Hey Norm, they used it well into the 70's. a fair few of the store brands were 125's and there was even a VC125. I'm sure Blumby could give us a more accurate year but i'm guessing about 76-77.
Thanks bigted,the early 125 toe cutters had plenty of power to turn a bush block into lawn, but I guess that was because there was no effort required of the motor to carry the grass into a catcher, so once they came to the rear chute and catcher design they required a bigger motor
As far as the Victa-branded mowers go, IIRC the Utility was the last model to be offered in both 125 and 160cc versions, and these had different VictaCodes.
The last model year with the two Utility codes in the VictaCode 1970-1990 list, was the 1974-5 model year.
Edit: the 125 had VictaCode V167, and the 160 had V168. It doesn't look like these had the G4 carby though - the VictaCode book says P/No TC04209A for the throttle cable on both, which is a G3 type. This fits in with what we've found out about the introduction of the G4 in late 1975, for the 1975-6 season. However, 125 barrels for G4 carbies definitely exist, as rebored changeover units are still available.
The 125 engine may have been used after this in storebrands though.
The first 160cc engine was released for the 1967-68 season.
Last edited by Gadge; 12/10/1606:11 AM. Reason: clarification
Cheers, Gadge
"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."
"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."
Well the last one's that I can think of that run a 125cc was.In the low arch was the Cortina (Victacode V139)and Mayfair (Victacode V142) which was 1974.In the high arch was in fact the VC-125 Mark III (Victacode V138) also last produced in 1974.The last Utility was also 1974 (Victacode V145). I think I see a pattern forming.As far as store brands sorry I really don't know as at that time there was way to many to remember. So for Victa's main line I believe it was 1974 but with store brands I don't know I think they did go a bit later as I'm sure I have a 125cc engine that had a G4 carby on it.
My best find from a dumpster it was 2004, was a 125cc Victa, It was 200 mtrs from surf at Gold Coast so the chassis and handle were corroded and rusted,,,,,,, from the salt air. Took it home and it started first go. I have used it since and gave it to my cousin, who wasn't good with with mowers so I mow her lawn, an it still starts first pull, plenty of powre. It has G4 carby, I have never pulled it apart as I usually do.... Maybe one day,, I'll get a pic speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
🤣🤣🤣 I haven't checked properly. I think I have 2 late 70's Mustangs that have the Mustang in red not blue, they might be 125cc. I just haven't had time to check them.....
I have organised 3 more mowers today. Maybe one has a blue lid MF?????
"Actually, their is no maybe about it". I did get a purple VC-SPORT. In probably the worst condition I'm willing to spend money on tho. I'll post on my roadside thread...
Mustangs never came with a 125. Always a 160 from new. It was a top tier model after all and bigger must be better right? Blue lid must be the disco purple VC sport. Again 160cc standard.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hi Everyone, My elderly neighbours moved out of their house to smaller property, and allowed me to take any old stuff left behind. In a shed covered in vines( the place had seen MUCHbetter days) was a store brand Victa 125cc in bad shape, but repairable.Its Victa code was 149, had a G3 carby with the white plastic bowl rather than Aluminium, spring loaded flap, Zip Starter on top, points ignition, with a sticker on the front saying “Capriâ€. Base was alloy, painted red. After total dismantling, cleaning, new gaskets and everything else, started up third pull, with some help from starter spray initially. Now starts fine. Stamped into the barrel is “2 69†Does this mean the barrel was made Feb 1969? Best wishes for 2022. Kirk
It's a store brand model that uses the Premier 125cc model as its set-up and is a 73-74 model, so that makes the G3 carby spot on!!! Store brand mowers that have a model name after the words "Store Brand" don't always use the model name that the parts reference guide gives, so just because V149 says "Store Brand Premier 125cc" doesn't mean that the words "Premier" will be on the mower any where.
(SPECULATION) It's my understanding that the Store branded models have a Victa model name with them, but it's only the model type that the store has chosen their commission of mowers to look like and is in no way what the actual model is, the model is what ever the store commissioning the order of mowers decides to go with. Also I believe that the model name is in the quick parts reference guides to make life easier on the guys who have to do repairs, if they know that it's actually a "Premier" then it's much easier on them in knowing what they are working on and the right parts, but it's not a Premier it's whatever the store decides its name to be.
