Panther Villiers 250 twin and the role of the road tester.

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  • Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
  • A pair of 250cc Panther lightweights, one Villiers and one P&M powered, take to the road following rebuild.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 95

  • @stevecarter9027
    @stevecarter9027 9 місяців тому +4

    Wow, The David Attenborough of motorcycle repair!!!

  • @TheYorkie1954
    @TheYorkie1954 Рік тому +5

    that is a beautiful little bike. I never knew they made such a bike . Would love one of them

  • @henrywilliam8506
    @henrywilliam8506 Рік тому +2

    Very nostalgic journey for me, I loved my Frances Barnett with the Villiers 197cc motor as a teenager. Just one point, you are a naughty boy, you failed to stop at the stop sign. 😗

  • @daweshorizon
    @daweshorizon Рік тому +5

    Cleckheaton's finest! Proper Yorkshire! A good job on the 250, by the way. Looks and sounds amazing!
    Someone should revive the P&M? Panther brand and get some sensible motorcycles back on the road. Love and peace.

  • @AGEngineering
    @AGEngineering 2 роки тому +16

    How did Villiers lose their place in 2 stroke supremacy when they were so ahead of their time. Great video many thanks.

    • @acerforge3882
      @acerforge3882 Рік тому +2

      Size for size Japanese 2-strokes were 20 mph quicker and you didn't have to mix oil with the petrol manually. Japanese engine castings were made by "modern" methods and horizontally split crankcases were manufactured with greater precision and didn't leak. Need I go on?

    • @lkgreenwell
      @lkgreenwell Рік тому

      The usual explanation was that the British motor-cycle industry was taken over by asset strippers. My hero, Honda Soichi, invested his profits in R&D, the Brits chose new Jags and golf club subscriptions

    • @bananabrooks3836
      @bananabrooks3836 9 місяців тому

      ​@@lkgreenwellDon't forget the shareholders.

    • @lkgreenwell
      @lkgreenwell 9 місяців тому

      @@bananabrooks3836 Management *are* shareholders, awarding themselves bonuses and stock options. Investors find it difficult to control the situation. Where *is* the forensic accountant?

  • @jimmeltonbradley1497
    @jimmeltonbradley1497 Рік тому +8

    I've always loved the sound of the Villiers 2-stroke twin. Magic

  • @martinowl
    @martinowl 3 роки тому +12

    What a lovely looking bike. Some great touches added on the rebuild. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one of these before, although have seen loads of other Panthers at various shows etc over the years. It’s a great shame that by the time I started riding in the mid 70’s, there were no British machines being made for learner riders to try out.

    • @thra5herxb12s
      @thra5herxb12s 2 роки тому

      I started riding in the late 70s and there were plenty of British 250s to choose from.

  • @philt8976
    @philt8976 3 роки тому +6

    As a lover of 2-strokes I enjoyed the ride once you were out of town,

  • @roberthocking9138
    @roberthocking9138 Рік тому +2

    What a beautiful bike, a credit to you. You certainly sorted the brakes. Nothing like the burble of a well tuned 2 stroke. Very non PC these days I guess, what the young folk are missing out on eh 😬

  • @richardnorman1520
    @richardnorman1520 3 роки тому +5

    Great to see a Villiers 2T engine getting a good work out. Liked your modifications. Anyone looking for a similar type of bike might consider the Francis Barnett Sports Cruiser 91 or the James M25S if they cant find a Panther.

  • @neilfoddering921
    @neilfoddering921 3 роки тому +4

    I only discovered your videos this week, and so far, I’ve watched four of them. They’re beautifully produced and narrated (I love the dry touches of humour) and very interesting. Your restoration skills are extremely impressive, and I was very surprised when you said in one of them that you’re a hobbyist, not an engineer! I envy your light and lively two stroke Panther; I have a 1930 500cc Scott Flying Squirrel, and while it handles and goes well, it’s a heavy old beast by comparison. Having watched your video which details your building of

  • @buxvan
    @buxvan 3 роки тому +5

    I had a panther 3T in the 80's . God, it weighed a ton. Also had a Francis Barnett cruiser 2T rat bike. That was great fun & used to smoke like a trooper, I thrashed it everywhere & it kept going. These engines also sound great.

  • @Phiyedough
    @Phiyedough Рік тому +1

    I've never owned one but once when I was unemployed I assembled an earlier example of the twin from a basket case for someone. That one was fitted with an unusual design of trailing link front fork.

