OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Identification of Particular Machines Identification Victa 160cc model Maybe Late 70s or Early 80s?

Hi there.

I am writing from sunny South Africa in the Western Cape. I am busy restoring a Victa 160cc for my brother. It is a runner now. It needed new G4 primer cap, needle, carburetor cap, diaphragm, long spring, new catcher door spring (which I fashioned myself from a engineering shop bought spring which have same thickness- seems the spring has different form and location for overseas market), decomp diapragm and sponge, aircleaner filter and new spark plug.The above items except for catcher door spring and sparkplug I got from eBay from Pushmowerrepair and [Censored] store which I arranged to be sent to my other brothers' son who's living in Sydney, NSW, who sent it all to me in South Africa. I put in new rings which was only available from a national online store Turfmaster.

Now the question is, which model am i working on? I need to know because I intend to make or buy decal stickers for it. My internet research show it could be Victa Mayfair or Monaro but I could be wrong. I include the serial number which is stamped on the top front side of the base. Maybe more information can be gleaned from it- SN 227 101 282. I include photos of the Victa.

PS. Thanks you Outdoorking for the treasure trove of useful information I got to get the Victa running again!

Hi Shaun Hermanus,

That looks to be an export only model not sold in Australia. I have seen others with unusual combinations and unique labels etc on South African models.

The base is the same as the low arch Mayfair and Monaro models as well as store specific brands. I have a K Mart version. I believe the low arch body Mayfair had the 125cc engine and the Monaro the 160cc.

I don't recall seeing the upper spec handles or premium ball bearing wheels with this base as this has.

Good work getting it going from afar. A very good motor.

Thanks MF.

I can already see that this Victa could last another 40 years with some tender loving care. It has the plastic wheel bearing cage with metal balls. Since the mower has more in common with the 125cc Mayfair I was thinking of making stickers that says Victa Mayfair 160cc! What do you think?

Referring back to the serial number I was thinking the last 3 digits of 227 101 282 pointed to February 1982 as manufacturing or assembly date.
If confirmed, I would then go ahead and use the 80s series sticker!

When it comes to serial numbers, others here will have to chime in as I don't know. 82 seems late for this machine but it's maybe possible Victa stretched out this design that far for export at least Some were sold in 1980 here.

I have never seen that height adjuster handle and teeth fitted to this base. Another export feature?

I have a feeling this got a different set of labels to what Australia got, but whatever it was, it's not likely to be reproduced, so may as well run with one of your choosing. It will set it off well.

If you have a look on the cylinder head, there will be 3 numbers - first digits week last digit year

From the number you gave, I would say 227 is 22nd week of 1977

MF, I have seen the exact mower here, it was also a kmart machine. height adjuster the same, but low spec wheels. It most definitely would just come up as 'export model' by the victa code though

And what a beautiful machine they are, they are from a time when quality mattered. I would be all over that just for the motor

Hi Shaun,

Thanks for purchasing from us, Vari**tech (Censored). Pushmowerrepair now supply our Primer Cap, Metal Needle and Float. They might still have the other aftermarket Primer Caps and float(not suitable for new metering lever). Good to see you restoring this old Victa 2-Stroke in South Africa. Could be different model from Australia.

Cheers,
CM