Lucas Electrical Theory

[phorner]

Anyone who has ever had the misfortune to own/operate/restore a British sports car will appreciate this explanation of electrical theory:



'ELECTRICAL THEORY BY JOSEPH LUCAS'


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

(1842-1903)

[hobobimmer]

Anyone who has ever had the misfortune to own/operate/restore a British sports car will appreciate this explanation of electrical theory:
'ELECTRICAL THEORY BY JOSEPH LUCAS'

Adding to your Joseph Lucas "Electrical Theory" story, I have seen the quote on T-shirts at motorcycle rallies which reads: "Lucas: Prince Of Darkness."

Eric Faires
Huntsville, TN

[Coloradobus]

When we drive our Jaguar E-Type 1970 on a road outing with our Club, as a Club we drive with our headlights on, or at least with the head light switch in the 'On' position and let Lucas do the rest. Remember, the Concord had 27 miles of Lucas wiring.

[rfoster]

I can 2nd that. I had an early love affair with Triumph motorcycles. When running; it ran great. When the smoke came out it quit. Always a wiring issue.

The oil leaks were less than a Harley of the day.

But back then most parking lots were gravel. A little oil was good for keeping the dust down.

[rickdesilva]

I have a Sunbeam Tiger, the love child of British unpredictable technology and Ford V8 reliability. The car is an animal to drive, The Lucas electrical system is a nightmare just don't drive it at night because the headlights are too dim, the directionals never worked, the brake lights occasionally work and its too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter to drive.

[Kevin Erion]

Rick, many years ago, I had a Tiger also....fun car but not when it was hot out.