  • @robrichards6979
    @robrichards6979 3 роки тому +5

    Back in the early sixties I owned a panther 250. It was fitted with a Villiers 2T motor,
    It was a great bike quite fast , light and lithe.
    And very pretty.

  • @daviddjerassi
    @daviddjerassi 3 роки тому +5

    Thank you i enjoyed every foot of your journey what a lovely machine it was in its element as were you on those country roads keep safe

  • @aliasdeputydog
    @aliasdeputydog Рік тому +1

    Familiar and distinctive sound of a Villers twin 2 stroke engine travelling along, my first motorcycle was a 175 BSA Bantam with the single cylinder Villiers that also had an easily recognised sound all of its own. I went on to pass my test on the 250cc Ariel Leader carrying the Villiers 2T engine which used to produce a "pop pop pop" sound after closing the throttle. That Panther is a lovely looking machine, I wonder why I never saw any for sale in my local Motorcycle shop?.

  • @andyhutch8262
    @andyhutch8262 3 роки тому +6

    Excellent, I enjoyed every second of your journey with the Panther 250 twin.

  • @edwardkennedy9919
    @edwardkennedy9919 3 роки тому +3

    Great upload and a lovely build, that villiers engine sounds sweet, bet you love spinning about on it.

  • @Frightningman
    @Frightningman 3 роки тому +5

    Back in the day, a mate owned a 325cc two stroke twin Panther which I had the use of.
    I don't know what model it was, it had Earles type front forks and all the tinware had been removed.
    It had a habit of running on one cylinder when cold, and giving electric shocks through the bare metal bits when it was raining.
    It was quite nippy though, and could keep up with another mate's BSA A7.

  • @rileybenstead3574
    @rileybenstead3574 3 роки тому +1

    My mate had one of these and I had a Norman B4 sports twin about 1967. Our first bikes as we were both learners. The police often pulled us over because we looked so young and they thought the bikes were bigger than 250s.

  • @cybaman1
    @cybaman1 3 роки тому +3

    What a beautiful machine. Music to my ears. 😺

  • @peter7624
    @peter7624 3 роки тому +2

    What a lovely job, reassembled better than new. The Villiers twin was a lovely smooth unit.

  • @davidmartin805
    @davidmartin805 Рік тому +1

    using a 2/3/4/any, into one exhaust seriously and adversely effects the scavenge of a piston port 2 stroke. Love your videos thanks for sharing, kindest regards David

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  Рік тому +1

      Thanks David. I suspect that Villiers knew that but P&M were swayed by the cost saving, the firm on its knees by the mid 1960s. The Model 35 will be out again in 2023.

    • @davidmartin805
      @davidmartin805 Рік тому +2

      @@PantherOwnersClub1 Yes I suspect you're right, I recall how saddened I was at age 11 to hear of the great marques demise, even as a child I loved the Panther and longed to own one, sadly I never did and now having been very nearly killed by an errant cyclist, I am confined to watch you tube and fondly remember the days of my youth and riding my bikes, I still have just 2 of my Kawasaki triples collection, I just can't bear to part with them. looking forward to seeing your 2023 adventures, regards David

  • @terryblackman6217
    @terryblackman6217 3 роки тому +3

    A pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing.

  • @neilfoddering921
    @neilfoddering921 3 роки тому +1

    Continued from my previous comment, having pressed “send” by mistake: I was in the process of saying that having watched your video detailing the build of the sidecar, I’ve now developed a craving for a Panther combination, and have been eyeing the 650cc outfit currently for sale at Andy Tiernan’s…

  • @andrewslagle1974
    @andrewslagle1974 2 роки тому +1

    You did a great job on that motorcycle ,better than new.In the states we would call that a resto mod .restored with proper updates and improvements for performance and safety!

  • @davidkettell5726
    @davidkettell5726 Рік тому

    Mt dad had a moped with a 50 cc Villiers and it was a runner , great sound.

  • @waynemullally6423
    @waynemullally6423 2 роки тому

    I'm a Canadian. There aren't many Panthers here: light or heavy weights. I did however the good fortune to move a Panther two stroke from the vintage shop I was helping out. I delivered it to a music shop where the owner had it on display. Lovely machine

  • @keen2b
    @keen2b 3 роки тому +1

    It's always refreshing to watch and listen to these bygone motorcycles restored and loved, By a group of enthusiastic friends, My first motorcycle was an Ambassador 250cc twin, Cost £15pounds and a packet of 20 cigarettes, Didn't have it long unfortunately, thanks 4 sharing, Brought back good memories of better times!!👍

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  3 роки тому

      I love the pricing structure keen2b. The little 'uns may not have been a high-end choice but they are remembered fondly by so many of us. A Francis-Barnett was my ride-to-work bike in the 1970s. Economical to run and no worries that it might be stolen...

