100cc Villiers

Was getting my bikes out for the upcoming move. This bike hasnt seen the light of day for years. Thought I take a few pics. The build is basically finished, just a million little details. The Villiers is driving thru the bottom bracket directly to a clutch on the right side to a 3sp IGH.
I did something I have wanted to do but have never done, is to convert a coaster wheel to a front brake. Notice also where the rear brakes are. Should be a cool old school ride. Its a true 100cc. The old Villiers are smooth, torquey runners that dont rev overly high. The engine is an early 30s and the frame is a 36 Cleveland Welding step thru.This one may reach forty. Will be badly under braked at that speed, will keep it as an easy going 30ish cruiser.

 

[Cannonball3]

Finally this thing is finished! Was more “roughed” out than I remembered. Had to go completely thru the engine. Didnt require much but cleaning the ports and making gaskets. Ran the original carb, but believe since there was no idle adjustment that it was for a fixed rpm usage, as the needle profile was way too rich for low speeds. The vm18 solved that problem. The biggest problem was with the jackshaft run clutch. It engaged at too high an engine speed. After research found a 1000 rpm clutch spring that lowered engagement to a more reasonable 1800. As a MB its pretty cool.
tops out around 28-30 with out pushing it too hard. Engine runs well, starts easily, and idles like a kitten as they say. Is a very smooth runner, owing to the really heavy flywheel. Three speed hub works well with the engines torque/rpm range.

The opinion of the folks in the UK on the engine was its a cycle use unit from the late thirties, as well as is the Cleveland Welding frame. I left the frame as was, all gloss black parts denote new, excepting 40s Bosch head light. Im pleased with it and am glad its done! Was my last build.

 

[DieselTech]

Finally this thing is finished! Was more “roughed” out than I remembered. Had to go completely thru the engine. Didnt require much but cleaning the ports and making gaskets. Ran the original carb, but believe since there was no idle adjustment that it was for a fixed rpm usage, as the needle profile was way too rich for low speeds. The vm18 solved that problem. The biggest problem was with the jackshaft run clutch. It engaged at too high an engine speed. After research found a 1000 rpm clutch spring that lowered engagement to a more reasonable 1800. As a MB its pretty cool.
tops out around 28-30 with out pushing it too hard. Engine runs well, starts easily, and idles like a kitten as they say. Is a very smooth runner, owing to the really heavy flywheel. Three speed hub works well with the engines torque/rpm range.

The opinion of the folks in the UK on the engine was its a cycle use unit from the late thirties, as well as is the Cleveland Welding frame. I left the frame as was, all gloss black parts denote new, excepting 40s Bosch head light. Im pleased with it and am glad its done! Was my last build.

Looks sharp! How bout a small clip of it running/idling. Love to hear it. That bike has nostalgia written all over it. I like it.

 

[Nickt919]

Awesome work….another well done job. If that’s your last build it’s too bad. You do some great work.

 

[Cannonball3]

Thanks ya‘ll

My son is coming for my birthday soon, will try to get him to do a vid.
I think the most enjoyable part of the build was working with the old engine. It was made with old school technology
to last a long time. Must have hundreds of hours on it, yet shows very little wear. So simple and well designed, was a pleasure to get into. It and the Maytag are similar in spirit but from different directions. I think old engines are pretty cool!

 

[Chainlube]

I don't see how you can pedal it though.

 

[Wyatt. A.]

Finally this thing is finished! Was more “roughed” out than I remembered. Had to go completely thru the engine. Didnt require much but cleaning the ports and making gaskets. Ran the original carb, but believe since there was no idle adjustment that it was for a fixed rpm usage, as the needle profile was way too rich for low speeds. The vm18 solved that problem. The biggest problem was with the jackshaft run clutch. It engaged at too high an engine speed. After research found a 1000 rpm clutch spring that lowered engagement to a more reasonable 1800. As a MB its pretty cool.
tops out around 28-30 with out pushing it too hard. Engine runs well, starts easily, and idles like a kitten as they say. Is a very smooth runner, owing to the really heavy flywheel. Three speed hub works well with the engines torque/rpm range.

The opinion of the folks in the UK on the engine was its a cycle use unit from the late thirties, as well as is the Cleveland Welding frame. I left the frame as was, all gloss black parts denote new, excepting 40s Bosch head light. Im pleased with it and am glad its done! Was my last build.

Very cool.

 

[Cannonball3]

Thanks!

 

[Cannonball3]

So the teething stage of the build is over. Most of it centered around jetting the vm18 and finalizing ratios. Amazingly the old Villers was way over jetted with an .8 jet. Took a .65 to get the running right. Has a lot of power especially down low. Idles nicely at just over 1k. Its really what I have been looking for for years. I learned to ride a Harley 165 at the age of 12. I thought it the best thing ever. The old DKW derived engine was a torquey smooth runner, not in a big hurry, but elegant in its behavior. The Villiers is just like it. What a sweet 85yr old engine. The marriage to the old frame is perfect.

Thing is like a fine wine or liquor, to be enjoyed slowly in the manner of machines from earlier times. Its light years different than my Minarellis, from a gentler time.

 

[DieselTech]

So the teething stage of the build is over. Most of it centered around jetting the vm18 and finalizing ratios. Amazingly the old Villers was way over jetted with an .8 jet. Took a .65 to get the running right. Has a lot of power especially down low. Idles nicely at just over 1k. Its really what I have been looking for for years. I learned to ride a Harley 165 at the age of 12. I thought it the best thing ever. The old DKW derived engine was a torquey smooth runner, not in a big hurry, but elegant in its behavior. The Villiers is just like it. What a sweet 85yr old engine. The marriage to the old frame is perfect.

Thing is like a fine wine or liquor, to be enjoyed slowly in the manner of machines from earlier times. Its light years different than my Minarellis, from a gentler time.

Love the looks of that ride Cannonball!! Makes me want to build something similar. Simply nice bike.

 

[Chainlube]

I love those old engines with their long strokes and smooth torque.

Did you see the video on making the new metal look like patina for that carb?