dateing a villiers

[Barry]

Hi
does anyone know where to find info on early villiers engines.
this one is fitted to a Waratah, and has the number  L9170 on the left side.

any help would be great.

Thanks
Barry

[m3bobby]

Theres this site but it dosn't recognise your engine number.

http://www.isdm.co.uk/villiersinfo/engineAsp/index.htm

[BEAMA]

HI BARRY,
THE FIRST VILLIERS 2 STROKE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1913.
WITH THE NUMBER YOU GIVE THE L PREFIX WAS FOR THE 147cc MARK VII-C MADE IN 1923.CAST IRON PISTON AND FIXED GUDGEON PIN, ONE PIECE CYLINDER AND HEAD WITH A COMPRESSION RELEASE VALVE.
WHAT IS A WARATAH ? I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT.

BEAMA

[Barry]

Hi Beama

Your description of the engine is 100% correct!

So it was made in 1923? that also seems more likely than the 1915 date I'd been given before, all I have to do now is convince the owners.

A Waratah is a Australian assembled motorcycle, with villiers motor and albion two speed gearbox and no clutch, but also no kick starter or pedals either.

Bye the way if the albion box has a number can that be dated? in case the motor was changed some time in the last 85 years, hardly likely but you never know!

Cheers
Barry

[33d6]

Hi Barry,
The Mk VII-C was available for both 1923 & 24. Your 2 speed box without clutch was original equipment and I've not ever seen anything on dating vintage Albion boxes. I'd like to know how to date Albion boxes myself.
The engine runs much sweeter if you fit a lighter alloy piston in place of the original cast iron one.
New alloy replacement pistons complete with rings and gudgeon pin are readily available from JP Pistons over in South Oz. They are intended for the later Mk25C 147 Villiers engine but are otherwise identical to the earlier Mk VII-C .
Cheers, Bob
I've had one in my 2 speed Excelsior for some time now and am very happy with the result.

[Barry]

Thanks to m3bobby, Beama, 33d6 and Bob for your answers, you guys have been very helpful!

Barry

[Barry]

And I've just realised that 33d6 and Bob are one and the same!

What a plonker am I!!!!!!!!!!!!