98cc Villiers on a 1945 Sears Roebuck

And yet another option for a fork would be one from a moped. I've used several in builds. The one I'm using on the 1934 Elgin (Sears) build is from a Tomos moped.
SB
 
MotoMagz said:
Yep weather was great 65 over here...back to winter today. Have you seen the fork in Labrats Jonny 5 post. It's like the Ruff fork but cheaper. You would have to check details but it's another option.
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Thanks for the reminder on that fork. I have searched that sellers stuff several times (cnolmotorsport) but have come up short on the fork. Perhaps I'll have to shoot him an email. I'm also interested in the tank he has listed. Not sure if it could be modified to fit my frame or not though.
 
silverbear said:
And yet another option for a fork would be one from a moped. I've used several in builds. The one I'm using on the 1934 Elgin (Sears) build is from a Tomos moped.
SB
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I have been keeping an eye on my local CL but have come up empty. It seems like moped parts or even project bikes are fetching good prices around here unless they are complete junk. Fortunately I'm in no hurry so a reasonable deal might pop up at some point. I'm keeping my options open although I have mental image of what I want.
 
I've been looking at those too Curt. Anything that's not a scooter is considered a vintage collectors item around here. Rusted out non-running junk goes routinely for $300 plus. Sooner or later a solution will drop into my lap.
 
Those are awesome builds Curt. Thanks for the links. I agree SB, lot of good stuff on eBay. Just bought new forks on the 'bay. I'll need to unload the headset I had bought for using the Felt forks on my vintage frame as well as the Abraham Linkage forks themselves, then start shopping for a stem and headset. One step forward?
 
Not meaning to jack the thread Just thought I throw in as a fellow Villiers builder. Have been looking for an engine for a while.

I just bought a 98cc Villiers from the same seller as yours on ebay. It was sold as a 1940.
I have searched the net for images of these engines and have not seen a similar engine but once and it was slightly different. It was in a sales brochure
from 1927. Not that it really matters These engines are cool no matter the year.

It has the dog dish flywheel cover which was trashed. I have ordered one from England. Will have to fab the exhaust. Dave was kind enough to turn down a stub of exhaust tubing to fit the outlet and I will take it from there.

This will end up in a 1930s Cleveland Welding step thru frame.

SB will think I am copying his Velocipede, and admittedly it will be similar. I even have a NOS K100 front end. Not sure if I will use it though.
I recently became fond of using the step thrus. Really keeps the engine as the focal point. That's about as far as this build has gotten.

I will probably do a thread when I start the build.
I'm away from home now or I would post a pic.
 
Thanks HB! Heres a link to my engine. I paid $175 shipped not the $400 in this listing.

Its listed as a CYZ. Google turns up almost nothing on it. There were a few CYZs found in small motorcycles, but the cylinders have the plug offset to one side. Doesn't really matter am just trying to establish a year. That's a 2piece spark plug by the way. Still works!

Thanks for the Villiers link. I had not seen it before.

http://me-moto.com/custom-built-motorcycles/220551-villiers-midget-98-cc-engine-motorbikes.html
 
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Thanks for posting the interesting link, Harold. I was looking for the same head configuration as my two midgets, but mine are different. The cylinder heads are the same as on this 1950 Atco mower. The exhaust muffler is different on my trike, but the same as this one on the Velocipede. Me right leg is going to be on the stinky side and possibly oily looking. If it is too bad I'll make up a different exhaust manifold and pipe, but I kind of like the primitive simplicity of this one as it helps make the statement of "vintage".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KtXwg3mupc
SB
 
cannonball2 said:
Thanks HB! Heres a link to my engine. I paid $175 shipped not the $400 in this listing.

Its listed as a CYZ. Google turns up almost nothing on it. There were a few CYZs found in small motorcycles, but the cylinders have the plug offset to one side. Doesn't really matter am just trying to establish a year. That's a 2piece spark plug by the way. Still works!

