Allen Scythe

[KemppiFrog]

So, I bought this a while back, as an idea to keep the jungle out back down. The previous owner had bought a new ignition kit for circa £100 but was in the process of moving, so needed to offload projects.
I had one back in Norfolk in the early 70s and it was great, with some foibles..Kick back, tricky to start etc
So, had a go at the half done fix, but decided to convert to a Honda 4T, that was handy in the back of the w/shop (likely for 20 yrs..)
I was tempted to use the crank case of the Villiars 2T to carry the shaft for the toothed belt that will drive it from the Honda, but I am now feeling bad about trashing a perfectly good engine that someone would/might love.
I can make a bearing carrier that could replace the whole Villiars bit, but a lot more work...
Any thoughts...

Ambilavent from France..

 

[hermetic]

You could rebuild the villiers, provided it needs no major parts, and run it, and if it proves to be unreliable, convert it during the winter months. The most unreliable part of the whole set up is the ignition, and if you have the replacement kit, why not? the only thing I would also check and replace are the crankcase seals. A long time since I had one, but as you say, when running right, they can really do some work!
Phil

 

[Mick Annick]

Sell the Energic to a good home to fund the work required on the Allen scythe, I can help...

 

[KemppiFrog]

Sell the Energic to a good home to fund the work required on the Allen scythe, I can help...

Wot, are you on 10% comission?

Good try, but that is needed for other work..

The Villiars doesn't want to spark, despite the new kit and the Honda looks to be a good runner.

 

[Seadog]

What is the ignition kit, a full electronic conversion?

 

[zeppelin builder]

easy fix! just hook up an external 12v car coil and use the existing points , condensor of any car type mounted outside as well !
small battery in toolbox
will run for hours on a full charge and start just looking at it

 

[nicko868]

Wot, are you on 10% comission?

Good try, but that is needed for other work..

The Villiars doesn't want to spark, despite the new kit and the Honda looks to be a good runner.

had an allen sythe a few years back, cracking bit of kit, currently trying to get my barford atom up and running again, it has a similar spark issue.

 

[Migmac]

The Allen sythe I used had sat for years. It wouldn’t run, new plug lead and away it went. Keep it original. They do have a design fault though. If the end of the cutting bar catches on something, the handle is the right height to whack you in the family jewels!

 

[KemppiFrog]

What is the ignition kit, a full electronic conversion?

Nope, just a replacement coil and contacts.

 

[KemppiFrog]

easy fix! just hook up an external 12v car coil and use the existing points , condensor of any car type mounted outside as well !
small battery in toolbox
will run for hours on a full charge and start just looking at it

Yes, that did occur to me, used it before and I might now, as the drive gear is refusing to come off the crank. No keyway, is it shrunk on?

 

[Mick Annick]

Wot, are you on 10% comission?

Good try, but that is needed for other work..

The Villiars doesn't want to spark, despite the new kit and the Honda looks to be a good runner.

No,I just want an Energic!

 

[Seadog]

£100? I've seen parts for a lot less than that. I suppose the flywheel magnets have lost their magnetism. I'd go down the route suggested by Zepp. They're worth more if they're original. A lot less hassle, too.

 

[KemppiFrog]

£100? I've seen parts for a lot less than that. I suppose the flywheel magnets have lost their magnetism. I'd go down the route suggested by Zepp. They're worth more if they're original. A lot less hassle, too.

It did sound a lot, but that was what he said. Seen the kit for £75 on line. Flywheel magnets are OK. Right about the hassle, plenty of other jobs to do. Only paid €50 for it;
Just looking at a spare coil from the Twingo, needs a quick experiment as it has three terminals and the works manual has gone walkies.

 

[zeppelin builder]

Nope, just a replacement coil and contacts.

condensor is a square tin thing behind the points , but can be mounted outboard

 

[octo0072000]

So, I bought this a while back, as an idea to keep the jungle out back down. The previous owner had bought a new ignition kit for circa £100 but was in the process of moving, so needed to offload projects.
I had one back in Norfolk in the early 70s and it was great, with some foibles..Kick back, tricky to start etc
So, had a go at the half done fix, but decided to convert to a Honda 4T, that was handy in the back of the w/shop (likely for 20 yrs..)
I was tempted to use the crank case of the Villiars 2T to carry the shaft for the toothed belt that will drive it from the Honda, but I am now feeling bad about trashing a perfectly good engine that someone would/might love.
I can make a bearing carrier that could replace the whole Villiars bit, but a lot more work...
Any thoughts...

Ambilavent from France..

this type or the later one with small wheels

 

[Munkul]

I always wanted one of those for myself when I was younger. But the Villiers engine was a brute. It was my grandads, and I never did get to start it, bit too dangerous

There's loads of them about. If you want it to be useful, a bit safer and not just a old-time curio, then get the honda engine whacked in there.

 

[KemppiFrog]

this type or the later one with small wheels

It is that one, with the big wheels, just not so shiney..

Just looked at the vid and his garden is like ours!

 

[octo0072000]

It is that one, with the big wheels, just not so shiney..

our' used to like a oily mix tickle carb till over flow full choke full throttle and a good strong pull one foot on handle and heave went first time every time

 

[KemppiFrog]

Just got this fropm a classic car friend: It's Me!

 

[Migmac]

The Eskdalemuir observatory had a more modern one. It had gears and could take various attachments ( snow plough) on the front. I was often called to give them a hand during the winter to clear paths of snow with the machine. It did a cracking job but top gear was way fast, you were running trying to keep up. The old Allen sythe goes at a more moderate pace, much nicer to walk behind