I run 3.7v cuz they are compact and you can run it straight to certain leds like a P7. This set up will be 12v to a constant current regulatory or a 900mah buckpuck. So my small 12v 2600 mah will get me about 3 hours of drive time.
Hey Rick what type of headlight are you referring to? Gotta pictur?

 

[MotoMagz]

Light with about a hour of hand cleaning.

 

[curtisfox]

Kool! Sure cleaning up nice, like the wood wall in the background also. ..........Curt

 

[Velodrome]

Light with about a hour of hand cleaning.

WOW! Thats a good look'r

 

[Velodrome]

I have a big one... ( gigity) and a really small one. Both converted to LED The tail lights are by far harder to find, but can be found on the "bay" The headlight was in bad shape and needed work thus I got it for a song. cut and blasted a piece of glass to replace the broken one and had a friend do some quick torch / brazing work for some dents then just shot it black cuz I was never going to be able to hide the repairs to the brass. Battery for the LED in in the little "tool" bag under the lamp. with a on off switch.

 

[indian22]

I’ve been messing with leds for many years...lots of cool set ups. Usually I run 3.7v cuz they are compact and you can run it straight to certain leds like a P7. This set up will be 12v to a constant current regulatory or a 900mah buckpuck. So my small 12v 2600 mah will get me about 3 hours of drive time.
Hey Rick what type of headlight are you referring to? Gotta pictur?

Moto the lamp that Tom posted is a good example of what I earlier referred to as "small" size mainly due to the reflector assembly design when compared to the main bodies reservoirs. The beauty of your lamp's design is that the "larger" reflector is in good proportion with not only the lamps body but also looks killer when coupled to the bike with the great original mounts. The reservoirs contrast well with one another and enhance that globe over canister look...just lovely!

The lamp mounted on the bike in your previous post proves that it all works together and will be a crowd pleaser to enthusiasts as well as with casual observers.

One other lamp design element that I like, but seldom see is an "eyelash" on the reflector.

Rick C.

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

I have a big one... ( gigity) and a really small one. Both converted to LED The tail lights are by far harder to find, but can be found on the "bay" The headlight was in bad shape and needed work thus I got it for a song. cut and blasted a piece of glass to replace the broken one and had a friend do some quick torch / brazing work for some dents then just shot it black cuz I was never going to be able to hide the repairs to the brass. Battery for the LED in in the little "tool" bag under the lamp. with a on off switch.

Velo, under which name did you search for that head lamp? A term I read referred to them as sardine cans.
The motorcycle company; http://theblackdouglas.com/model/jade-wonder/
Had one like yours, it appears they retooled it's current production models.
Tom from Rubicon

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

MotoMags,
When you get your head lamp sorted out.
For posterity please write a bill of materials and a schematic of the circuit. I see this growing legs on the right forum. There many of us that travel in low light hours
Tom from Rubicon

 

[MotoMagz]

- Dan awesome lights!
-Mr Fox thanks for wall compliment !
-Tom will do on lights I have another Hawthorne if you want me to make you one.
-Rick you have a way with words! I like Velo’s type of headlight too.
- thanks everyone!

 

[dogcatcher]

In my opinion, using an antique is okay, but making a replica of an antique is better. It doesn't even have to match up to the antique versions. Search "DIY steampunk flashlight" for construction ideas, this will get you the tricks needed to build a flashlight, or in our case a headlight. The design can be as simple are as elaborate as you want. As of now my design is working off of a starting point of a 3" PVC T fitting.

But today I ran across this https://www.instructables.com/id/Steampunk-Flashlight/

My starting point will be one of the cheap bullet headlights off of eBay, it has the battery holder, the LED's, the "glass", the switch and the reflector. I plan to scrap the tin bullet and go from there. If I mess up, I am only out a few dollars.

 

[MotoMagz]

In my opinion, using an antique is okay, but making a replica of an antique is better. It doesn't even have to match up to the antique versions. Search "DIY steampunk flashlight" for construction ideas, this will get you the tricks needed to build a flashlight, or in our case a headlight. The design can be as simple are as elaborate as you want. As of now my design is working off of a starting point of a 3" PVC T fitting.

But today I ran across this https://www.instructables.com/id/Steampunk-Flashlight/

My starting point will be one of the cheap bullet headlights off of eBay, it has the battery holder, the LED's, the "glass", the switch and the reflector. I plan to scrap the tin bullet and go from there. If I mess up, I am only out a few dollars.

