[andyfrost]

I’m still a little confused here , going back to your very first photo , it looks to me like you have(or had) the flywheel removed , it appears to be in your hand , and certainly not siezed on the crank ????

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Dave , I sometimes consider getting one of these modern phone gadgets so that I can photo ongoing projects , and send in an article or two , but my fear is by the time I get the hang of it , my collecting days will be over.
Hope to see you at Stanfield if you’re coming.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Arrived safe and well , you’re doing an A1 job Robert , nice wide range of articles.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

David , you’re spot on , “shock” is almost always the best method of parting a taper , quite why Villiers went for their method often has me wondering. Perhaps the original poster will get back to us and confirm exactly what has happened.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Dave , if you’re saying the nut turns freely(by that I mean continuously) , it is more than likely stripped thread in the nut itself , seldom if ever will it strip the crankshaft thread. I’ve had this happen before , and it boils down to how much time and money you are preparde to throw at it. I have managed to cut the flywheel off , but it takes great care so as not to damage the crank. I can personally vouch for the new coils from villiersparts , they produce a better spark than the ones I used to fit as a youngster when working for a villiers agent , same as his condeners.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

It’s a shame you didn’t post before trying to remove your flywheel , we could have helped with that. They are “self pulling” ,the nut will loosen , then go tight again , then use a CORRECT size socket and hammer to continue undoing the nut and it will pull the flywheel off , if you have one , an impact gun will do it in seconds but it sounds as if it is too late for that. Any flywheel from a 25c will fit and do the job , although the original Allen ones had a centrifugal govenor cam fitted , they will work OK without it. George at villiersparts may have something that will do the job , other than that it’s a matter of keeping your eye out for a secondhand one.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

To me they appear to be from two different machines , the plough is most certainly much later than 1920s/30s , which I’m sure the engine on your machine is. The cultivator I can’t say I recognise , the mounting brackets on your machine , look homemade to take these implements.
Out of sheer curiosity , have you checked the thread rate on any of the main gearcasings, it may help tell us a bit more.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

What we’re all sure about is the very early engine , however I think a machine of that age would of had steel/cast wheels , the wheels on yours appear to be much later aircraft wheels , also the front weight/tray assy looks decidedly homemade.
Another clue that could help us would be a picture of the plough and cultivator.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Yes David , the engine does seem to have the timing cover that resembles some of the early Raleigh motorcycle engines , that as you correctly say dates from mid 1920s to mid 30s , also a non original Villiers carb. I can’t help but think it’s a Bitsa , but appears to be a reasonably well thought out one.The engine to me is early , but the rest seems much later
I hope I’m corrected , and it proves to be something really rare.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

In over 50yrs of collecting , I can’t say I’ve ever seen one of these , all I can add it is a fourstroke engine and not twostroke. Let’s hope someone can identify what it is.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

They can be lapped in , believe it or not I still use VIM on carb needles , I don’t know if it’s still available.Any such paste is OK , but it MUST be very fine.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

There were different engines on these , usually either BUX or JAP , with a few different carbs , a picture of both your engine and the carb(close-up) and we may well be able to help.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

The simple solution is to put up on the well known auction site , that way you will find out what the current market is really like.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Looks nice , out of curiosity what was the original engine.

Andy.

[andyfrost]

Mine also arrived yesterday , a HUGE well done Robert.

Andy.

[Author]

Posts