More Smoke

ELECTRICAL THEORY

Positive ground depends on proper circuit functioning, which is the
transmission of negative ions by retention of the visible spectral
manifestation known as "smoke".

Smoke is the thing that makes electrical circuits work. We know this
to be true because every time one lets the smoke out of an electrical
circuit, it stops working. This can be verified repeatedly through
empirical testing.

For example, if one places a copper bar across the terminals of a
battery, prodigious quantities of smoke are liberated and the battery
shortly ceases to function. In addition, if one observes smoke
escaping from an electrical component such as a Lucas voltage
regulator, it will also be observed that the component no longer
functions. The logic is elementary and inescapable!

The function of the wiring harness is to conduct the smoke from one
device to another. When the wiring springs a leak and lets all the
smoke out of the system, nothing works afterward.

Starter motors were considered unsuitable for British motorcycles for
some time largely because they consumed large quantities of smoke,
requiring very unsightly large wires.

It has been reported that Lucas electrical components are possibly
more prone to electrical leakage than their Bosch, Japanese or
American counterparts. Experts point out that this is because Lucas
is British, and all things British leak. British engines leak oil,
British shock absorbers, hydraulic forks and disk brake systems leak
fluid, British tires leak air and British Intelligence leaks national
defense secrets.

Therefore, it follows that British electrical systems must leak
smoke. Once again, the logic is clear and inescapable.

In conclusion, the basic concept of transmission of electrical energy
in the form of smoke provides a logical explanation of the mysteries
of electrical components especially British units manufactured by
Joseph Lucas, Ltd.

And remember: "A gentleman does not motor about after dark!"

Joseph Lucas: "The Prince of Darkness"
1842-1903

A few Lucas quips:

The Lucas motto: "Get home before dark"

Lucas is the patent holder for the short circuit.

Lucas - Inventor of the first intermittent wiper.

Lucas - Inventor of the self-dimming headlamp.

The three-position Lucas switch--DIM, FLICKER and OFF. The other
three switch settings--SMOKE, SMOLDER and IGNITE.

The Original Anti-Theft Device - Lucas Electrics.

If Lucas made guns, wars would not start

Q: Why do the British drink warm beer?
A: Because Lucas makes their refrigerators.
 
Chuck, you must have gotten this concept during your formative Navy days, as they taught us about smoke's magical attributes during Basic Electrical and Electronics in Millington. Once in the fleet, the theory was proven time and again. Thanks for sharing this wisdom with the uninitiated. By the way, my dad would back up your thoughts on Lucas, as he restored an original 289 Cobra many years ago.
 
I went to Electronics schools in Millington ("A" school in 1962, "B" school in 1965-66) I also taught there from 1967-1970. Some techs to trouble shoot would keep putting bigger fuses in until something smoked :rolleyes: -- Chuck
 
Not proud of it but I have been there done that to find an issue with a couple motor control circuits that I was unable to diagnose because of the manner in which they would blow. The trick to it(if there is one) is to not go so big that the current rating of the wire is compromised. If you do that just becomes a big fusible link. Lol
 
Chuck,
You might mention that, in order to fully capitalize their potential, Lucas now markets various lubrication products........and is making millions doing it.
This gets the primary characteristic of their products.....leakage and smoke.....into millions of hands...(actually ON millions of hands).

What a perfect quinella for Lucas! They market leaky and smokey petroleum products AND cleanup and hand cleansing compounds to erase the evidence of the presence of their products. Kinda' like owning a cat house AND the church next door.
 
Just like the oil seals that were used in many of the British M-cycles, must've been given away by the Oil Cos., you could always tell where the BSA's were parked by the puddles of oil. Thanks Chuck, I'm thinking that this is a perfect illustration of the old adage, "by Smoke and Mirrors".
 
Just like the oil seals that were used in many of the British M-cycles, must've been given away by the Oil Cos., you could always tell where the BSA's were parked by the puddles of oil. Thanks Chuck, I'm thinking that this is a perfect illustration of the old adage, "by Smoke and Mirrors".
LOL. Guess you never owned any of the early HARLEY'S. LOL
 
Electronics in Millington.
I attended school in Millington in 1958. Guided missile specialists. I don't remember any instructions on "smoke".

I love the town of Memphis. When I was there people used to brag that there were more churches than gas stations in Memphis. lol

From the desk of Al Nunley
Comments compliments criticisms and questions always welcome.
If the data does not support the theory, get a new theory.
(Al Nunley)
 
Al, I was there in '83-84 through AT "A" school. I didn't frequent many churches during that time, but needed to in order to ask forgiveness for some places we DID go to. Luckily, the good Lord looks out for drunks and fools (I had double coverage at times) and got me through it all alive.

Paul, I think that the electrical Lucas deal is totally separate from Forrest Lucas from the oil company, who started out as a trucker I think. Most all British cars in the '50s and '60s had their gauges and electrical systems, which were notorious for gremlins and such.
 
Yes....the electronics Lucas is a separate entity from the lube Lucas Petroleum products.
Lucas electronics, I believe is British, and the butt of many bad jokes as regarding their dependability.......Lucas Petroleum is from (I believe) the Cleveland ares.
Lucas electronics predates Lucas pet by decades.
Check this: http://www.triumphexp.com/phorum/read.php?8,724819
 
I once recall hearing that Lucas tried to diversify it's electrics industry and manufacture vacuum cleaners. Seems it was the only product they made that didn't suck.
 
Chuck, the discussion of Lucas electrics really brought back memories - I worked on so many '50s and early 60s British motorcycles when I was young I lost count of the Lucas quirks I encountered, lol, then I helped restore a couple of late 50s Jaguars. Yay verily, the Prince of Darkness. Back in the '90s I was at a car show of British cars and found a perticularly nice Jaguar of a type I was always fond of(but not enough to own one :) ) and had quite a discussion with the owner on its care and feeding; we got to discussing the problems with Lucas electrics - he grinned, leaned close, and whispered in my ear, "My secret is most of the problems went away when I converted it to negative ground."
 
must be a british thing. I drove Freightliners for years and the older ones were positive ground. I never had any problems with their electrical... That I remember.
ber
 
My 1948 Royal Enfield motorcycle is 6v positive ground. That thing will definitely re-educate you when it comes to electrical issues.
 
must be a british thing. I drove Freightliners for years and the older ones were positive ground. I never had any problems with their electrical... That I remember.
ber

Positive ground vehicles were more sensitive to ground connection related problems, but neither Freightliners (wasn't it White Freightliner back then?) nor Studabaker-Packard positive ground products could hold a candle to Lucas for some reason.

Vintagequest, I began my education on the variations of Lucasitus on Royal Enfield bikes too, about 9 years newer, and by that time sold under the Indian trademark in the US. It doesn't appear that the intervening 9-10 years resulted in much improvement, lol. However, when you got the mag spot on, the big Royal Enfield twins with twin carburation (Amal carbs, a whole new chapter in a motorcycle education) were real great beasts. Did the '48 model have that little lever you could kick with your heel when you pulled the clutch in from any gear but low to get you into neutral? That was a neat feature in the later Enfields.
 
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