I think you're right Seanoss. Besides, I've already done a lot of work mending cracks and straightening out the bent in front skirt. This is a refurbishment, not a restoration and I fully intend to actually use it, something I won't do with a renewed looking mower. I'm confident it'll be a sound well sorted machine. I even want to keep it's assigned catcher despite having a metal patch on the side which I will paint matching black.
I don't want to lose sight of my aim. It's a tidy up so I can feel proud when I'm cutting the grass.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Mate!!!! I'm so glad that you do things the way you want to!!! Yes, ask opinions on it but that's doesn't mean you have to agree with those opinions!!! YOU DO YOU AND YOUR MOWERS YOUR WAY!!! There is no right or wrong way to restore, rebuild, refurbish or conserve any mower!!!
Everyone is different and that's OK!!! I'm very non-conformist, I do things my way! If something comes together the way I want, then I've done it! I don't need to meet anyone else's opinion or standards, only my own!!!
This isn't just going to be a hobby for me I realise now. But that's because I love it! If I can earn a living doing stuff with mowes then that's just a bonus!!!!
How good is this! My best mate dropped off my new impala 4 because he was coming down my way for the weekend! His 2 little girls running around jumping all over (uncle Sean) while I have a lemonade, he has a beer and we all enjoy the awesome night for a fire!!!
So I couldn't wait, again, so today I took the cowling off the yellow vortex. I then removed the fuel tank, I have made my own tool for G4 carbys out of a short piece of new fuel line and the end of a Bic pen to put on the carby where the fuel line goes in when I'm doing anything to a mower because before the original tank can be used I have to clean it out thoroughly and it can take up to 3 days before I'm happy that the tank is like new again. I blew all of the old cobwebs out of the air filter assembly and the hose from the carby end up. I took the spark plug out, cleanetd it up, put a very small amount of 2-stroke in through the spark plug hole and the smallest amount of carby cleanerin too, I make sure the spark plug lead is well insulated, then I very gently pull the starter twice, gently turn the mower over and again gently pull the starter to expell any crap and excess liquid I put in. I wait about 5 minutes, cable tie a tank I know is clean (I have a separate fuel tank that I have made sure is super clean and has a long flexible line just for seeing if any new mower I pick up run) I put the spark plug back and attach the cable, then turned on the fuel line, primed the carby and, with a fire extinguished with in reach, pulled the starter.
FIRST GO, she started like a brand new mower. NO DIRTY SMOKE, a few small coughs at the start but this blew me away!!! I wish I could post video, it is one of the nicest sounds that I have ever heard. These power torque engines feel like they are on a tight leash, they feel like they have so much more power to show and almost are crying out to show you....
You really are getting into the Powertorque era with gusto. The Vortex was the peak in making a splash and it's hard to believe it was unveiled all the way back in 1982 for a 1983 release. This was during an era when Hollywood was at the top of it's game also with innovative and creative special effects that fired the imagination, much like this mower!!
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I started the weekend without planning to buy ANY mower stuff. I wasn't not going to buy mower stuff either.... BUT 🤦♂️ So far: 1 Impala 4 1 Victa Mustang mark 4 1 old rover, I know nothing about 1 victa utility, that is perfect for helping my restorations 1 super swift, that I know nothing about and now introducing the 8 hour round trip I'll be doing on Tuesday or Wednesday to purchase: 1 Victa Silver Streak 80's series, the only brochure pictures I could find are an export model brochure. I'd say it's a 1982-1983 Silver streak. and 1 (More) Victa late 70's series Mustangs.
Normally have little time for anything non Victa but have a spot for the Aussie battler SupaSwift. The clapped out 1980s bomb I've got is my favourite daily abuser mower. It cuts really nice and has a stylish look to it.
Also love that it takes Victa blades as well as front axle clips.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hi Sean, Remember motors don't like sitting around doing nothing, so you gotta mow a lawn or two and rotate their use..... You'll be able to look after a neighbourhood..... cheers speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
Cheers speedy. All but 1 engine has run in front of me I have heaps of video of some pretty funny stuff when getting engines running. They get kept lubricated and kept dry!!! I would mow my lawn if it would grow. I do my neighbours all the time....
So after lockdown has finally ended, I have been able to pick up a few of the things I organised during lockdown.
