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Author Topic: Hi from another Aussie  (Read 7281 times)

Offline villiers

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Hi from another Aussie
« on: April 05, 2010, 06:56:47 AM »
I'm another Aussie who's a sucker for playing in machine shops. My main interest is ancient motorcycles and I particularly like small ones powered by Villiers. I have other bikes but creaking bones see me riding smaller and lighter ones than I did in the past.
Most of my machine shop work is making parts for my various beasties.
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Offline spuddevans

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2010, 07:08:27 AM »
Hi there Villers :wave: welcome to the clubhouse.


Tim
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Offline Bernd

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2010, 09:04:28 AM »
Welcome to the collective villers.  :borg:

You sound like you have a very interesting hobby there. Never heard of the bike engines you mention. Would be interesting to see a pic of one of those. Post it in our Gallery section when and if you can.

Thanks.  :nrocks:

Bernd
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2010, 09:22:29 AM »
Welcome Villiers .. show is the piccys  ... most of us can't read ....  :scratch:

Bernd

Villiers engines went in many UK bikes. James, Francis-Barnett, Greeves, Sun, Excelsior, Norman
Just a few off the top of me Bald Old Head. Probably lots more.
Very succesful in Trials bikes.

I had a James (Captain?) 197 cc 2/S  For a few weeks ... until the damned things timing slipped and it ran backwards..

Not an uncommon occurence :(

Went back to OHV.
Never had another 2/stroke.
L.M.F.

EDIT  ...also a lot used in Lawn mowers, cultivators, generators etc. .

Dave BC
« Last Edit: April 05, 2010, 09:31:45 AM by Bluechip »
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tumutbound

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2010, 10:13:58 AM »
Welcome from another Aussie.
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Offline dsquire

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2010, 01:09:52 PM »
villiers

Welcome to MadModders villiers. I see that you have an interest in bikes so you should feel right at home here. We have members that work on both full size and scale on the forum so I think you will get along well. Since  :worthless:, show us a few of what you are up to when you get the chance. If you have any questions just ask, there is always someone around with an answer or at least an opinion for you. :smart:
Also, be careful of  :proj: as there is only one known cure, and that is to build it. :lol: :lol:

Cheers  :beer:

Don

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Offline Bernd

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2010, 06:37:15 PM »
Quote from: Bluechip on April 05, 2010, 09:22:29 AM
Bernd

Villiers engines went in many UK bikes. James, Francis-Barnett, Greeves, Sun, Excelsior, Norman
Just a few off the top of me Bald Old Head. Probably lots more.
Very succesful in Trials bikes.

I had a James (Captain?) 197 cc 2/S  For a few weeks ... until the damned things timing slipped and it ran backwards..

Not an uncommon occurence :(

Went back to OHV.
Never had another 2/stroke.
L.M.F.

EDIT  ...also a lot used in Lawn mowers, cultivators, generators etc. .

Dave BC


Interesting. Never heard of any of those except the Norman. Thanks for the enlightenment.

Bernd
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Offline villiers

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #7 on: April 05, 2010, 08:00:25 PM »
Hi Bernd,
The original Villiers company made engines from 1913 or thereabouts up until 1966. You could say they were the English equivalent of Briggs & Stratton except they made more two-strokes than four strokes. They were made in their millions. As well as being used in motorcycles and cars like Briggs & Stratton they were used in cultivators, pumps, lawnmowers, sprayers, lighting sets and anything else you can think of that needed a small engine to drive it.
My main interest is motorcycles  of the 1920's and 30's powered by their engines although creaking joints mean I do have one modern bike fitted with tele forks and rear suspension for comfortable riding. ( A 1951 James Captain that doesn't run backwards).
At the moment I'm being driven crazy rebuilding a 2-speed gear box for my 1930 Excelsior. Old crack prone aluminium alloy is NOT fun to work with. Pictures in due course.
Bob
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Offline Bernd

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2010, 10:01:15 PM »
Thanks for that very enlighting explination Bob.

You'd think with such a deverse use they had that one would show up in the US, but never have seen any.

Ok, awaiting for pictures with baited breath.  :D

Bernd
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2010, 08:42:00 PM »
Hi Bob!

Welcome to the collective :borg:

Everyone else got the mandatory stuff already... but you are in good company. Many of us like our motorbikes!

Pictures are needed. :)

Eric
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Offline villiers

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2010, 07:53:48 AM »
just to give you a sample here is my 1930ish Excelsior. Has a 2 speed gearbox and 147cc of sheer magic. its more fun than I ever expected. Currently I'm being driven nuts rebuilding another gearbox for it as the current one has an enormous crack in it and won't hold oil. So far I have acquired four spares and the only two crack free examples have a slightly different mounting. More pictures when I get the problem sorted.
Bob
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Offline villiers

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2010, 07:56:22 AM »
Hmmm, haven't quite got the hang of posting pictures yet. Though it would be bigger.
Bob
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2010, 10:34:15 AM »
Quote from: villiers on April 07, 2010, 07:56:22 AM
Hmmm, haven't quite got the hang of posting pictures yet. Though it would be bigger.
Bob

Click on it... it will get bigger :)
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Offline verithingeeoff

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Re: Hi from another Aussie
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2010, 01:08:48 AM »
G'day Villiers :wave:
Know the Villiers engine well mate, my first bike was a James, back in '63, then a Sports Captain, then onto some bigger stuff. Given up on them these days though, sticking to cars now.---
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