OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Victa Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers My new Victa's 18

OK thanks Deejay, it is an original, it has only tiny flaws in the clear plastic that covers the front of the badge that won't polish out, I did polish the front with some 3 step Novus plastic polish that I gought for my 4 wheeler, the white paint on the VICTA is perfect and I just touched up a couple of spots on the green bit as there was a couple of tiny patches you could just see through, so the silver is next, tried a small bit with some silver wheel paint I had but did not like the match so just wiped it off again, will buy some chrome paint and see how that looks, I payed a good dollar for it off Ebay with the handle bar clamp that was supposed to have been painted the corect green, but it wasent but I only have to sand down and paint again wih the mid brunswick green, I payed $130 for the two but have seen a lot worse condition badges sell for more so I was happy with it, seeing how the badge is a fair focal point of the mowers I payed the money.

can anyone identify some of the mowers in the above pictures that I'm going to look at tomorrow??

Yes Darryl that is an original badge see in the centre part at the bottom there is a circle there.Inside the circle there is an A in that circle.The theory is the A is the original for the Model 5's.There was some badged which had a B in that circle.They were believed to be the replacement badges.Still old,as when you took your model 5 in for a service (At a Victa dealer)and the badge was broken,Victa would replace your broken badge for a new one,Free of charge.Now we have to pay a small fortune for them.I wish they were free now.

OK Jonesy you asked so here we go.From left to right.
1971-72 Professional 160 Model 71VK
1970-71 Utility 125cc Model 70VG
1957-60 Model 5 Special series 3.I'd say it's more towards the 1960 mark.
1963-64 Utility Model 509
1971-72 Utility 125cc Model 71VG
Then there is a Model 12 Utility base (with badge.Lucky bugger I need that badge).
Then a model 5 special base series 1.
Then a hole heap of spares one engine is a model 5 engine.The other one I can't quite tell but with the amount of utility's I'd say that's a spare utility engine.
I'm hoping I find one of the series 3 model 5 bases as I need another one.I will just have to wait my turn.

Thanks heaps Blumbly, yes the series 3 mower was the one I am chaseing as I've got a series 1, 3 series 2, yeah that badge caught my eye as at first I thought that base was the same as 1963-64 Utility Model 509, I seen the badge goes the same way as the Romoto badge, cant wait to see what it is like. there was a series 3 on ebay but the base had a chunk out of the side of it, I come across a supposedly new old stock Special & sheerline badges.

but he still ownes them as he wanted $720 FOR THEM I nearly fell over, he also has some second hand ones but after that price I recon he will be too dear for them also.

I just zoomed in on the spacial badge and (now armed with new info) it does have a "A" in the cenrre bottom, So could be, but still way too rich.

Yes that is way to expensive even if they are n.o.s. Would be worth $200 at best,the problem is they could even be reproductions they not that hard to make if you have the right equipment. So yes stay away from them. Could buy many mowers for that price.

Blumbly, whats the difference between the Model 12 Utility base and the 1963-64 Utility Model 509 base? also what year is a Model 12? Is it the V35 (Victa code) 65-67? Got heaps of other questions on some of the others I got today also but will do a bit by bit so you dont get sick of me. I ended up bringing home 15 mowers, 7 of them are the ones you have already identified for me though, and 3 others I know are two more model 5 series 1 and the other is a series 2, so that just leaves 5.

cheers

some pics of some bits I have finally started.





I also had a crack at painting with hammer tone for the first time on a base that had been welded up and just thought I would make it different and hang on the wall in the shed, might do the clock idea later, will do the 18 in silver when the paint dries a bit more.


Been mostly soaking and cleaning bits up but should start to take shape, will need to get some seals and bearings and gasket sets very soon.

Bugger you've got me worried now I can't find my model 12 base.I'll have another tomorrow.The different's really is only the bar that runs across the deck on the 509 is wider (or taller) than the model 12.I guess it's like the thickness of the model 8 for the model 12 where as the 509 is almost twice the size.Also the axle mounts were different,model 12 sort of had.Like this picture.

I know this is a model 8 but the 12 had the same axles.Where as the 509 had this type.


I can't remember but I think that's the only difference between them.The 509 has a guard at the back of the base but that's just a bolt on thing.Not really to do with the base.
The Model 12 was made in 1962-63.The Victacode V35 is actually for the 1965-67 Utility Model 530. Also don't worry about the questions it's the only way we can learn about what we love to do.So keep them coming.

OK, so just look what I found.


Havent seen it in person yet but told him I will take it and will be going to pick it up as soon as I get back from work.
opinions please?

Congrats Jonesy, looks like a ripper. How are your other restorations coming on?

Its a model 4 standard. Looks like someone has restored it at some point. Although that did paint the boomerang red around the victa part.

Hmmm,maybee a better score than he thinks...Seeminlgy a 4 special/STD,but whats the engine no? Be good to see the Prefix. Maybee another Predicta revert? That would make it a little bit more special. Nice score Jonesy...