  • @peterhodes6708
    @peterhodes6708 2 роки тому +1

    My 2nd road bike was a panther 2t back in 1963 not sure how old the bike was.It had Earles forks and handled as if hinged in the middle!! Clutch always slipped during my brief tenure and as a know-nothing 17 yr old i failed to cure it. Didn,t put me off 2-strokes though ,here i am 58 yrs on riding my tzr 250 1kt (owned 14 yrs)

  • @interman7715
    @interman7715 3 роки тому +1

    I just love two strokes ,so much character.

  • @chriswillis6941
    @chriswillis6941 Рік тому

    Watching this video reminds me of my James Sports Superswift I had in the sixties. It had the Villiers 2T motor which was like the proverbial off a shovel. It took me many miles over the two years I had it and still riding at 76, I regret trading it for another bike. That's one bike I'd love to own again. A really great video, thank you.

  • @GWAYGWAY1
    @GWAYGWAY1 11 місяців тому

    Nicely done, a pity the P&M never considered doing it like that at the start before sending them to Pride and Clarke to sell.
    Villiers Engines do need to have modern synthetic 2T oil at a lot less than the 16 to 1 mix that was prescribed back then.

  • @stewy62
    @stewy62 4 роки тому +3

    I’ve been waiting for another of your videos, thanks for posting!

  • @markkumanninen6524
    @markkumanninen6524 10 місяців тому

    A truly great video - fun and informative. For once I didn't have problems with understanding the language.

  • @charlesyoung2911
    @charlesyoung2911 Рік тому +1

    Barring for the Front Forks and Seat it looks more like a Norman B4 Sports which I once owned, I found it ran better on Lodge R47 Plugs which at the time were 15 bob each and I was a 30bob a week Apprentice.

  • @adeypop1
    @adeypop1 Рік тому +1

    I know that road well - its my back road commute...you must be near me in Thorney

  • @LemayNelson
    @LemayNelson 2 місяці тому

    Thanks bub for sharing. The restoration.

  • @whalesong999
    @whalesong999 3 роки тому

    Ah, memories of other two stroke, 250 twins comes to mind. That drive behind the sports abbreviated windscreen reminds me of the first YDS-1 Yamahas that came into the U.S., '59 I think, and it also had s short windscreen somewhat like yours. Didn't know that Villiers twin existed with electric start. Such a nice and thorough rebuild, actually a friendly looking ride.

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  3 роки тому +2

      Thank you whalesong. I have a weakness for the bigger Panthers but accept that the year may come when kick-starting them is beyond me. If I can still fold myself around the 35, this will be my backstop.

  • @dibbo64
    @dibbo64 Рік тому

    Superb , now so looking forward to getting a few miles on my newly acquired 10/4 this yr

  • @pistonwhisperer
    @pistonwhisperer Рік тому

    Panther motorcycles of Cleckheaton west Yorkshire, the factory was behind the commercial pub I do believe

  • @williamnethercott4364
    @williamnethercott4364 Рік тому

    I'm not a fan of two stroke engines but I've never heard one that sounded as good as that.

  • @terranceprice7006
    @terranceprice7006 Рік тому +1

    Fitted with a Siba Dynastart engine , I still have a flywheel puller tool for the Siba flywheel.

  • @helenloughton2418
    @helenloughton2418 Рік тому

    Always fancied Villiers 325 twin hard to find love 2 strokes

  • @garyives1218
    @garyives1218 3 місяці тому

    6:02 Nice Parker Jotter.

  • @timothylee8935
    @timothylee8935 3 роки тому +1

    I really enjoyed that mate thank you As a big fan of villers motorcycles the only time i had the twin it was in a bond mini car and that was a 4t I have had many two strokes over the years starting on a DMW cortina a great little bike with a 1H engine thanks very much

  • @feraltweed
    @feraltweed Рік тому

    I miss the old two strokes

  • @josephp5058
    @josephp5058 Рік тому +1

    I had a 650 single cylinder Panther Combination Sidecar outfit - a dry sump engine -it was such a long stroke it fired about every lamp post - l have never associated it with Villiers 2 Strokes did Villiers make Panther ? I imagine someone out there knows the answer

  • @alecjefferson6993
    @alecjefferson6993 2 роки тому

    Nice bike did not see the STOP 🛑 SIGN 😱 Got to change the Brake on my Ariel Arrow can push it with the brake on. 😤

  • @johnmullen1955
    @johnmullen1955 4 роки тому +1

    excellent video well filmed and well presented.I believe you are correct in thinking that that bike did have potential to appeal,it certainly appeals to me and I thoroughly enjoyed the brisk ride. Do you find the Villiers engine reliable in use once again well done. Flying the flag for British engineering .