My first led was made out of a cheap bullet light. Your correct Dogcatcher it’s all there. I put a small board with 3 modes into mine so when you hit switchover and back on... it would go to next mode.
I like steam punk stuff put it’s hit or miss for my liking! Plus I’ve made tons of stuff for these bikes over the years ...geez! Like this killswitch... But it’s fun!

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

MotoMags,
Your kill switch could dual function as a telegraph key.
Nice braided insulation on the conductor.
Tom from Rubicon

 

[MotoMagz]

MotoMags,
Your kill switch could dual function as a telegraph key.
Nice braided insulation on the conductor.
Tom from Rubicon

Lol yes it does. It was made to go on a bike I had sold. I didn’t want to leave it how it was,because I was afraid the guy might panic miss zap him self and wipeout for sure!. You’ll see when I make one for this bike,it won’t have the beginners knob on it.

 

[Velodrome]

Velo, under which name did you search for that head lamp? A term I read referred to them as sardine cans.
The motorcycle company; http://theblackdouglas.com/model/jade-wonder/
Had one like yours, it appears they retooled it's current production models.
Tom from Rubicon

- Dan awesome lights!
-Mr Fox thanks for wall compliment !
-Tom will do on lights I have another Hawthorne if you want me to make you one.
-Rick you have a way with words! I like Velo’s type of headlight too.
- thanks everyone!

Try ebay "Carbide Headlamp" like THIS: https://www.ebay.com/itm/LUCAS-KING...=item44344d855d:g:bu4AAOSwO-pcJToT:rk:16:pf:0 OR "Carbide Headlight" like THIS: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Acetylene-...m=273563352369&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

. It was made to go on a bike I had sold.
Nice machine MotoMagz, I see why it had an eager buyer.
Did Dan have a hand in building it?
Tom from Rubicon

 

[MotoMagz]

. It was made to go on a bike I had sold.
Nice machine MotoMagz, I see why it had an eager buyer.
Did Dan have a hand in building it?
Tom from Rubicon

No not that one.

So The Headlight Hunt continues! Well I do like the headlight Velo has on his bike. For me thought it needs to be smaller. I saw a few with nice little visors and then a little faint bell went off in my head. The top off my other carbide will do the trick. Maybe add alittle visor and paint it brass. What do you guys think? The other one is starting to look to much like a treasure (it’s not) and alittle to ornate.

 

[dogcatcher]

I like the light, and want to thank you for posting it. It gave me a better idea, I may use a 4" to 3" PVC reducer for the base part of the unit, and make the guts from the eBay bullet lamp.

 

[MotoMagz]

I like the light, and want to thank you for posting it. It gave me a better idea, I may use a 4" to 3" PVC reducer for the base part of the unit, and make the guts from the eBay bullet lamp.

Can I thank you First Dogcatcher! I only ended up at this point because you started talking about different ideas and it got me thinking. I didn’t build the light but ...I did take it from another one piece unit .I will be attempting to a visor and a few othe pieces. Make sure you post a link or pictures of the PVC lamp.

 

[Velodrome]

Per Moto: "" Maybe add alittle visor and paint it brass. What do you guys think? "" I say make it out of brass! Its easy to cut and shape. My local ACE Hardware carry brass stock of various thicknesses. Failing that the internet is your friend. Just have to figure the gadge / thickness your after. then silver solder vs JB Weld to affix.

 

[indian22]

No not that one.

So The Headlight Hunt continues! Well I do like the headlight Velo has on his bike. For me thought it needs to be smaller. I saw a few with nice little visors and then a little faint bell went off in my head. The top off my other carbide will do the trick. Maybe add alittle visor and paint it brass. What do you guys think? The other one is starting to look to much like a treasure (it’s not) and alittle to ornate.

Your not going to go wrong with either lamp Moto. I went back & looked at your bike photos and I prefer the smaller lamp with less protrusion, to me it complements the "racy" lines of your road bike that hints of it's board bike heritage along with the board saddle ...and overall it's clean low and long frame profile. A small brass hood "eyebrow" would be a nice touch as Velo pointed out & it seems you lean toward as well. This is still where I came in, you won't go wrong with either lamp. As I see them, my comments are normally intended for "entertainment purpose only" ...certainly not as fabrication totems. I rather tend to the eclectic/classic style of tribute bikes & don't expect others to necessarily think them of proper detail.

Rick C.