OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums General Discussion Forum Off Topics Should I Get a Brand New PT While I Can?

I have over 10 working Powertorque mowers in m collection, non of which I have had to buy, yet I want to get a nice brand new one while the opportunity exists. They all perform well but just don't have that exciting new feel about them that I remember from my youth when pulling the string on new ones in the shops. They made this nice wee wee wee wee wha wha sound as the motor turned over (equivalent to a new car smell I suppose), and since I'm an enthusiast of these machines, maybe I of all people deserve the one chance to get my own brand new powertorque machine. My dad got a new FC 160cc one in 1977 and maybe I need to carry on the "tradition" from someone who will appreciate it more.
I was toying with the idea of enquiring over a utility rather than a catcher model, of which all mine are anyway. This would double as a chance to get a sidethrow model, which seem to command higher prices on the used market and are harder to find abandoned.
My decision won't hinge on opinions here, I just want to hear other's take on this.

If you decide to get one I wouldn't use it and most importantly keep the box and keep it in good condition, a few years ago empty old boxes were selling for stupid money like $1000. Then if you still have an unused mower in an original box in 50 years who knows what it would be worth to a collector

will we still be alive in 50 Years ?????????

Will we still have petrol in 50 years?

Nah, I want to use it occasionally. Why let someone else get the joy of using it for the first time? There will probably be a glut of unused PTs from others who think holding onto them will be an investment. Who knows, maybe I'll get a ute to use and a catcher model to preserve.

G'day everyone,

Mowerfreak I would buy 2 of them, one to use and one to put away...lol At the right price i'm seriously thinking about it.

You might have to check with your local dealer if they still have any utility models, or can order them in still? I know my local one only has the standard Commando rear catcher model for sale and nothing else.

I guess the one thing that's for certain is they won't be selling a Victa 2 stroke lawnmower like this ever again here. It really is the last one.

Remember we were talking in another thread about your full crank mower and that scene from the Mad Max movie, darn now this really is the last of the V8's! (Victa 2 stroke that is).

I just thought up the idea of using DTE gearbox oil I have in a 20 litre drum and smear on the bits that tend to rust on the engine, using a kitchen basting brush. What does you think of that, or is there anything more suited, such as WD spray? I want it to last until the sun runs out!

I'm buying up Victa rings where I can because they may to start drying up as well

How much do you normally pay for a set of Victa rings? Is there a good place to get them?

Hi Tyler, I used to be able to get them for $8, 5 sets for $40 delivered but over the last while they have crept up to $10 plus postage, means I have to get about 10 sets at a time to keep the postage at a reasonable cost.

Hi Norm, I've seen $11 including postage for PT rings (are they same as FC?), I can send you the link if you want

Hi Tyler, F/C's and PT's are the same, it is the 125's that are smaller

Thanks Norm, I went to the site, and they have gone up to $14.50.

Bugger!

Excuse my ignorance, but the piston itself isn't the same between FC and PT is it?

Sorry Tyler, I have never bothered looking, I keep my F/C's and PT's apart so not sure, I can check tomorrow if you want me to

That's alright Norm, I will have a check on the weekend. From memory they are backwards compatible - PT will do FC but FC isn't so great in PT
Thanks though

Regards
Tyler

Hello Mowerfreak, ODK friends and all Victa lovers,

Mowerfreak's comments appear a little harsh, but I do not think that was the intention at all.

He poignantly seems to ask, I think, 'why one would collect Victas at all!'
It must be an emotional connection - rather than some desire of
future monetary gain. This is about 'true' collecting.

Interest in mower collecting is in decline for reasons way beyond
what I could say here.

The Victa 2-stroke is dead and we have recorded on ODK when production ended.
Victa still have some stock of a particular model, but after that the market will
play a more significant and unfriendly hand for buyers.

Should you buy a PT now - from the last remaining factory stock?
Yeah, if you're a lover of PT's.

Should you buy a PT to make money down the track?
Nup, history shows nothing is certain, and the odds are now stacked
against collecting any lawnmower for profit.

