Jan`s Luxus- Villiers
The pace of Jan Rasmussen, more specifically a Villiers Luksus from 1952, is fairly spartan, quite far from Luksus, but all the more charming. And best of all; it is almost completely original and unrestored. Villiers like that are few and far between.
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Jan Rasmussen from Ask outside Hønefoss has always had a strong interest in vintage motorcycles. He says that he has had many Tempo mopeds over the years. In addition to an old Volkswagen and a number of old pedal bikes, he now only has the Villiersen, but that's enough. It gives you that good feeling when the blue smoke seeps out of the fishtail muffler.
Forgotten in a warehouse
The Villiers belonged to the father of a friend of Jan's, and was stored in an outbuilding on Helgelandsmoen just north of Hønefoss. The bike was scrapped in 1973 and "forgotten" by everyone except Jan. "I had been drooling over this particular Tempo for many years, and when the owner passed away in 2015 I bought it." Since no sales notice had been written and no change of ownership had been made in connection with the death of the owner, there was a lot of "paper mill" until Jan had new registration documents made.
Has the original registration number
It was worth the effort and on top of that he was allowed to use the original registration number F-14920 which was placed on the front fender in a timely manner, just as it was when it was first registered, December 6, 1952. When we write at the outset that the bike is original, it is a truth, but with one ever so slight exception. The engine that now sits in the frame is a 150-cubic cc engine, with a little more "thrust".
150 cubic meters gives more thrust
To get a little more thrust in the engine, Jan has replaced the original 125cc engine with a 150cc engine, and it comes in handy, especially on the uphills. Although this gives the bike a certain departure from the original, the new engine is also a Villiers and then we say it is "inside". When Jan bought the Villiers it wouldn't start so he changed the spark plugs and condenser, gave it new oil, petrol and a new spark plug. The engine still ran a little poorly, and he quickly found out that the rear part of the exhaust was clogged. A not uncommon phenomenon on old 2-strokes, and once the oil slurry and coke were removed the engine ran as it should.
Reverse 1st gear
The first test drive was exciting, however, because Jan discovered that the gearing was reversed compared to Tempo with Sachs engine. On the Villiersen, 1st gear is up and the rest down, in other words the reverse of Sachs . "Sometimes I still missshift," he says. Jan has no plans to restore the Villiersen. Fortunately, because an original Tempo Villiers is relatively rare compared to the Sachs models, and a rolling piece of Norwegian cultural history.
Technical data Tempo Villiers Luxury 125 ccm, 1952 model:
Engine: 1-cylinder 2-stroke
Displacement: 124 cc
Carburetor: Villiers type 3/4
Power: 6 hp
No. of gears: 3
Electrical system: 6 volts, 30 watts
Tires: 2.75 x 19 front and rear
Tank volume: 8.5 liters
Weight: 75 kg
Top speed: 90 km/h
