OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Other Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Villiers Villager 70cc 3G.

Hey Guys,

Along With 2 Rotos and a Model 5, I Picked up this little beastie.

Its a 57 Villiers Villager 16" 70cc 3G.

Its still retains 95% of its original parts which are in pretty good nick.
Was told it was a runner....But after stripping down the electrics, servicing the carb and cleaning the tank...I cannot see how!

Ht lead corroded, points corroded, ht socket spilt carby blocked fuel tank 1" Thick with gum and tap blocked.

Cleaned and degreased Mower.
Serviced electrics carb tank and tap. Replaced muffler with one from spares (original needs the seam rebrazed) remade throttle cable and control and ran a System cleaner through the engine. Point set rebuilt coil tested and cleaned, then electrics reset.

All ready to go compression is ok.

10 pulls and nothing....rechecked electics. All good.
Pulled the plug and shes dry and no fume.
No fuel, why? Carb is perfect and set.
Pulled the manifold. ...Sighs, NO gasket!

New gasket fitted. Ready to go again. First pull and she lights up then dies..another few pulls and shes up and running....What a little weapon!!!

I swear this thing revs to 8k! And so smooth....

Now im gonna strip her, enhance it cosmetically, keeping it as original as possible New gaskets seal and rings coming....


This is now gonna be my new backyard mower....Old school charm with Modern mulching blade plate underneath....shhhh. lols.

So Anyways She is a Goer NOW! Just gets me why people need to lie as there was no way in this lifetime he had it running!
All ready

Looks great, I bet you will get some looks mowing the lawn with it

Hi Blue, Chris125 and ODK members,

It's very nice to see a vintage as an every day goer.
This one would have been painted "Hammertone Gold" (from the photos).
They would have had to have issued sun glasses with it

All very interesting.
-----------------------------------
JACK.

Agreed Mate...

I have 8 unrestored Runners, all from original Owners. They are the favourites of my collection, as I love them best in this way...

Yes thats correct Jack....Black and Gold, but its a deep bronze gold.

One thing I hate on any machinery is GOLD!

This Model came in Hammered Gold, Hammered Forest Green and Forrest Green Enamel.

If I do have a change of heart it WILLTransform into Green....

Maybe yellow?

I should point out that this engine is commonly seen without it's fan / cover , it sure looks better.

Hey Al,

This is just the baby of the family mate:)..It only came in HT Gold And HT Forrest Green.

Your Vampire However definately came in Yellow and Red...and runs the Mk 2 midget, wheras mine has the 3G.

Vampire is basically a std in flashy clothes...(Red or Yellow).

Beautiful example mate, nothing out of place..Original muffler, (Very Rare) and the Dual cooling cowl too...:)

And I agree...They look much better without their helmets

Why did my post not change...grrr

Sorry Al....Id prefer to keep this original colour. Since I detest gold ill have to go green...
Like I dont have enough green mowers!!!

But Yes, Id love to do My Vampire in the same Yellow as yours, But ive got the Red. I still might go Yellow with the same wheels,as my Vamp needs a full resto...

Question..Ive used those wheels in red, never seen them in another colour? Did you paint them white or find them in white?


Cheers...

Hi Al, and what a brilliant looking machine...another faultless restoration mate....Awesome!

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you and yours mate. We must catch up again soon for a chat mate...

Wheels were replaced with new ones by me ,I don't know why ,LOL ,there seemed to be a touch of a pale colour on the old ones. The new colour is actually a light grey .
The old wheels are on display in my museum/shed.

I suppose that I could have used the wheels off my other Vampire , would have been a challenge !!!

That is one Awesome relic! Love it...

The wheels on both yours are/were original lols (the metal ones) Impressive repairs, talk abot getting the most out of them!

The pale traces you found should have been Yellow...Same colour as your base:)

My meaning with the wheels was, were did you get them? Ive only seen them in red and they suit these mowers.

Both your vamps must be very early since they have the metal wheels.

My vamp has metal also, and the wheels on my 70 are original to, just the next generation had plastic.

I nearly bought a minter in similar cond to your relic, but something happened to the sale and it dissapeared 30 mins before Auctions end.

For anyone interested in old school repairs, this may be of Interest.

"PLEASE ENSURE YOU CLEAN AND DEFUME ANY FUEL TANK OR RELATED FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS BEFORE CARRYING OUT ANY REPAIRS....IF YOUR UNSURE, DONT ATTEMPT IT!

I split this tank for a few reasons.

It was Crushed underneath, the bung was weeping and their was a seam crack. Also its near impossible to find another... Ive only ever seen one tank for seperate sale, and that was years ago.

I was hoping to keep its patina, and thankfully the paint was so baked on I lost very little.

There was crazing on the lower section around the bung from a build up of stale fuel muck that had leached into the copper.

I Split the tank then panel beated back to shape hoping it wasnt going to be to brittle. For the most part it held together nicely without splitting.

lead lined the corroded area, retinned all the joints...some sections had dry joints so it was inevitable it was going to leak on the seem very soon.

Retinned the filler and reinforced, resolder both halves then reinforeced the bung with a copper washer and soldered.

Tested fine and probably stronger than new.

Just need to give the lower a final linish then re-age the copper and lead then fit her up.

Total Repair time 90 mins.

Hi Mal, and my on excellent work there mate...it has come up a treat!

Hi Mal, Deejay and ODK members and guests

Yeah, it's not often that we get to see these things.
In my view, the Villager fuel tank was the most handsome of this type.
And good advice given to repair by Blue.
Al's restoration of an early Villager is just . . . stunning!

--------------------------------
JACK.

Hi all, and Thanks Guys,

Agreed,It is a pretty cool tank wasnt sure what People can and cant do in regards to repairs. Its one of many old skills that im forunate enough to have learnt. Id like to see more of the old school repairs adopted by members as it gives a greater insight into how things were done. But in saying this ive seen some great tips on repairs for many things by members here.

And Id have to agree, al's small machines restorations are among the best.

Just like its big brother, The Villger 70 lightweight was also offered in The "Vampire" form.