Dragonfly cable retention

[andy1303]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me how the wiring was held to the frame on a Dragonfly when it left the factory?

Thanks

Andy

[BrmBrm]

Did anyone reply Andy?
I would like to know as well.
Dave G

[eddie]

I have never seen any reference to cable clips in the spare parts books, but when I purchased my Dragonfly (in pieces, from the original owner), there were some used soft metal cable ties in the boxes of bits. Years later, when we collected Graeme Brown's postwar spares for the Club's spares scheme, there was a bundle of these cable ties in the drawer full of electrical bits - so I guess they were the correct ones for the Dragonfly. They were in the form of a headed metal strip with a narrow slot across the head. In use, the strip is just bent around the frame tube and harness, the tail poked through the slot and bent back on itself.

  Hope this helps,
                           Regards,
                                         Eddie.

[andy1303]

Thanks Eddie (and Dave for the bump).

Wiring is a bit of a specialist subject of mine, so while I used stainless cable ties on a non-related project a while ago, I will definately enjoy tracking down some of the type you describe for future use.

[cardan]

You could also consider the John Bull style rubber cable ties. I like them for HT leads because they keep the cables off the frame, and for cables because they offer some flexibility. They are now widely available on ebay and elsewhere.

Leon

[isettaman]

Now, this is very interesting. You learn something new every day!
Attached is a picture of a tobacco tin which came with my 80 plus in bits two years ago.
The machine was bought by the previous owner in 1959 and was never ridden but subsequently dismantled with new and replacement parts being added over the years until my purchase in 2018. You can see the cable ties Eddie mentioned along with headlamp rim clips, speedo reset knurled nut and other bits and pieces.

[andy1303]

Cardan - thanks for the idea but I'd like to go as original as I can.

Isettaman - would there be any chance of you giving me some dimensions?

Thanks

Andy

[isettaman]

Yes, no problem.
Picture attached.
I've also found these,   https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/330/category/65?prefer_full_site=1
which are virtually the same without all the effort, perhaps?

[isettaman]

Andy
Another interesting discovery for me in the tobacco tin are these small connectors which I'm deducing
are for connecting wires to the lighting switch. Never seen them before!
Dave

[eddie]

We're straying a bit off-course!! This illustration is of a Lucas switch and ammeter as used on Mark series machines - not the Dragonfly.

  Eddie.

[isettaman]

Sorry, Eddie
I got carried away!
Dave

[andy1303]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the dimensions, and for the link. I can't believe I spent about an hour looking online for them and didn't even try the usual suspects. I'll have to treat myself to some.

I appreciate your other post may be seen as off topic, but personally I love simple engineering solutions and they are beautiful. I wouldn't mind some of them for the Miller switch on my dragonfly if they fitted.

Thanks again everyone for your input.

Andy