classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: Evdemon on November 08, 2011, 02:05:57 PM

Title: Villiers 197 9e / Coventry eagle
Post by: Evdemon on November 08, 2011, 02:05:57 PM

Hi i have a villiers 197 9e engine  and am looking for a frame to put it in. I have seen a coventry eagle silent superb on ebay. I know i would need to do some modifications to fit it but can anyone give me the the frame dimentions in particularly where the engine would sit? I don't want to bid if i hve to start cutting the main frame.

 Many thanks Heath

ps the frame is at the address below

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320787436650#ht_500wt_1287

(http://)

Title: Re: Villiers 197 9e / Coventry eagle
Post by: R on November 08, 2011, 05:08:49 PM

Why not just ask the seller for the engine-frame dimensions- if he knows you actually have an engine then you are a serious bidder !  Not much time left...

The problem you are going to instantly meet though is that your engine is likely to have a semi-unit gearbox (bolted to the back of the motor), whereas that ebay frame expects an entirely separate Albion and engine. So rather than 'cutting the frame' you are going to have an engine/gearbox sitting in a rather spacious frame, needing some rather large (custom) engine plates all around...  Hope this helps.

Title: Re: Villiers 197 9e / Coventry eagle
Post by: Robertriley on November 08, 2011, 05:51:07 PM

The Coventry Eagle you are looking at is from the 1930s.  It is hard to find and they came with 150 and 250cc Villiers motors.  If I lived out there I'd pick up the CE and find a motor for it.  The Villiers motors a pretty common and were used in other British bikes at the time.  I picked up a 150cc Villiers the other day off of EBay.  If you like what the bike looks like and are going to keep it, I go for it. 

Title: Re: Villiers 197 9e / Coventry eagle
Post by: Rex on November 08, 2011, 06:17:07 PM

£102 at the moment..well worth that, although presumably it will go higher yet.

Title: Re: Villiers 197 9e / Coventry eagle
Post by: Robertriley on November 08, 2011, 06:47:23 PM

Here are some pictures of mine to motivate you.   :)

I hope the link works


http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/album.php?albumid=377

Title: Re: Villiers 197 9e / Coventry eagle
Post by: Evdemon on November 08, 2011, 11:57:20 PM

Hi all, many thanks for the replies , very helpful.  Yes i have asked the seller but he has not replied also the engine was my fathers, he used to race go-carts with it and as we both love classic bikes just thought it would be nice to make an old bike with it.

Again many thanks

Heath

Title: Re: Villiers 197 9e / Coventry eagle
Post by: Bomber on November 09, 2011, 01:34:43 AM

Looks like it has the wrong forks, but it is the basis for an interesting restortion.