Mark Mansell's Page

"Interesting to see scissor action brake caliper like Swiss Gutless type on the Demon Heath. Very effective and I've never had to bleed the damn thing. Ray or Allan, were these a standard fitting on Demons for the time?"

"Rod W, what a little beauty. Its a treasure. Do we know what the upholstery is supposed to look like? Surely its driveable as is?"

"Heath, it looks pretty much like a Villiers 197 single as fitted to the James motorcycles and many other makes of the era see picture. But Rod can tell us."

"Acording to the official riding test by Motorcycle Magazine, top speed in first was 36 mph and in top 42 mph. Yes it only has two speeds, slow and slower. A mate of mine in the UK was kidding me about the tiny brake drums. After riding it for the…"

"Thanks for the link to the Villiers site Allan. Tom, don't rush the Victa Kart. It will turn out eventually. I've got a Villiers 98cc two speed in my 1948 James Comet almost fully restored. see picture."

"Way to go Rod. That's a huge leap ahead for the Vintage Karting movement. Well done."

"great stuff. after the pictures of the track under water its good news that there is no harm done."

"Sean, it's easy to see why these axles are so highly stressed. With a wall thickness of 5mm and a 6mm keyway 3mm into the axle leaving say 2mm to complete the circumferance of torsional shear stress area. And that's not including the…"

"The chick probably does come with the helmet but she could probably come without it too."

"Sean, what are the actual sizes of the bore and lengths of the keyways please? Are they 6mm or 6.35mm (0.25 inch).? Is there a material spec that you know of other than 4130? For what we are doing.........demonstrating....a slightly lower grade…"

"Depends on how bad it is Gary. If its bent really badly it will require heating before straightening. If it's not too bad it can be done cold but residual stresses will remain and possibly be the cause of a future failure point. Those hollow…"

"Gary, with that simple question you just trippled the price. Hollow bar in 4130 is expensive stuff."

"Gary B, do you have a drawing or a sample and I will give you a quote to manufacture one."

"There we go. All ready for demonstrating and practicing till the cows come home. Look like brand new. And fit the 28mm (no not 40mm) shaft perfectly.   40 mill phil should be a happy chappy."

"Turning between centres is the most accurate method for this type of operation. They cleaned up really well. next picture shows finished hubs ready for "demonstrating and practicing" etc."