Hello everyone,
After being a veryy occasional spider I have become a card-carrying member and glad to support the work and interest by all members of ODK- especially the moderators. As my handle suggests I am especially keen on the Victa V13 62/63 "Envoy" Kirby/Lauson walk behind mower. Reason? It was my parents mower and I took over lawn mower duties at a young age and branched out to mow other peoples lawns to earn money to fund my vice- aeromodelling. It was due to my time working with this mower (and trying to keep it going- then trying to get the thing to start at all) that developed my budding mechanical interests that eventually led to interests in motorcycles and cars, leading to an engineering career. The trusty old Envoy suffered somewhat and along the way original parts failed (impulse starter, fuel tank) and it became more viable to 'temporarily' move to a later Victa 2 stroke. Parts become harder to get easily. The Envoy sadly deteriorated- the cast deck lost a chunk out of the front and it sat in the weather for quite while, but the engine was stored under cover, tho in a dismantled condition following exporitry into some fault that I forget. I am really keen to restore the old girl back to as original as possible. I'm hoping some members may be able to help with parts or machines. i don't know how loved by others this model is. I know it will be a bit like 'grand dads axe', but if I use correct parts I will be happy with that. I'm hoping to restore inducing as close as i can get to the original hammertone paint colours used (or as close as i can get). Surviving parts reveal as least two shades of green used- and possibly three. But I have more dimensions to me than just an Envoy envy.
I also volunteer as a facility maintenance guy at our softball association looking after equipment from pie warmers through to ride on mower/tractors and plenty in between. Its a lot of time but I enjoy giving back into the community. The machinery fleet includes 4 Toro machines (three ride on tractor/mowers and a zero turn mower) and also a Victa Tilt-a-cut in well preserved and original condition from what I can tell- but has not been used for a long, long time. Part of the reason is no one knew how to use it. But already ODK had been able to help me as I have found an operator's manual, the illustrations of which seem to exactly match our machine . There is also a number of more modern walk behind mowers too. I'm looking out for a Toro Series 260 Wheel Horse high back seat and bonnet assembly that encloses a Kohler V-twin if anyone can help.
In my little spare time outside of softball, I try and keep a hand in aeromodelling and this includes an interest in collecting model plane engines of all types. I'm also trying to restore my first motorcycle- a BE80F Deckson "Eagle" fitted with a Fuji F480 80cc2-stroke engine and integral four speed gearbox. I understand this was Deckson's last motorcycle that they brought in and was a true 'miniature' motorcycle unlike the rest of their 'minibike' range. I actually had mine road registered in the early 1980's and despite its 12" wheels, it could do 100km/h (on the flat and with no headwind). Its hard to find info on this bike now and even harder to find parts so an authentic restoration is difficult. I understand the bike may have originated in Taiwan and they where brought in to Australia by John Deck and Son's (Deckson). If anyone can help I would love to hear from you.
If you have persevered this far- thank you for reading as its a long intro looking back, but I hope the above is of interest.
Cheers...Envoy envy