The year of the engine build will be determined by the serial number on the case. I have no information for you about the barrel question tho, sorry.
Can you post some pictures please? I'd love to see it and a picture of the V149 code would be awesome too please! I collect as many pictures and real ones I can find.
Here's a Victa code for my KMart mower. It would come up as a store brand Mayfair 125?
BTW, this Mower is ripe to be parted out as it has wear underneath from sand blasting effect from sandy soil and badly corroded handles. Motor goes well though, so just needs a body.
I threw out the same body a while ago as it had chips missing on the skirt but it was much better overall than this one. Had better handles as well. Wish I never disposed of it!!! Could definitely have made a good Mayfair with it.
Despite the faults with this body, it's still good enough to cut a lawn with.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
The earliest they stopped production of the 125 would have been 1978 some time as I have a high arch 125cc model that came with the LM carburettor which was introduced 1978. Also it had the black "press once only" label on the deck pointing toward the primer cap, not pointing away from it where a remote primer may have been fitted. I had a neighbour with the exact same mower decades ago, 125cc and all and specifically recall the same label and it's position with LM white primer cap. I think they more likely stopped selling 125cc models even later as 1980 was when they stopped selling Mayfair style low arch bases as the bottom end model and offered thumb latch alloy high arch mowers in lower price point models.
BTW I believe the 125s with an LM or G4 carburetor is a hidden gem as the ones I've used have decent power over the G3 I used to have which was a bit lacking in the tough stuff. May have been faulty but I doubt it. Just like a bigger carburetor was used in a car to give more performance, I think the plastic carburetor has that effect on the 125 and maybe even a 160, you just don't notice the difference as much on the bigger engine.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hi All As requested by Seanoss, here are some pictures of a recent find. Covered by plants, cobwebs and rubbish at the time, but it’s running quite smoothly now. Just needs that front wheel and a proper throttle cable affixed. Regards Kirk/ 2stroker.
I read somewhere the mark3 125 is hard to come by. They are harder wearing and sweeter sounding than the 160, although the early 160s with wind up start and very early zip start are also very good.
Last edited by Mowerfreak; 02/01/2202:32 PM.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I can't remember where I saw it but I definitely have seen a post 1980 but pre power torque 125cc store brand with a G4 or LM carby. I wish I remember where, because it's the first one I had found for sale.
I've seen a picture of at least 1 of your 125cc models with the G4/LM Carbys. But when I saw this one my mind jumped to you telling me about the rarity of these 125cc G4 models.
MF, I'm on the same wavelength about the 125cc engines! My favourite engine is the G3 125cc engine but that's only because I haven't used a 125cc with a G4 and I'm so looking forward to that!!!!
So I just clued on to the fact that I have a picture of the 125cc Mayfair model V170 with a G4 carby and its the same V code as your K-Mart with the G4 carbys, the Sunbeam 125cc and the store brand models and V codes.
I think that seeing the Mayfair with the V-code V170 and then seeing that there are 2 other store brands with the same V-code adds to my opinion on why the Quick Parts Reference Guides have a model name with "Store Brand". So that the mechanics know what actual model they are working on when the mower only has the store brands name on it.
I've posted pictures of the Mayfair and Sunbeam 125cc and the store brand models from 75-76 off my Victa dial a code.
So this does raise one question! If the V170 says store brand Mayfair and the dial a code has a picture of the Mayfair and shows that the V-code is used on store brands, then is it possible that victa released actual models and then linked them to the store brand models.
Now this is just complete speculation but im finding a lot of evidence that leans towards my theory being correct. If this theory is correct then I'm sorry to say that Jack's stance on the V120 and V147 store brand corvettes not being corvettes could be right and wrong. The store brands aren't corvettes they are what ever the store chooses its name to be, but victa may have released a V120 and V147 corvette and they might have only sold or produced a few. Or they continued to use the same corvette design that the last official release of the corvette used, but we will probably never know the truth!
All I ask is for people to keep an open mind!!! Just because you think something is the way it is and have so for ever doesn't mean you're right, just look at the serial number stuff I proved was wrong!!! Same with me, this is a theory, I'm not going around saying it like it's fact, it's not fact it's a theory!!!!