So I don't know much about the scott bonnar products. I did receive 2 Scott Bonnar mowers in parts but all of the parts are there to completely rebuild these mowers. I just don't have to break them down for restoration....
A Scott Bonnar utility mower was my first encounter with a Briggs and Stratton. It reminded me if a tractor engine and it threw the clippings far. Probably had catcher mower blades fitted.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
So I finally made the 8 hour journey to pick up my 1958 Pace Automatic. I also picked up 4 other mowers along the way.
I got another Pace but someone has hacked the deck and tried to attach, from what I can tell, a victa 125cc engine it's only for parts now and the base will make a great wall hanger!!!
I also picked up a Victa model 5 that is missing most of the top parts of the engine but it has an automatic serial number and my mate hase almost everything to finish his automatic project but needs an engine with the correct number, so he's happy!!!
Then I put the minimum bid on an early 80's corvette. One of the last before the power torque engine was introduced. $11 I'll take it!!!
Finally I picked up, what I think is, the last Mustang before power torque was introduced. I paid $10 but the only thing I really wanted was the base because it's in great condition, especially compared to the 2 I have. I don't know about the engine and it didn't come with the air-hose and throttle cable. But I have 1 engine from the exact same model in amazing condition and it going on this deck!
Now the Pace that's been absolutely hacked and has had a different motor, I think, from its original. The only serial number is on the upper part of the case. So I'm hoping someone might be able to shed some light on it.
Hi Seanoss, nice haul of plastic yet classic models there. How are the catchers on the two SPFC mowers? Yes that is the last Mustang before the first Powertorque model. Of interest was that the SPFC Mustang you have here was the last model with that premium high arch thumblatch base casting before they moved to the base casting used on the SPFC Corvette you've got there. That casting was originally used as a "second tier" casting under the top shelf Mustang base casting, for store brand models before Victa decided to replace it with this second tier casting! It only lasted a couple of years before Victa replaced that with an updated casting which had the same catcher fitting eg the white Mustang and the Vortex.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I have had to buy 3 of these last Mustangs to have a good engine cowling and base but they were all cheap and the actual catcher came with one so I was pretty wrapped.
I bought the cover only to replace my badly cracked one and swapped the labels as the cracked one's was better. Very satisfied with the result. Only thing is the replacement cover has the series II superstart decal with 2 year warranty added instead of the round SS logo only.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
So I met a Victa dealership owner through my adventures of collecting and researching mowers. I had organised through him to get the 2 power torque crankpin socket's still available. I paid half months ago and couldn't afford the rest until recently.
He sent me them on Monday with a message telling me he had thrown in a few little extras for me and a the arrived today. I received a plug in light up victa turn grass into lawn sign that's about 65 cm long, the victa gold dealership sign, my socket's, a very very good condition side chute, an original victa N,O,S long decompressor and a few other bits and pieces. The socket that is unavailable any more he made for me.
I just love so many people I meet through my mower journey. Mower people seem to be the best kind of people!!!
That's great getting original tools and parts ,the Victa light sign is highly collectable, I've made similar sockets for motorbikes before ,the sockets for the PT are easily made ,there is a thread on ODK if any one else needs them.
I know of about 3 mower shops around here that have shut down because of not enough business and the ones that are left don't stock parts and can't tell you when you are likely to get parts if you order them so are not worth doing business with .
Nice quality steel tooling Seanoss. I have attempted to make one type of crank pin socket but it kept slipping. Needs more grinding into shape. Appreciate the link Maxwestern. That's a shame to hear of more closed-down mower shops. I'm fortunate to have a couple near me that stock sundry Victa bits -but for how long?
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Appreciate the kind words guys, now I'm going to be honest. After finding a few bit and pieces for an automatic such as the carby, badge, engine and some more stuff over my collecting journey that I have decided to attempt to put together an as original as possible automatic.
I have just been in contact with the guy, he has the cowl. I have a mark 3 125cc with a g3 carby ready to go and he's going to look for a catcher tomorrow. He's pretty sure he's still got it.
You're all set then. No more need to cut out the Victa logo to graft to the right hand side. Only a repaint required if the existing paint doesn't clean up well enough. You just have to find someone who will mix some up.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
