peterb Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi Glenn, When I were a lad in the UK, I had a Villiers 37A Sprite with std round barrel. It was very heavy. I looked at the 2 Sprite photos for a while and still couldn't see the support frame tube, can't remember now but I think there were either two frame tubes going from the footrest area to under the back of the tank area, or one single tube, not showing up on your photos. Steep fork angle, they were quite a bit more raked out at the front. Tim - Ken Sedgley built up the B40 that's in my bike shed. Bye, PeterB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparks2 Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi In reply to PeterB - The 1968 Sprite MK2 had no seat tube or tubes where you say. - They were built down to a price, you know. And because of this they were very prone to frame breakages. (Well, at least, when they were riden hard in their day). Now mainly riden by us grandads and have a much easier life. Kind Regards Sparks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn r Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Thanks for the comments again chaps. This one is only going to be ridden sympathetically I assure you. The bikes probably going to be more competitive than I am to be honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn r Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Well, I've got the bike, not had chance to get any photo's of it yet but watch this space. Comes with quite a it of history including the original sales receipt for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westyfield Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 (edited) Hi Glenn, I've just realised you have acquired the bike I bought about three years ago from a chap in Droitwich and which I then passed on to "Keith" in Clay Cross early last year.. from whom you bought it? But how it got to Devon I don't know! Not long after buying it I came across the Cheetah I now ride... When I acquired the Sprite the motor was very poor and my friend, former Centre rider, Howard Doncaster, spent a long time setting it up and testing the carb, Nametab ignition and compression ratio until it was an absolute "gem"... but I think Keith altered it! I know Keith also altered the head angle to make it turn tighter. I did not recognise it at first as Keith has also replaced it's former alloy tank with his steel "SWM" tank! The main alteration I made was to have the steel rims replaced with new alloys and to polish up the "British" hubs. I also fitted new dampers, NJB, I think. Apart from practise I never rode the Sprite "in anger" but remember the motor to be very "soft" and the steering quite heavy and tending to push in corners with a strange over centre "caster" effect!! Maybe Keith sorted that with the head angle alteration? Maybe catch you at Midland Classic, Peak Classic? Next run out is at the Man17 "Easy" trial this next Saturday I think.. Andyrew Edited September 16, 2008 by Westyfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn r Posted September 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi Andrew, thats great to know a bit more about where it's been. I bought it from the twinshock shop (www.twinshockshop.co.uk) so perhaps thats who Keith sold it to. Would be great to meet up with you at a trial. Struggling a bit this weekend but I'm sure we can fix something up. I bought it to replace a 350 unit twin Triumph that my Dad rides as it was getting a bit heavy for him. This one's much lighter. After a brief trip down south it's back in the Peaks again! What fuel mixture did you find best when you had it? This is the first Villiers lump I've had. Cheers mate, Glenn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westyfield Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Hi Glen, I used 35:1 with ordinary mineral two-stoke oil at that time but I now use 50:1 fully synthetic in the Villiers in my Cheetah. It would be interesting to hear what others think and use in theirs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn r Posted September 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Thanks Andrew, hopefully I'll have some pictures of it today, taking it out for a spin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teej84 Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Trying to track down some pictures and info on the following bike. Unfortunately no photo but I know its like this! My Research so far is as follows! Sprite is a historical British make of motorcycle, built by Hipkin & Evans, Sprite Motor Cycles, Oldbury, and later by Sprite Developments Ltd., Halesowen, Worcester (1965-1971). Sprite was an English manufacturer of trials and motocross (scrambles) machines that were mostly available in kit-form. They were built with 123-, 244-, and 405-cc two-stroke engines. It was also 'revived' under the name 'Redorne' but there is even less info on that! I know it is a Sprite and the engine (also Sprite) is a copy of the Husqvarna 405cc two stroke. It was also 'revived' under the name 'Redorne' but there is even less info on that! In case your wondering the bike in question is in dire need of TLC it was retired to my parents garden shed by my father in 1984 I think (from what I remember of the tax plate!) where it has sat and rotted. The good news is I want to restore it and need more research 1 in order to convince father that it would be a good project (easy part!) and 2 to convince mother it IS a GOOD idea (hard part!) Any help would be gratefully recieved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bantamboy Posted March 29, 2010 Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 I happened across your request while looking on Ebay for info on Sprite trials bikes I have a info pack from 1967 all in black and white with price lists and the like....are you still looking for this info Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigshineybike Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hi sprite fans. I have started a Flickr group for photos of Sprites. http://www.flickr.com/groups/1391096@N22/pool/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigshineybike Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 I just saw a movie on you tube part way through theres a clip of someone building a sprite in his shed. hope its of use. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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