Thanks for the Villiers link. I had not seen it before.

http://me-moto.com/custom-built-motorcycles/220551-villiers-midget-98-cc-engine-motorbikes.html
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As a guess from the stuff I have found on the net it would seem your engine is a 1945. I'll post all of the info I can get my hands on!
 
silverbear said:
Thanks for posting the interesting link, Harold. I was looking for the same head configuration as my two midgets, but mine are different. The cylinder heads are the same as on this 1950 Atco mower. The exhaust muffler is different on my trike, but the same as this one on the Velocipede. Me right leg is going to be on the stinky side and possibly oily looking. If it is too bad I'll make up a different exhaust manifold and pipe, but I kind of like the primitive simplicity of this one as it helps make the statement of "vintage".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KtXwg3mupc
SB
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I'll watch this when I'm not at my desk. My associates just don't get as excited about two stroke videos as I do! The exhaust on my engine comes straight out the front meaning I'll need all the extra space the new down tube gives me. The exhaust will need to go to one side or the other fairly quickly.
 
Thanks for the links HB!

The lawnmower guys are some pretty serious hobbyists!

After looking at about a zillion images of Villiers The only other engine similar to mine is in the first link in your post #114, figure 8. Wow, I cant believe how eroded the cylinder fins are on my engine!

Are you basing the 1945 year on the #s on the flywheel? It does seem to possibly be a date code. I have found dealing with Maytags that the date coded flywheels on them get swapped around sometimes. You can only then estimate the age by some of the differences in the engines themselves.

I cant understand why this engine is so obscure. Its certainly no big deal its just got my curiosity up.
 
My organization of links and documents is pretty much an obsession when it comes to work but my own interests are a mess! I can't find the link where the date codes were broken down that date the engines but yes the date code on the flywheel is my guess. You are probably correct that it would be a matter of luck that the flywheel is original after 60-90 years of service. I have found a bunch more links many from the mower aficionados for the engines, carbs, and mowers including part 1 of the previously linked article.

http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/sites/default/files/opmanual/Atco 172055.pdf

http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/sites/default/files/opmanual/Atco Standard.pdf

http://www.communitywebs.org/Adelai...dicks-articles/36-villiers-engines-part-1.pdf

http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/makehelp/atco/date

http://www.tanygraig.force9.co.uk/John/vil2strokes.htm

The fins on my engine are a lot thinner than the reference photos as well. One had broken off somewhere in its history. Knowing they made a few million of these engines makes me feel that it's OK to clean them up and make them shine including removing the remaining broken fin edges. I've been smoothing out the casting ridges and buffing up the brass and aluminum until it's warm enough the paint the cylinder.
 
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Watched the video SB. I'll be keeping an eye out for a complete mower now! That would make taking care of my yard so much more fun. I'm planning on having an exhaust that dumps out behind me. I just used a two cycle snow blower on the drive and I smell like exhaust fumes. I also want the bike to be as quiet as possible for buzzing around the more remote areas without startling the wildlife.
 
More great links, Thanks!

I you will indulge me I will post a pic of the beginnings of my build. All other postings will be in the build thread in the future. I'm in the middle of another build so this one will be down the road.

I got home today for a few days and my CWC frame had arrived. I laid the engine and frame out and the fit is perfect. I didnt receive the rear mounts so will have to fab some. I cut the wheel mounts off a boat trailer jack a few months back to use for just some situation like this. I will use the CG bomb muffler as a basis for the exhaust. Will rearrange the outlet to dump further under the bike. This is actually going to be a light motorcycle in the vein of the cheaper Villiers powered bikes. The reduction will be through the bottom bracket. I like SB will be running a 3sp, but an IGH. I plan on a jackshaft driven centrifugal clutch driving from the right side. Really had to do some #crunching on ratios to make this work.

Any way enough of jacking your thread HB! Thanks for your help with all the info you have run down.

Heres a link with a CYZ engine like mine. A bit down the page in the small 98cc Coventry Eagle.

http://cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/coventry-eagle.htm
 

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