classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: BobH on June 05, 2016, 04:34:15 PM

Title: Villiers powered machine
Post by: BobH on June 05, 2016, 04:34:15 PM

I have been asked to identify a pre-war bike which has a Villiers Mk17A engine with engine number BYX833 and frame number C 39545.
From the engine number I can ascertain that it was manufactured around 1935-38 (1934 from Villiers Singles and Twins by Roy Bacon) but i have been unable to identify the frame number in order to identify the bike. The nearest I have come is Excelsior which had frame numbers commencing with a C but apparently Excelsior used the model number as a prefix to the frame number. Could it be a Fanny-B?

Regards
BobH

Title: Re: Villiers powered machine
Post by: murdo on June 05, 2016, 11:35:02 PM

Any pictures Bob?

Title: Re: Villiers powered machine
Post by: BobH on June 06, 2016, 05:36:59 PM

Trying to get some photos of the frame / Bike from the owner. Don't hold your breath.

BobH

Title: Re: Villiers powered machine
Post by: 33d6 on June 07, 2016, 01:04:40 AM

Are you sure the frame number commences C3 and not C5? You broadly describe a 1933 C5 Excelsior and would be far from the first to misread a poorly stamped number.
About this time Excelsior started to stamp frame numbers transversely across the head stock behind the head lamp and are notoriously awkward to read.
Cheers,

Title: Re: Villiers powered machine
Post by: BobH on June 07, 2016, 08:16:36 AM

I will try to get the owner to recheck the frame number and also tell me where on the frame he found it, plus in what orientation was it stamped.

Regrds

BobH