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Just picked this up on my travels. Can anyone tell me much about it? I'm guessing its 1960's? Overall it looks quite good, just the bottom of the box has rotted out.

Just done the same with my mobile phone, result another £120 saved with more minutes included as well.

Heres a few photos of todays progress. New tyres fitted ( don't know where they came from but found them in my shed). New exhaust fitted (again was on the shelf in my shed). And the pipe was painted in some VHT silver. The final photo shows how bad the recoil starter and the flywheel screen was. The screen had to come from America but the recoil...yep you've guessed it!

Heres the main chasis with the top coat on. And in the 3rd photo the engine is back together. Just the exhaust needs changing and waiting on one more decal.

Thanks Paul, that's the plan. One of the things that I got on with first was the engine. It was stripped down, valves reground etc(no points on this one). Then the paint was stripped, the air filter housing and tank repaired (new ones were redicoulas prices) then everything was painted in the nearest shade of red that I had. Then some excellent decals from Titch were applied.

After a few months of waiting I finally received a call from the blaster to say that it was ready. He doesn't charge a lot, just wish he was more reliable.

One of the reasons that work on my Sachs Gem has been slow recently is that I have dug this 650 out. As a lot of you may know in 1985 Howard went into receivership and Dowdeswell purchased the design rights to The Gem. In 1986 production started back up with a few small changes. As ive got G206 ( I still haven't yet managed to turn up a Gem with a lower serial number) I thought that they would look good side by side to show how little the design changed over 50 odd years. I spotted this example on good old ebay. It looked in quite a sorry state but after having the factory records checked it showed up that this very machine was Dowdeswells exhibition model on their stand at The Windsor show in 1987-Does anyone have any photos from this year please? It is also quite likely but I don't have definite proof that it was also featured in the one sales Brochure and Dowdeswell's magazine called Tillage.

I just noticed that BT had sneaked my bill up to £46.00, so I gave them a call and asked them what's the best price they could do, to begin with they said £40.00 was the very best, so I told them to cancel it, the next thing you know they dropped to £26.00, result. That's a saving of £240 a year! Next I guess I'll have a go at the electric company!

Probably one of the truest statements that I've ever read. Years ago I gained a bit of a reputation locally as a Gx Honda guru, ( before all the Chinese stuff got about)people used to ask me what my secret was in sorting out so many problem engines and I said there was none, simply pop the head off,de coke, grind the valves in, new plug and air filter plus fresh fuel and then 99% of them would be sorted. It was rare that I had to delve deeper,usually took less than two hours from start to finish.

As a rule I allways do both valves when servicing any engine, however I guess I have got so used to people telling me that I'm wrong that valves cause fuel issues that I've developed the habit of only recommending the exhaust. Always do both reguardless of how good compression seems.

Carrying on with the build up...

Personally I'd reg rind the exhaust valve and replace the diaphragm.

Have now started fitting up the Gem. First on was the wheels followed by the radiator. On the nearside wheel I had to fit an extra wheel disc to act as a spacer due to the tyre rubbing on the bellhousing (such a shame the original Dunlop tyres are no longer available.) This in turn will mean the springs need shortening. I have also trail fitted the bonnet. Now it has dried Im hoping that I may get away with sanding it smooth with 2500 wet and dry.

Thanks, still a long way to go though.

Im afraid none of you were quite right. This evening I took advantage of the lack of rain and sprayed it up. On the whole it came out ok, however I think im going to have to flatten back the bonnet and redo it, as I not 100% happy with the finish.

Thankyou for your wishes.

Having re engine a few hayterettes, id suspect either something was rubbing or have you got a bit of hydraulic lock in the cylinder?

A couple of nights ago I gave the main chasis a going over with the wire brush. Tonight the engine got masked up and a couple of coats of etch primmer, followed by a couple more of high build primmer. Just got to wait for a dry evening now to prime the rest and apply topcoat. Bet you cant guess the colour!

Hi if it's any help the engine in the picture is the same as an F15 Villiers. They were produced with both the Villiers and the BSA badges.

Here should be a dating guide http://www.stationaryengine.org/lister_dating4.html

managed to make a bit more progress with the bottom cowl tonight. A previous owner had welded on some stops for the bonnet to rest on. All I can say is when I came to grind them off that they did a very thourgh job of welding them in place! Took a look time to remove.

Wasn't there a very nicely restored one at tractor world a few years back?

Thanks, can't work out wether or not I like the look of it. Kind of looks like the result of an illicit get together of a merry tiller and a motorbike.

Thanks Paul, its something a bit different for shows, should be at Newbury in October.

Found some handle grips in the workshop, and fitted. Also fitted the blades. Just waiting on a few bolts and a belt and then itll be finished.