classic motorcycle forum

At least one Villiers powered Star survives (sort of). I saw it for sale at the VVMCC Scoresby Swapmeet a few years back. Supposedly restored it wasn't done well plus the original Mk XII-C engine had been swapped out for an earlier MK VI-C retrieved from an Atco lawnmower. 
I've long since learnt it never goes down well telling a hopeful owner that his exotic and rare early Villiers engine is in fact a rather common lawnmower engine. Yes the MK VI-C was only used in motorcycles for 1923 but it survived for many many years afterwards for lawnmower use. Anyway, a surviving Star with incorrect engine is better than no Star at all. I hope its still around.

I too found the Williams notes fascinating and the Velo remarks do tie in well with Phil Irving's autobiography but reading them was a pain as when expanded the page was too big for my computer screen. Manoeuvring them around to read was a pain and I probably missed a few of the more subtle points. Pity about that. 

Not for me, personally.

Elsewhere in the Malvern Star front, I recently came across two frames that I think might be Malvern Stars from the Tom Finnigan era - pre 1920! The bicycle guys have found that Tom Finnigan used the prefix TF on his bicycle frames, so when there are two surviving motorcycle frames (albeit rather different) with prefix TF1... fair guess that they're Malvern Stars? One frame is very AG Healing (Melbourne), and both frames are Aussie built.

Leon

Quote from: R on August 16, 2021, 02:10:55 AM

There's little evidence that Villiers engines were built into locally made frames though.
Photos of any such assembly are in very short supply - even from makers who were reputed to be doing this
Full imports seems to have become the norm in the 1930s and postwar ?

Yes I agree. Mind you, in the 1930s very few Australian firms claimed to be building their own Villiers lightweights. Perhaps only Acme (Bennett & Wood), and I suppose I believe them. The others - Star, Essex, Simplex, Utility, Waratah, B&W Wasp, B&W Hornet, Utility, Cottman Colt (RE), and probably more - were very likely just rebranded imports, although I have an open mind if more info comes to light. It's not very glamorous, but it is part of the story.

Leon

The accompanying notes appear to be an interview with Reg Williams by Peter Jones sourced from his National Library boxes of materials. Reg Williams mentions the Wasp in particular. I am not sure if Peter Jones ever published this anywhere.

That makes 2 of us - spent my $15 and was rewarded with a single page that could have been improved by consulting here.
Ah well, makes for bumper profits on the 1st issue under new management. ??

We'll see if we can tap into that missing page.

Wow, that's a big project for an auto cycle. I reckon you might buy a complete, running Malvern Star for maybe $2-3k, so a restoration like this would have to be a labour of love. Hope someone has fun.

Leon