Do it for your love of it!
Maybe, you might make a quid down the track. Who knows?!

Cheers
--------------------------
Jack

Hi All

Mowerfreak, have a look at a product called Lanotech, it works great and doesn't contain some nasties that other products have in them.

Cheers
wce

Hi Jack, an interesting point you make about mower collecting being in decline, I always thought it was only something a few people ever did, have they collected the majority of the old mowers scattered around Aus. I can't see any of the current mowers ever being collectible in the future. I don't think restoring anything has ever made money, except somebody like Ricks Restorations where people bring stuff to him they want restored and are prepared to pay big money for it to be restored. If they then wanted to sell that item, would they get their money back, probably not, that is the way it goes with restorations, as you say it is done for the love of it and the sense of achievement when it is completed. I guess future generations will want to restore things but it is hard to think what they will bother with as everything is being so mass produced cheaply that it doesn't instill any sense of pride in a new purchase now so why would somebody want to restore it in 50 years time? I guess they will find something to do with their time.

Hi Norm,

Jack and I have discussed this issue quite a number of times over the years and yes it's certainly in decline I say. I can't ever see mowers sitting in some collector garage like 1970's race cars are nowadays. I know there are a few that have a rack display of VC Victa's but they are few and far between. You are absolutely correct in saying that there's no cash to be made in this caper and it's simply personal satisfaction. I guess you can't say to the wife "hop in the passenger side and we'll go for a ride". Most wives despise Lawnmowers at the best of times and as such getting all cuddly with mowers just generally gets one offside with the Cheese and Kisses in the long run.

Mine can't understand the attraction to the Model 45's I have, but on the flipside she loves the look of the gardens and the lawns appearance.

Cheers,
BB.

MF about preventing rust if you go ahead: i agree with wce- in my experience, Lanotec does inhibit the spread of existing rust on mild steel panels, as well as prevent its appearance in the first place. I've used their General Purpose lanolin product. (Old bikes and cars)
Good stuff,cheapish, and aussie made and owned

WD40 is mainly kero and oil (I think). Anyway, in my experience it's not very effective protection against condensation. Your Gear oil would be way more viscous so provided your engine not stored under the house in snow country (like mine), I'd guess it should work ok for at least a couple of years.

ACF 50 is a superior, aviation industry use inhibitor. Lot of bikers use it (eg for riding in UK winters- rain, snow, mud & salty roads). Has really good tenacity in adverse conditions, and is durable. You could use this stuff on your engine even if you want to use your PT for work- won't bake on/burn off your cast iron casings and barrel fins, or alloy head like gear oil. Dunno about the exhaust though. Not cheap, but brush-on and I've found a little goes a LONG way.

Hi all,

I just came across this link on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VICTA-VSX-160-two-stroke-mower-engine-/264258111958

Not sure how many are available. Might be of interest to some

Cheers,
John

Shame it's in QLD.

I bet London to a brick that no one will get any of these 3 engines at $100 each, because as soon as someone bids they will be mysteriously outbid within minutes and have the price run up and up and if it doesn't reach $250 it will be again the owner that holds the winning bid until it reaches that high wanted figure.

Still a lot cheaper than $600 and would make a great transplant on one of my thumb latch bodies.

I can't see why anybody would buy a new one, put a set of rings in one and it is good for years, $100 maybe but that would be about tops, be interesting to see how it goes.

When new, you only have to pull the rope 1/2 way if that and it starts. They mostly don't do that as they age.

No reason why they won't start with half a pull, particularly when they have new rings and a sorted carby

Hi Guys,

I was going to chime in on this one but Norm just beat me to it.

As Norm suggested with a good set of rings there's absolutely no reason why it would fire on half a pull. It's the fact that we're all used to Victa's with half worn rings that require a brisk full pull of the recoil starter rope.

Cheers,
BB.

I think it's time for my first foray into honing and ring replacement. Where can I get a suitable hone?