Delta Light update to LED

[metalchewy]

As we build up old patinas and sometimes rusty bikes, sometimes those holes in the fenders need an original style fender light.

Fender lights on ebay are usually out of my price range if they work. With current prices, you can pick up a cheap non working one for 30-50 bucks. Rusted inners or non-existant, no lenses, bad connectors, no switches, etc.

In this thread, I will take a Delta torpedo, that I picked up and convert it over to modern lighting. Rechargeable, bright, flashing if I want, etc.

It's a work in progress, and I'll figure it out as I go.

I've already got a start on it. This light came rust stained. I soaked it with Kroil for days and was not able to get any of the innards to loosen up.

Drilled out the rivets so I could clean it up.

While trying to disolve the rust, i Soaked it in phosphoric acid. Took the rust outta the white paint and turned it blue. Indicating it was lead painted.

Sanded it wet with gloves, some 3m scrubbers and some 320 grit plastic sand paper.

I picked up a three LED bicycle light that I will pre-fit before dealing with the paint and patina.

More to come as I make progress.

 

[metalchewy]

Ground the corners off that square base.

I was happy to see the threaded base would fit thru the original bezel and I can screw on the new bezel to hold it tightly in place.

Painted it up after a coat of etching primer. I used a satin white. Will shine it up with some polish after it cures for a bit.

 

[metalchewy]

Fun fact. These cheep $8 a set little bicycle headlights run on the same voltage as an 18650 Lion Battery.

Soldered in a single socket.

The charging system on board will also charge them, all be it at a slower rate, but will get a huge amount of hours in a single charge.

 

[metalchewy]

Put some jbweld on the back of the board to keep the wires from rattling around and breaking off. Also used some Ultra Blue silicon to try to glue in the switch cover

And JB welded some speed nuts into the case. Gotta wait for the silicon to dry before I can finish putting in together.

 

[Ulu]

Be careful about putting too much glue on the circuit boards, because they need to stay cool or the chip will burn up. You don’t want to insulate them in anyway.

 

[metalchewy]

Be careful about putting too much glue on the circuit boards, because they need to stay cool or the chip will burn up. You don’t want to insulate them in anyway.

Thanks for the tip, if I have problems, the next round wont have as much.

 

[metalchewy]

Last night I used a little wax paper and tape and filled in the rust holes, a rivet hole and the old switch hole. Easy to drill thru if I want a to run electric to the frame from the light.

Finished fitting in the battery and made sure the charging cord and the power switch can be reached.

Mounted it up. Will deal with making it match the paint another day.

 

[metalchewy]

Some night pics.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

thanks for sharing this. Very nice.

 

[metalchewy]

thanks for sharing this. Very nice.

I hope it helps many ratrodbikers to see some lights