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  4 роки тому

      Thank you John. This was fun to put together in 2020 using video from previous years, and I think that Red Panther owner Steve is still talking to me. Regarding reliability, the post road test bike has given no further trouble. I was advised to blow carbon dust from within the Dynastart flywheel as part of a service regime but otherwise maintenance is basic, starting on the key reliable and we're still running the original cam and points setup. In the past I have trusted the 35ES as ride to work transport.

  • @hodaka1000
    @hodaka1000 11 місяців тому

    Beautiful bike 😳

  • @andysaunders3708
    @andysaunders3708 Рік тому

    Bloody Siba Dynastarts.
    Nasty...

  • @davidhenderson7355
    @davidhenderson7355 Рік тому

    I had the swinging arms front forks bloody heavy for a 250.

  • @glaicogobbo4046
    @glaicogobbo4046 3 роки тому +1

    I liked the world of the disassembly and assembly details of this beautiful 180 ° Twin stroke machine. If it could be time to use valves near the intake to improve both cut and acceleration, it would be a small rocket. Would you like to know the behavior of this very rare English machine on the road? What is your estimated maximum speed? Thankful!

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  3 роки тому

      The Panther 35 cruises comfortably around 60mph and should exceed 70.

    • @glaicogobbo4046
      @glaicogobbo4046 3 роки тому +1

      @@PantherOwnersClub1 Show of technique on the simultaneous starter and generator. The stator serves as a handwheel. It was a very difficult job to recover from the beginning.
      I have a Yamaha RDZ 125cc, which I bought 0km in 1985. It has 5 gears and carburization aided by reed valves and YPVS receptacle to store excess gas between the valves and the cylinder, the fuel that returns, to make the most of the aspiration. Has electronic ignition 12V. It reaches 83 mph at most. Cruise 55.9mph comfortably. Greetings!

  • @GWAYGWAY1
    @GWAYGWAY1 Рік тому

    My Panther 200 was so bad as to be below contempt, it had a bolt together frame that flexed 4 inches sideways when pushed on the footrests against a wall. It had Earle’s forks that really contributed to more flexing. The brakes were totally useless as the backplate flexed and the drum distorted with the action of the shoes. It stared tank slapping at 45 and would not stop until I got down to 30. How I survived until 17 when I dumped it. P& M Should be really ashamed of producing such a device.

  • @BobSmith-ly2zs
    @BobSmith-ly2zs Рік тому

    Im guessing the sewing machine is a 95K40 . Run for years on end at 4000 rpm.

  • @minibikeaction4266
    @minibikeaction4266 3 роки тому

    Clean work.

  • @waltertaljaard1488
    @waltertaljaard1488 2 роки тому

    Now I would have assumed that this howling gearbox was just standard and how it was supposed to run.

  • @davidvardy8582
    @davidvardy8582 3 роки тому

    What a great vid and a cracking little 250, the jelly mould tank is very reminiscent of 1960's Ducati singles did P&M buy the tanks in or make them in house?

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  3 роки тому +2

      Glad you enjoyed it. Yes an unashamed rip-off of Italian tank design. James and Francis-Barnett used a similar item for their sports models in the mid-Sixties I believe from the same supplier, steel pressings specialist Speedwell.

    • @ronvalente65
      @ronvalente65 3 роки тому

      @@PantherOwnersClub1 Didn't Norman have a B4 sports with a similar tank?

  • @ianlawrie919
    @ianlawrie919 2 роки тому

    Beautiful 👍👌

  • @billshuey7422
    @billshuey7422 3 роки тому

    Beautiful bike, after owning A Dot a Greeves and a Cotton, I have a love hate relationship with the Villiers a virtually indestructible engine with terrible electrics.

  • @andrewallen9993
    @andrewallen9993 2 роки тому

    You may want to look into using a lithium LiFePo battery with an inbuilt battery management system, works well with my Norton Commandos.