Where do you get your info on model numbers, Blue? Are they published anywhere?

been holding out on the engine number, it's 112,832

Nice work Jonesy...Ahh an early Fella.So that settles it then,it was once a Predicta inside the first 3,000 released. Just missed out on the oil nips. Obviously its missing its important bits,but still a good find. I personally think if you dont have a Predicta(which not many do) A revert is the next best thing as it was once and still is REAL, and not a model 4 Special/std produced after the Predictas had been pulled. Id re restore her to its original condition and keep your eye out for the hard to get bits down the track....you never know...Very good find:)
As for engine nos...We have all the engine nos from Mid Fan 1 right up until late model 5 Also the sheerline 6/9 with the latter 5s and sheerlines being a little sporadic,but fairly accurate. the later nos 60/70/80 sereies are held by a few other members who are very knowledgable in this area...Ty Blumbly Deejay and a few others,if you require a number,please ask
Im unsure if a common list has been compiled,as some members were discussing this,I think we need to in the future get together and see if we cant work out an accurate serial run for ALL members

For sure, a compiled list of numbers would be an amazing help to new collectors such as myself. It would be a real shame for all that knowledge to be lost with the old timers.

I don't suppose you know what the numbers for the model 2 Rotomo start and finish at? I've got a resto on the go now with a serial number in the 50 thousands, but am not sure where it fits in the production run.

Naaa They wont be lost as im only 40 years young,lols. But agreed we need a list,might be a job for me to get into:) Ok so a Roto 2 your making it too easy for me.....ok the model 2 run went from aprox between 8,500-9,000 up until 100,000.
So yours falls into the mid run category. early line code should be 2 or 6 with some exceptions. definately has tin wheels (circlip axles)which ran up until approximately the mid 75,000 then the remainder where the plastic wheels. red embossed smiley face choke,circlip carby,central bun muffler,metal T/C plastic for some later. ESS pulley(LRG stamped)Model 2 badge with straight 18 not curved as for the model 1,and offset front axle mounts(not straight as for model 1) Thats about it. one additional( some early model 2 Rotos ran model 1 parts,not so much chassis but head,barrel and brass nut carby,have seen some examples right up into the 40,000s. these parts are also a lot harder to find.
Got any more? lols.

Damn, thanks mate! That info is a great help. When you say red embossed choke, is this the one you mean?


Also, sorry to hijack your thread, Jonesy

hey uniemonk get your eyes off that choke LOL

Ha! You spotted it too?! Do a deal with ya, you let me win this one, and i'll let you know if I see any Predicta parts come up

Your Welcome. Yup,Sure is...dont go to hard on it but,they are getting 2 dear now 30-40 tops,cheaper would be better but you know Ebay:(....its got minimum wear and good shape,will restore back to near new nicely.

The other resto's are progressing slowly as its to cold to paint at the moment, but have been busy cleaning and organising bits, have also been on the road picking up mowers and generally scrounging around looking for mowers and bits, I did the post an add on our notice board at work and have been given two 18's that he is even going to drop off to me on Sun so they could be anything yet, I have also picked up two other automatics that I don't have the engine numbers with me right now but are around the 127k mark from memory, and have a Victa 18 outboard to pickup soon to, I am starting to lose count already

Hey Blue what year or number did the oil nips finish? I will also be keen to see what air cleaner/choke it has on it as I can't see in the pick and also the fuel tap, the old bloke with it said it has a leather pull cord and wooden handle?

Seems tassie is the place to go...2 18s and 2 autos plus an OB! Not a bad haul...Oil nips im certain were up until around the 2,000 mark so aprox 112,000 serial run. The air filter assy Will be the smiley face as per the diagram in this thread,but the embossing will be black not red. Cigar fuel tap is accurate as is twin hole carby cap. check the fuel tank cap for the green(same colour as the groove cover) not black,but they have been painted so check the inside. All Predictas were pull start. pully is incorrect you need the early starter type with the retaining nut,steel cord and 2 piece alloy pull knob and green rubber cover(also same green colour as the cap and groove cover)and also the dog nut for the engine. The four side skirt mount bolts should have dampening springs and cups under the heads if they havnt been lost. All this will then make it accurate other than the flaps and skirts. As for the other autos unfortunately at this serial no they will be nothing more than Model 4 Specials with possibly the auto badge if still fitted. This is the only xtra they got after the Predicta finished that Im aware of.
Still nice mowers though...As for the model 5s wait and see,but I doubt they will hold anything special unless they are by chance a Dep store model. give me the serials and ill date them for you if you like:) hope this helps you

oh I forgot 1 more thing...check the front height adjust axle housing,there should be NO slit on the side(slit added later with the large nut to hold it in place,because the height adjust would move from vibration)

Yeah once I get the others I will let you know, I have got two wire rope starters and alloy knobs but no rubbers for the alloy round handles have got 3 dog nuts in good nick too, looks like I will be on the lookout for a side flap bolt, did anyone see the lot that came up on eBay the other day with the auto with R/H side flap and some other stuff for $450 buy it now, it got snapped up pretty quick?

No slit, got it, have not heard that difference before so all automatics are male?

Male? Ahm... No,They were ammended quite early most Autos will have the slit. But this is one thing I cant tell you exactly when they did ammend it,but very early on maybee like the oil nips,within the first few thousand...Im not sure really if anyone knows. Since you dont have oil nips,id like to bet that your housing has the slit even though its still reasonably early.