Villiers Singles And Twins

Villiers Singles and Twins

CYCLE WORLD BOOK REVIEW

bi' Roy Bacon Osprey Publishing Ltd. US. Distribution by Motorsports 6115 Gravois St. Louis, Mo. 63117 $19.95 plus $1.00 postage

Though they are now used primarily in industrial applications rather than as motorcycle powerplants, Villiers twostroke engines were common to a wide variety of small British bikes produced in the years following WW II. Attempting to chronicle the products of all the manufacturers that used these engines was undoubtedly difficult, but this book has done so successfully.

The book’s first section consists of mechanical descriptions of the various singleand twin-cylinder engines made by Villiers. There are also brief histories of each of the smaller British two-stroke manufacturers.

The majority of the book documents the origins and significant models of the more than 30 marques that used these engines. The more popular makes, such as Greeves and Francis-Barnett (FannyBee), each have three to four pages devoted to them. The more obscure bikes, like the diminutive Corgi, each receive a few, scant paragraphs.

Osprey Press has published an entire series of books about the companies that composed the ill-fated British motorcycle industry, and a feature common to all these books are extensive appendices. In this final section a curious reader or an intrepid restorer can find listings of color schemes, engine and frame numbers, carburetor settings, and general mechanical specifications. The information could be quite useful, but it is not particularly interesting.

Now, the appeal of a book about motorcycles that few people under the age of 40 have any real experience with, and that were produced by dozens of small manufacturers that have been bankrupt for years is decidedly limited. Those who have a tendency to grow nostalgic at the sight of quaint machinery and those with a Monty Pythonesque sense of humor will enjoy this book. But it will only be of practical use to the Villiers enthusiast, and only the faithful will see its price as a bargain.

Mark Ewing