All Colebys Great and Small

[vhgmcbuddy]

I came across this site by accident when I was looking into Coleby Cultivators as part of a family history project. I must admit I am glad to see there are quite a few still about and that a number of you see them as worth saving and restoring.
In time, I would like to collect some photos of them, regardless of condition.
Best wishes to all Coleby fans!

[andyfrost]

Firstly welcome , stick around , the wealth of allround knowledge on here is astounding.
I wouldn’t go as far to say that there are “quite a few” Colebys remaining , they are relatively scarce , with possibly only a handful that are in running order.
Information on them is quite patchy and scarce , from what I have gleaned , Mr Coleby , either had relations or close friends who farmed on Jersey , and a fair number of them were used there ,hence the Jersey model fitted with the 420cc BSA engine one garage on the island specialised in their repair.

Andy.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Although I don’t think I can come up with any technical information that would help anyone, it may be possible for me to get hold of more of the history of the machines and manufacturers if anyone is interested.

[jtg1]

any info gratefully recieved , as its very thin on the ground for coleby. some larger shots of the plough and cultivator on your avitar would be good too, as yet to see a genuine plough for a 2 wheeler

[vhgmcbuddy]

I’ll see how this comes out. Please don’t tell me it’s interesting as it’s sat in my garden for over 10 years! It has ceased solid. I’d be gutted!

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[charlie]

Don’t be too gutted, it may not be too late to save it, at least it has not gone for scrap.

[vhgmcbuddy]

There have been times when I’ve been tempted! Especially when I’ve banged my head on the handle-bars believe me! Not too sure I have the know-how or time to restore it though.

[jtg1]

colebys-kid have sent a private message,to read click on your avatar at top right of screen
john

[andyfrost]

Almost same as mine apart from wheels , and a slight variation in the plough. Mine having the slightly smaller barpoint plough. That certainly appears restorable.

Andy.

[vhgmcbuddy]

hi
the plough that i got with my colbey is exactlty the same as yours apart from the metal guide wheel which is missing on mine. i also have a 2 wheeled drag behind tool trolley which seems to be some sort of hoe. there are two fixing points for tools etc on my machine, the one shown on your pic and there is another underneath my machine which seems to be some sort of pin and eye system which is used to tow the trolley i have. mine also has the allen type tyres and wheels which are fitted inside the metal twin wheels next to the machine. getting the engine to turn over should not be too mucch of a problem mine wasn’t. i just took the head off soacked the piston top in wd40 for a couple of days and a few gentle taps with a block of wood and it freed up my main problem is the coil. as it has been standing for so long i no longer have a spark. that and i do not have the rope pulley for it

[andyfrost]

Pete , coils are no problem , they are readily available new. They may appear expensive , but are worth every penny , you should then have effortless starting , I would go as far as to say , the modern replacement coils are better than the originals.

Andy.

[ssorthiek]

Hi all

I’m new to VHGMC and my interest has been started by my purchase of a Coleby Junior in Kent. This was owned by a member who has told me about this club and having read a bit about it, duely paid my subs.

So, why the interest in Coleby? My grandfather worked for Fred Coleby and after Mr Coleby decided to sell the company, my grandfather bought the company which continued trading until 1972. I have several photos of my Grandad with the Coleby with the JAP engine and I assume the Villiers engine. There is therefore a family connection. I also have a Coleby in bits in my garage at the moment which I am trying to restore and this looks promising.

During the restoration, I am using the very tools my Grandad used to make the machines in the first place. I have his old spanners, tap wrenches die holders, screw gauges and so forth.

If anyone has any information about the Coleby Junior at all, I would be very interested to hear from you.

[trusty220]

Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the club as well! That is a very interesting story about one of the lesser-known brands of horticultural machinery.

If you are restoring it could I suggest that you take photo’s and put the restoration on the Projects section? I’m sure our members would be very interested in keeping up with it.

Best of luck with it, and if you need help sourcing parts or how to do something don’t hesitate to ask.

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