OT Villiers engines
Submitted: Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 14:31
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brushmarx
Hi all.
I have a 1952 Francis Barnett 250cc Falcon (motor bike) with a Villiers engine.
It hasn't been started for 14 years, and I thought I would drag it out of the shed and try and get it going. So far 2 hours with no luck.
The Villiers has a carburettor with a fuel "tickle button" on the side of it, and the choke is basically a sliding part of the round air filter.
Does anyone know what position the choke slide should be for starting (open, closed or part way) and how many times should the tickle button be pushed?
Fresh fuel is getting through and the spark plugs bites.
Any or all help appreciated before my heart gives out.
Thanks
Ian
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 14:39
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 14:39
U might have flooded it so clean the plug and dry it out and then try it
AnswerID:
327386
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 14:41
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 14:41
Google "villiers motorcycle engines" heaps of info there pick which one is relevant
FollowupID:
594596
Reply By: Notso - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 14:52
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 14:52
If I remember correctly, you "tickle" it till fuel issues from the small hole near the tickle button. The choke should be closed or nearly so.
Have you checked that the plug is actually firing. Unscrew it and earth it on the metal part of the motor somewhere and turn it over a few times and watch for a spark jumping
the gap.
Good luck.
AnswerID:
327387
Follow Up By: Member - Dennis P (Scotland) - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 15:12
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 15:12
Yep, same way I remember it, too.
Once it fires open the choke.
Cheers,
FollowupID:
594599
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 16:17
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 16:17
Just because a plug fires at atmospheric pressure does not mean it will fire under compression. Do you have access to a newer plug? If so try it.
PeterD
FollowupID:
594600
Follow Up By: Notso - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 16:29
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 16:29
Yep, but it's better than feeling the lead for a spark. The compression that these engines get wouldn't have much effect on the spark either.
FollowupID:
594602
Reply By: nomadoz - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 15:18
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 15:18
Check that wasps did not block the exhaust pipe, have seen plenty totaly blocked
AnswerID:
327389
Reply By: brushmarx - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 15:20
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 15:20
I left it for a half hour, tried again, and it gave a cough. Must be getting close.
Plenty of spark, just looks like a fuel problem, probably just flooded.
I will give it another rest and try a bit later.
I need a beer to replace the electrolyte loss.
Thanks for the help.
Ian
AnswerID:
327390
Follow Up By: stefan P & Pee-Wee 50 - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 17:12
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 17:12
"I need a beer to replace the electrolyte loss."
Know how you feel, rebuilt the motor in my bike this week, but would not start. Spent about 5 hours kicking it over trying this and that and running things through my head, like did the rings go on right ect.
It was giving a spark so i guessed it was fine, but the plug must have been damaged as I put a new one in the next day and Bang first kick
Good luck
Stefan
FollowupID:
594605
Reply By: brushmarx - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 17:18
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 17:18
Woo Hoo, it lives
Many kicks, many backfires, but it finally started.
Thanks for the help.
This old bike was allegedly one of a few that were stripped down of lighting etc, and used in the Cage of Death in the
Brisbane Exhibition in the late fifties and early sixties.
The old guy I bought it off about 15 years ago was the mechanic that serviced them (according to him anyway)
A piece of history I was going to "fix up one day".
I guess that day is getting nearer.
Cheers
Ian
AnswerID:
327400
Reply By: Member - Barnray (NSW) - Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 23:28
Saturday, Sep 27, 2008 at 23:28
You have just given me a fright. I do know of the engine because of the name. My Mother's name is the same. and like all engines this size she has a belly full of fuel. Use a compressor to blow out the cylinder and keep trying. The standard procedure I use is choke till you get a cough and then choke off until it runs or retry choke and reduce choking as it warms up.
AnswerID:
327446