OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Victa Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Victa Rotomo model 2 restoration

This is my newly finished mid run (47000) model 2 Rotomo
Ive been working on it over the last few months and Im realy happy how its turned out.

I found it on Gumtree. Ive seen mufflers sell for more than they were asking so without much info or hesitation I snapped it up.

Once it arrived, I gave it a good clean and did some research on here about the serial number. Every thing was original and only bits missing were the wheels, snorkel and choke. A quick clean of the carby and points and she was going again.

I found a correct set of tin wheels a few weeks later, which when they turned up had no rust and only a few small dents which was great. I also brought a sad face choke I saw on fleebay. The rest was in good condition, the base had no flat sides or cracks and the tank wasn't rusty inside. At work we have a cabinet blaster and paint booth so Im lucky in that reguard. Many lunches were spent blasting, priming and finally painting in 2pack Deep Brundswick. I also made a new set of axles and brackets.

Most at work thought I was mad for high filling the underside, but it had to be right.

Over the weekend I finally got the chance to finish her off.
I think it came out great and runs like a dream.

The engine was also fully rebuild. Light hone, new rings, bearings, seals, carby stripped, cleaned and resealed, new Bosch spark plug, ht lead and the ignition was given a good clean up.

Im still on the lookout for the correct throttle and straight snorkel but for now it looks great and starts 1st time evey time.

Hello SimonSbf

WOW!
I don't think any member would deny this was a top-order full restoration.
In many ways, these old Victas seem to have changed function - from
humble working-class lawnmower to pieces of industrial art.

I wish good repros of the choke were available.
It was a lucky find - good original wheels and tyres!

The 'classic' side view image(above) is sensational.

Thanks for sharing your restoration with us, and
this record will go to the provenance of your machine.

----------------------
Jack

A great museum piece for the any room in the house!
Any chance we could see the blade disc?

Thanks for the kind words Jack.
Ive been reading this forum for some time now and was hoping to one day pick up a Rotomo. I think I left my collecting run to late as the price of these have rising significantly over the last 10yrs, so when I saw this one I jumped on it. Then to find it was a tin wheel, I was over the moon.
Mowerfreak,
It was built in the lounge room, however the mrs wasn't as keen as I was to leave it there (funny that), so its in the shed with my other 2. I haven't done the cutter disc yet. I do have a couple of the 2 holed ones though. I just cleaned one for the test run
Could anyone tell me the colour of the disc? I was thinking either the same green or a satin black. Id prefer it to be right though.

These are a couple of shots of my other two.


This is my mid model 5 series 1. Full restoration, new wheels and an original badge


This is my model 2a replica. I brought the base and handle off a guy at work for $10. I wasn't sure what I would do with it but who cared for the price. Its been acid dipped, rubbed with penetrol and that's it. The engine is a model 3 which was rebuild but only acid cleaned, not blasted to keep it looking untouched. The rest of the bits Ive picked up along the way.

My little stand I built for them along with fuel tins

Here they sit in my shed with my vintage Tonka collection.
My wife says I have OCD, but Im not convinced.

You know how to decorate a shed with such taste. Your wife should be proud.
Gees, I could never understand the popularity of these primitive looking machines, being obsessed with the modern looking hi arch mowers from the 70s and 80s, but your post has me wanting one as my own.

I think you wife might be correct, looks super though, well done

G'day all

Is that a man cave or what! Brilliant.
I love the patina of the 2A replica.
A magic photo too!

I have some evidence the production bladeholders were painted the same colour as the base: HERE.
However service spare parts may have been a different colour.

-------------------
Jack

Evening Folks,

Who'd have thought! The trucks I thrashed in the sandpit decades ago are now collectable!

G'day SimonSbf
Great job on the model 2 !
I'm no expert but can tell you that the remaining paint on the underside of my model 2 blade holder was pretty much the same as the colour of your deck in the second photo (avocado green ?).
Could you please tell me where you obtained the large Castrol decal on the back of the fuel tank ? I am assuming it's NOT the one with all the spelling mistakes.
Cheers

Hi mate,
The decals are from Rustic Spares. I just had a look and didnt notice any mistakes. They do heaps of Victa decals as well as most other makes.

Thanks for the info, I've found them. Strange thing is this was the first place I looked when I started searching a few months ago and couldn't find them. Don't know if they weren't listed or I just missed them.
Cheers