Chris P Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Hi, I’m looking for a few small items including a horn button for my 1944 3HW (parts book says MT4/13917) and have realised I’m not 100% sure what it looks like! Does anybody have any photos of the right one? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 (edited) Yes it's this generic period type. 1944 would be a 7/8" handlebar with standardized Amal controls.. Ron Edited November 26, 2021 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted November 26, 2021 Author Share Posted November 26, 2021 Thank you Ron, as ever. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 The right hand side one! Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted November 26, 2021 Author Share Posted November 26, 2021 Thank you Lex. I’ve actually got a couple of original buttons in chrome that look exactly the same as the one on the right so I’ll see what I can do with those. Thanks again all. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Yes, the chrome ones are much easier to find, bead blast them, and paint, then it's the same thing. Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted November 26, 2021 Author Share Posted November 26, 2021 Thank you Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Here are two original WD horn buttons. They were often dull plated and a bright chrome button can be blasted back to dull chrome with gentle low pressure and medium grit. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted November 27, 2021 Author Share Posted November 27, 2021 Ah thank you again Ron, I’m about to hide from the weather in my workshop and have a go at ‘dulling’ my chrome one. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted November 27, 2021 Author Share Posted November 27, 2021 May I pick your brains again, Ron and Lex? Lex, you may recall that I bought the last of your Lucas tail lamps and have made up one that is reasonable, thank you. I know that the late war lights didn’t have the rubber sleeve on them but as, due to corrosion, it does not hold together as firmly as I would like, for security I need to have a sleeve on it. I’ve put a bit of rubber on it for now but I was wondering if either of you know where I might be able to get a repro or usable NOS rubber. Thanks again Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Hi Chris, that came out quite good! But as for the rubber, I only have one with it on I think, and no repro's are being made as far as I know, except for the much too small in diameter Indian copies, of the complete lights. Will see if I can make some pictures, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 (edited) I actually have 2, but one is modified, and painted black, rubber is rock hard, and breaking off, the other too, but has some cracks, it would be nice if someone would repro these! note the black one had L/WD MCT1 (Lucas, War Department, Motorcycle Tail, 1) stamped in the lense housing, the bracket on the early ones is not stamped. Lex Edited November 27, 2021 by welbike additional info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted November 27, 2021 Author Share Posted November 27, 2021 Thank you Lex. I think I might have a go at finding a company who are willing to make some up and if I do find one perhaps I can contact you again for some measurements. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Chris you could talk to Jeff Hunter (the rubber man) jeffalanhunter@aol.com mention my name if you want. He should be able to make them from a reasonable pattern. Bare in mind they would be made from modern materials (Not real rubber) and would not have much structural effect. Just water proof which is all they were designed for anyway. He's usually at Kempton Jumble in the first hall if you can make it next Sat.... 4th Dec. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Yes, that was my thought too, Jeff Hunter, but he doesn't want to make stuff that will not sell in large quantities, I tried before, with the rubber johnnies over the throttle bodies (out of the 200 or so we had made in the Czech republic, we are completely sold out, took over 10 years, but still). Am I right in thinking, the rubber is riveted and sandwiched between the metal parts?? Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted November 27, 2021 Author Share Posted November 27, 2021 Ok I’ll send Jeff an email and suggest that I purchase 20 or so and see if he goes for it. Any more than that wouldn’t be wise. If he isn’t interested I’ll try elsewhere. Chris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Yes, try that, I'll have 5 or so, if you do get them made. But it's possible to make a mould, and pour them yourself, but never tried that myself. Or print them, another possibility. I might be able to have a 3D drawing made up, by a friend. Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted December 4, 2021 Author Share Posted December 4, 2021 I emailed Jeff Hunter last weekend (mentioning your name Ron) and have not had a reply. I guess he is not interested. Tried speaking to a few companies from the internet and so far I haven’t found the right guys as they are talking about £2K to get it to the prototype stage! So unless you have any other companies in mind I’ll give up on that idea. I have been looking at the diy option and it looks pretty simple (I’m used to glass fibre mould making) and am happy to put a bit of time and money into this. The thing is I’ll need an original to make the first mould, which I don’t have of course, so will need someone to lend one to me! A bit of an ask I know but a broken one would do as long as it is all there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted December 4, 2021 Share Posted December 4, 2021 I spoke to Jeff at Kempton today. He is aware of your email but has a load of emails to reply to, but also he really needs an original to copy. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted December 4, 2021 Share Posted December 4, 2021 You won't find any to copy, If I would take mine apart, which I will not do, sorry, it will fall apart in hundreds of pieces! the 3 copper rivets need to be removed to take it all apart, so best is to make a 3D drawing of it. Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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