98cc Villiers on a 1945 Sears Roebuck

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Harold_B

Harold_B

Active Member
May 23, 2012
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Grand Rapids, MI
So it's been quite a while since I've posted although I've been "around" and I've stayed busy. I'm just getting started on a build using a frame I bought about a year ago. It's a '45 Sears Roebuck made by Elgin. My understanding is that it's a fairly uncommon bike but I intend to hack it up anyway. The down tube is dented and the non-drive side stays are bent, the original paint is gone and it's been black powder coated. There's way too much work and money to put into a restore that it wouldn't be worth it so why not. I also have a section of a mid 1930's Elgin step through frame that I'm planing to use as a donor to replace that dented down tube. I recall someone using the top tube of a step through as the down tube in a drop loop type frame. That's what I'm going for.
Just this week I finally scored an engine that I thought would be appropriate for the bike and the vintage. It's a 1950ish Villiers 98cc two cycle. I plan to hunt down the S/N for more information although the seller said he brought it over from Australia. My guess is it was originally used on a reel type mower. The photo is from the eBay ad. Any tips on these engines would be appreciated as would pointers on welding/brazing in the frame section.


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Here's the frame. Rear facing drop outs and rear standard mounts too.

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Thought this would be just as good a place as any to accumulate links:

eBay source with frequent Villiers and vintage parts:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/toys4dwb2?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1481...34467/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1381...56377/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/groups/489195994594350/

Villiers parts and reference:
http://www.villiersparts.co.uk/
http://www.g1jbg.co.uk/autoculto/pdf/viliersmidget.pdf
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0596.htm
http://www.communitywebs.org/Adelai...dicks-articles/36-villiers-engines-part-1.pdf
http://www.communitywebs.org/Adelai...ks-articles/39-villiers-engine-part-2--1-.pdf
http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/sites/default/files/opmanual/Atco 172055.pdf
http://www.outdoorking.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=47262&page=1
http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/sites/default/files/opmanual/Atco Standard.pdf
http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/makehelp/atco/date
http://www.tanygraig.force9.co.uk/John/vil2strokes.htm
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjsxO_HqZHLAhVT3GMKHbeVDuQ4ChAWCBwwAQ&url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/atco-engine&usg=AFQjCNHyUZkG6wDnku6XtRuWk6AQuRz9Dg
http://www.villiers.info/index.php
http://www.tanygraig.force9.co.uk/John/vil2strokes.htm
https://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/book/export/html/247

British hardware:
http://britishfasteners.com

Gas/oil mix recommendations:
http://motorbicycling.com/showpost.php?p=632782&postcount=138

Other Villiers build threads here and elsewhere:
http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=47993
http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/villiers-beach-cruiser.38978/
http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=30828
http://me-moto.com/custom-built-motorcycles/220551-villiers-midget-98-cc-engine-motorbikes.html
http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=50335
http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=60868

Albion gearbox parts and reference:
http://www.barnstormers.co.nz/?s=Albion&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Search
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiNqtiR_vfKAhVJ32MKHQiIDtUQFgg0MAQ&url=http://www.british-motorcycle-parts.com/Albion_Gearbox_Manuals.html&usg=AFQjCNFaRhIR97rW3kPNqxcXdTaGWmenPw
 
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Harold_B

Harold_B

Active Member
May 23, 2012
997
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Grand Rapids, MI
Hey, thanks Moto. Long time. Posted the engine I had bought from you some time ago and it sold within a couple of hours. The gent happened to be looking for a Lifan for some time so it's going to make someone happy. I think that's cool.

Another thing I could use is a tip on using a 1-1/8 threadless fork on this 1" threaded sized frame. Either I need a headset adapter or maybe I just go with a vintage fork. I'm still investigating this one.
 
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silverbear

silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
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So glad you're doing this build. I'm both a fan of the old Elgin bikes and the Villiars 98cc 2 stroke. I have a build nearly roadworthy using that engine in a 1934 Elgin 4 star step through frame using a Tomos moped suspension fork and a three speed rear hub with shift kit parts from SBP. So, you can guess that I'll be following your build with great interest. Setting up the frame as you envision it will give you a lot more room for mounting your engine with the more swooping down tube. I'm also using that engine on a hybrid trike. No doubt you'll be done with your build before I finish either one of mine.

A couple of years ago an Australian formum member built a beach cruiser using that Villiars Midget engine which turned out very cool. Harry76 I think his forum name was. Curt will remember it. Intrepid Wheelwoman is also enamored ot that engine and can probably give you some good advice regarding its care and feeding. Good luck with your build and give us lots of pictures.
SB
 
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Harold_B

Harold_B

Active Member
May 23, 2012
997
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Grand Rapids, MI
Thanks for the link Curt. As always I'm amazed and just a bit intimidated by SB's projects. The willingness to share the experience from beginning to end is something special as well.

In my noodling about the web for info I came upon this thread over at RatRodBikes that you had commented on as well. Another great looking ride with a Villiers Midget: http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/villiers-beach-cruiser.38978/

I have every intention of benchmarking these projects. They're well done. Not what I have in mind exactly but there are many ideas and solutions I will need. Any other links are appreciated!
 
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Harold_B

Harold_B

Active Member
May 23, 2012
997
246
43
Grand Rapids, MI
Hey SB! Long time. I just read the entire trike thread start to finish and was typing the reply to Curt when you posted. The link I posted to RatRotBikes is the one you referenced I do believe.

The oil for the oil/gas mixture for vintage two strokes was a great piece of information. Thank you very much for posting that!
 
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