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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: March 22, 2026, 11:11:50 AM »
Interesting, I always thought the petrol engine would require more finning because it burns hotter than cool running dope.
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British Bikes / Re: Villiers battery charging system ?
« on: December 02, 2025, 10:53:32 AM »
He may of fitted a cheap chinese reg/rectifier, and that headlight looks like an indian Lucas with a LED bulb to be that bright. I've done similar with my 1929 FB with no lighting coils. I fitted a 45 watt dynamo and made a 12v regulator for it, coupled with 12v bulbs all round, even a brake light. Not concours or to spec but very rideable.
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British Bikes / Re: Villiers battery charging system ?
« on: November 21, 2025, 12:12:12 PM »
The rectifier would be of the selenium type which would have a fair bit of internal resistance also lowering the DC output. Maybe Villiers accidentally invented the first regulator/rectifier. 🤔😁
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British Bikes / Re: Villiers 196 super sports
« on: November 08, 2025, 02:19:24 PM »
Thanks Leon for the info, sounds like it's a device peculiar to Villiers. I'm ignorant to the ways of Villiers and even 2 strokes in general, a D14 bantam is my only experience and that was years ago. I think I'll take your advice and lower the compression.
Thanks.
Keith
Thanks.
Keith
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British Bikes / Re: Villiers 196 super sports
« on: November 08, 2025, 09:09:56 AM »
I find the engine so difficult to get over compression that I think a release would be kinder on my knee. I can start my dbd34 easier than this one. One other question I have, Browning's book mentions an inertia ring fitted. I've not come across this term before, what and where is it fitted ? If this was omitted, could that be the cause of the high compression ? Thanks for your comments.
Keith.
Keith.
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British Bikes / Re: Villiers 196 super sports
« on: November 07, 2025, 05:27:48 PM »
It's a not a great pic but the rain here (Cornwall, England) is teeming down but I hope it may give a clue.
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British Bikes / Villiers 196 super sports
« on: November 06, 2025, 03:20:32 PM »
Hi, I'm trying to identify what this 196 engine might have been fitted to originally, at the moment it's fitted into my built like a bridge frame. It looks like the standard super sport engine but has no decompressor and no provision for lighting coils or oil feed. Engine no is KZB 179 definitely a B and not an 8. Although it starts and runs well, I'm having trouble kicking it over compression and all the heads I've seen have a drilling between the exhaust ports. I'm thinking of drilling and fitting a Royal Enfield decompressor but don't want to ruin what might be a rare head. Any thoughts please?
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British Bikes / Re: AJS 16M 1951
« on: July 22, 2025, 09:19:36 AM »
Is it possible the crank moved while working on the gasket?
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British Bikes / Re: Ariel Arrow?
« on: June 12, 2025, 10:39:21 AM »
Looks like someone's scratch built rectifier, good effort but easier nowadays to to buy a standard bridge rectifier.
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British Bikes / Re: A10 front brake cables
« on: April 05, 2025, 09:49:38 AM »
I have a cheap 240v chineseium solder pot, splay the cable strands, dip into the Baker's fluid and into the molten plumbers solder. Allow to cool then a good clean to get rid of the corrosive Baker's fluid and trim off any wayward splayed strands etc. The pot is also useful for soldering wiring bullet connectors but using wiring solder and non-corrosive flux.
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British Bikes / Re: James ML with no spark
« on: December 16, 2024, 03:33:35 PM »
It may be me and the angle it's pictured but the two wire terminals look like they are under the screw head rather than between the insulating washer and contact carrier.
12
British Bikes / Re: 196 super sport inlet manifold
« on: October 23, 2024, 07:42:30 PM »
I had to use the large horn so it could be heard over the exhaust.😁
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British Bikes / Re: 196 super sport inlet manifold
« on: October 23, 2024, 06:20:45 PM »
Yes shim stock, .1mm thick. Here's before and after pics, I didn't want to repaint the tank because I'd lose that originality so have done little cosmetically on any of the bike.
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British Bikes / Re: 196 super sport inlet manifold
« on: October 22, 2024, 03:32:53 PM »
Update in case someone else might find it useful. I curled a 3/4" x 10" strip of 316 (a4) stainless into a 7" circle and wound it inside the carb. It's springiness held it tight to the outside and tried the fit, it was too tight so kept removing 1/2" of length until it was a snug fit. Carb is now tight with no air leaks and engine running sweet. Many thanks to all for your suggestions.
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British Bikes / Re: 196 super sport inlet manifold
« on: October 17, 2024, 10:34:07 AM »
I too worried about electrolytic action between brass and alloy so have ordered stainless shim (I never thought about a drinks can). This combination seems to work on marine equipment fairly well. I did notice in the kit of spares is a bronze manifold but this would seem to carry the carb at a odd angle but is worth digging out and checking again. Thanks all for your input, I now have a few avenues to try.