Question about Radios headlights
 

I hope someone on the C&V forum will be able to point me in the right direction. I'm trying to find out a few things about Radios brand headlights, which were made in France during the 40's and 50's. Does anyone know what happened to the company? Also, does anyone on the list happen to have a No.16 headlight that can tell me the overall length and maximum diameter of the headlight?



Many thanks in advance,

Radios No.16
 

Ron-

I have a couple of Radios No.16 lamps- I can measure tomorrow.

In the mean time, here are pictures of one that I polished up and sent to Velo-Lumino to be retrofit with modern LED internals. Pictures by Velo-Lumino.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hudson...h/31822285082/

Robert Hudson
Petaluma, California

pictures added
 

I found a couple of pictures in my archive of critical internal measurements and added them to the Flickr album referenced above.

Robert Hudson
Petaluma, California

that's really nice! Great to see the classics being upgraded to provide the performance that we expect today!
Anton did an excellent job!

I've had people ask me about reworking older lights to accept LEDs, and it's not a simple matter. I know that Anton basically guts a modern light and puts the electronics and optics into a vintage light. I've always wondered how he managed the heatsinking... i.e. getting the heat from the LED to the light's housing. Seems like that could require a fair bit of work, and therefore cost.

Congrats & thanks, Robert, for spending a fair bit of money to keep such a cool light operational!


Steve in Peoria

Robert,

Thanks for posting the images of the No. 16 conversion and the images with the calipers. The conversion looks awesome! While I have a No. 18, I've always wondered how close the No.16 lens diameter is to a B&M IQ Cyo or a Schmidt Edelux II. I also wondered if the No.16 would be a better fit for a 700c wheel...your photos have pretty much convinced me to go with a No.16 for my Gitane.


Thanks again,

Radios No.16
 

Ron-

Sorry about not responding with more measurements as promised- too many weekend tasks.

Sounds like you are heading down the same path that I did. I had an NOS No.18 saved for a 650B rando build, but when I mocked up the build with wheels, fenders, and rack the No.18 looked too big- maybe crowding the handlebar bag.

Here is what Anton Tutter (Velo Lumino) wrote to me about retrofitting the No.16:

" The Radios (No.16) exceeded my expectations, as the B&M IQ Cyo lens cover is a perfect fit to the bezel. The electronics fit beautifully inside, and I was able to ground the electronics internally to the nut for lens quick release. I was able to use the "hot" wire post with knurled nut for the electronics "hot" hookup, therefore no need for wiring to exit from inside the unit-- just like the original setup."

Anton- I hope that you don't mind my quoting you...

Vintage French headlights are rare and expensive on USA fleabay- especially in NOS or VGC- but not at all so on the French fleabay site. In the space of several months, I was able to collect 6 or 7 of them at reasonable prices.
Use more generic search terms (ie: "phare"). The French are less prone to fetishizing vintage bike parts, and these things often are offered as just another bit of old bicycle junk. If they have been used, you will have to spend some time hand polishing. Scratches and very small dents can be sanded out. Simichrome (or Wenol) is miracle stuff on soft aluminum.

I highly recommend Anton for the retrofit...he has the whole process dialed. Very exacting, and you will not be disappointed.

Very nice shop you have by the way- the shop-made pre-industrial equipment is rare and special...

Robert Hudson
Petaluma, California

Robert,
.
Thanks for the compliments on my luthiery shop! Converting over to a pre-18th C, hand-tool-only method outfit, from a Norm Abrams-type shop has been a 12+ year labor of love, and is teaching me how to re-learn every process over again. It's not too great from a profit perspective, but building new synaptic connections is always worthwhile.

No worries about the extra dimensions -- I'm pretty handy at lofting and photogrammetry, and have built stringed instruments from the same amount of information you've already provided. Thanks also for the tip about French fleabay! I've got a couple of bids out now, and will keep trying if I'm not successful. Even if I'm outbid, I've got enough information to take a .dwg or .dxf file to a short-run/prototyping metal spinning or hydro-forming shop. I'll probably send the result of either out to Anton for a retrofit. When possible, I send any money I can to cottage industries.

Thanks again,

Ron