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  2 роки тому

      Thank you Andrew. I'm certainly not averse to thoughtful use of modern technology to improve reliability of our old bikes. Vehicle battery technology has certainly leapt forward after decades of lead sheets in an acid bath. I'm still marvelling at the relative performance of absorbed glass mat.

    • @andrewallen9993
      @andrewallen9993 2 роки тому +1

      @@PantherOwnersClub1 I annoy owners of modern motorcycles by pointing out that my 1970 Norton Commando fastback is fault tolerant.
      Moving magnet three phase alternator with six diode bridge rectifier ( bike will run and have park lights with up to two phases or two diodes failing) two sets of points, two condensers, two coils, two carburettors, two fuel taps, a battery that will boil slowly if the headlight is on if the zener diode fails and an electrolytic capacitor that will start the bike if pushed with a completely dead battery😈.

  • @andysaunders3708
    @andysaunders3708 Рік тому

    Did you run the original Villiers carbs, or change them to Amals?

  • @jezztech
    @jezztech 2 роки тому

    Have i got this correct you are using this on 120 to 1 per litre ? you said 60 / 1 so half is 120 to 1. It works mathematically opposite ??, so had 2 stroke Garelli moped pre mix, and Auto lube Suzuki,s in my past. So to update, i use my Mitsubishi powered Alpina 2 stroke 49cc two stroke grass trimmer, it says use 50/1 mix, i use castrol TT two stroke racing oil fully synth but at 40/1 because it runs appreciably much better at that ratio, i also use a Mccullock 1 liter mixing bottle , and to mix it at 40/1 you have to put more oil in on the measuring scale than at 50/1.

  • @tonypet1518
    @tonypet1518 2 роки тому

    What nice video, nearly turned off at beginning so glad I didn't. 😊

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  2 роки тому +2

      Thanks tony. Always interesting to speculate what drives viewers away in the first seconds. For me it's definitely bingly-bongly 'music' which has nothing to do with the subject matter!

  • @user-dr1bv7gg1r
    @user-dr1bv7gg1r 3 роки тому

    Had a sun 250 with 2t engine very reliable untile I road it off

  • @redtobertshateshandles
    @redtobertshateshandles 11 місяців тому

    Two strokes aren't that cheap when you consider two stroke oil. They also stink. A decent performance one is fun though.

  • @cerealtiller
    @cerealtiller Рік тому

    P and M 2 stokes..who made those?

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  Рік тому +1

      P and M assembled motorcycles from their own parts, with engines bought from Villiers in the West Midlands. The huge output of Villiers can be judged by their two-millionth engine, presented to The Science Museum in 1956.

  • @5892Andy
    @5892Andy 3 роки тому

    bore me with the details...please do. Great video.

  • @CZ350tuner
    @CZ350tuner 3 роки тому +1

    A lot of the Chinese motorcycle manufacturers appear to have never hard of quality control.....

  • @countryboy4542
    @countryboy4542 2 роки тому

    Being in the USA, everything is bass ackwards, shifter on the right & driving on the left side of the road, freaking me out. I'd kill myself looking for the brake while headlong into oncoming traffic.

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  2 роки тому +1

      I feel your pain Country Boy. I would suggest viewing through a mirror but you will them have the problem of a throttle twist-grip on the left and clutch lever on the right. You could watch the 1930 Panther in action, which has its footbrake pedal on the right, but then you'd have to cope with a hand change (shift). Maybe better to stick to what you know in the USA, like the Harley's suicide clutch...!

  • @exb.r.buckeyeman845
    @exb.r.buckeyeman845 2 роки тому

    What was the Panther 2T twin called.

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  2 роки тому +1

      Model 35 or the slightly modified one featured, a Model 35 Sports.

    • @exb.r.buckeyeman845
      @exb.r.buckeyeman845 2 роки тому

      @@PantherOwnersClub1 Thanks for replying, years ago I had a 600 or 650 Panther which had a half/stroke lever does that make sense ? a short lever on the timing side. I can’t remember how it worked though. Greetings from Cornwall.

    • @PantherOwnersClub1
      @PantherOwnersClub1  2 роки тому +1

      Yes, your memory serves you well @Ex B.R. Buckeye Man . A small third cam opens the exhaust valve for about half of the compression stroke when the lever is operated. You can see it here https: //ua-cam.com/video/JDjspyhMtIk/v-deo.html

  • @TheAmpguy
    @TheAmpguy 29 днів тому

    Worst handling bike I’ve ever owned! And the brakes were really bad.