i have a 1914 runabout w/ jbrown headlights that are missing the lens. searching web and ebay i have not been able to locate any. also talking with owners in the san antonio area the attachment of the lens appears to be a mystery. any help would be appreciated. thanks bruce
Bruce, I just went to the glass shop with a sample and he cut me 2 for twenty bucks. They are just plate glass.
Andy
Isn't that what I suggested?
The lens is held in place inside the rim with a simple "C" shaped steel ring. There is very little gap between the ends so it's not really a C but it's not quite a circle, either. To install, just lay the rim face down, drop in the lens, grab the ends of the ring with a couple of pliers, collapse it a tad, hold it there, and lay the ring on top of the lens. Carefully release the ring and you're done.
Hello RV:
Do these brass lamps also have a gasket between the lamp door and the glass? I've seen that mentioned here on the Forum, but not sure what model lamps that may be in reference to. Seems like there should be some shock absorbing mechanism to protect this fairly weak glass.
Regards,
SCott
no
In the old days,Jim Finney told me they cut them out of old windshields. They won't take a stray rock,but fortunately they don't see a lot of them.
I used to have some I'll look for you
William, Richard is right; there is no gasket there. There is, however, an asbestos pad or cushion between the glass mirror and the back of the bucket.
Hi,
Does anyone have a couple (or one) "c" ring that holds the glass in the rim on the John Brown 16 lights? I'm missing both those and lenses on my pair of lights.
Thanks, Dennis
Thanks Gents.
Dennis: I made the c-rings for mine out of standard 10ga. hanging wire.
Regards,
Scott
Scott,
Thanks for the info. I didn't have anything to reference the diameter of the wire or rod too. Where is a good source for the 10 ga. wire?
Dennis
3/32" brass rod makes a nice headlight lens retainer ring just like the original ones.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-brass-alloy-260-rods/=olq807
while we're on the subject, i need a right side headlight fork, any extra's out there?
Royce,
Thanks again for the tip. I'll get some rod pronto and start rolling a couple rings out. Should be easier to work than steel.
Dennis
Dennis' I use to make mine out of the spring wire used to make seat springs. We had an old early upholstery supply shop in Tampa "Harris and Sterns".
It comes in 4 or 5 foot lengths. It will roll. I believe there was about 5/8" space after fitment into the spun brass doors. I had to do a couple until I got them right. The 11-12 lights are smaller dia. then the late 12 thru 14.
Joe in Mo.
Royce is correct I think the diameter was 3/32". They have several diameters of the spring wire. A look in Hemmings should turn up more of those shops. I know that there are 2 in Ft.Worth.
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the tip on the spring wire. I think I might have some ideas where I can obtain some. Just finished removing dents and polishing the brass for one of my JB headlight sets. Need to paint the housings next. I've been "away" from working on T's for a decade or so. Started on my first one just out of high school--finished it after graduating college. Hope I have the energy and time to put my 14 together in the near future. Also a couple of other projects. Thanks again everybody for the help on my headlight questions.