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Topics - Vreagh

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British Bikes / Tiger cub valve timing.
« on: April 19, 2026, 06:04:19 PM »
Heading into my ninth decade and recovering from two new knees, I been off the bikes for over a year. I thought I'd start small so dug out my tiger cub to help build up the leg strength again. I can't even kick the cub over. Tried the usual tricks, thicker head gasket and longer kickstart but still no joy. Other than drilling a hole in piston, I was wondering if retarding the valve timing one tooth might reduce the peak compression allowing me to get it over. I realise performance may suffer but hopfully it will only be temporary until my strength is back. Do members think it's worth a try ?

2
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 / 196 super sport inlet manifold
« on: October 15, 2024, 05:10:52 PM »
I'm having a few teething problems with my 1930 Francis Barnet Black Hawk. It's proving difficult to tighten the Villiers carb onto the manifold. I had self amalgamation tape on originally but this  dissolves in the fuel. I tried a 1mm plastic sleeve which was too thick also .5mm thick shrink sleeving, also too thick. The manifold doesn't appear worn ( still has casting marks) but is around .5mm under size and the carb clamp can't close enough. Was there a .25 sleeve originally? Any suggestions gratefully received.         

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British Bikes / 30s Francis Barnett
« on: March 24, 2022, 07:40:13 PM »
Well thanks to the input from forum members, my Fanny B is finally done and on the road. I bought it as the remains of a 1930 Black Hawk but the FB club has verified it as a 1934 Falcon. I find it a little strange that a date and model is verified by the detachable and exchangeable front forks, I think my seller just picked up the wrong forks. The teflon ring I replaced the clutch bearing with is holding up well. The stainless exhausts were quite challenging, the pipes were made from our old swimming pool slide handrail (With a lot of heating and bending. The stainless silencers were made from standard pipe fittings off ebay. The shine was removed to try to match the unrestored patina of the rest of the bike. The bike's  a bit of a mongrel but it'll do me. Pics of before and after.

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British Bikes / Tuning villiers carb
« on: July 20, 2021, 11:33:38 AM »
When assembling a mk2 single cable Villiers carburetter, is there any set number of turns to the mixture control for the first start. It seems that when the cable in in place, the mixture can only be turned just short of a full turn. Or have I got this wrong?

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British Bikes / Vintage Albion clutch.
« on: April 26, 2021, 07:44:02 PM »
Hi, I'm progressing well with a FB black hawk but am puzzled by the clutch. It was a ball of rust but has dismantled fairly well until I came to remove the drive plate. Presumably it's the usual Albion large ball race but there's no large circlip or provision for one. The clutch is locked solid but the plates can be "sprung" a little apart. I imagine the large bearing is seized. I've left the clutch on the mainshaft to enable a bit of leverage. I cannot find an exploded view but am wondering if it necessary to gain access by the rear. I'd be greatful for any information.

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British Bikes / Villiers 196 super sports
« on: March 27, 2021, 02:36:02 PM »
Hi, starting to reassemble a Francis Barnett Black Hawk with a 196 super sport engine, and I'm not sure if a head gasket should be fitted. I've tried Villers Spares but no reply. Is it simply a lap job?

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