Buns

Trapeazartist, the link posted by Esuark is almost exactly like mine, but the gearbox/engine cover is a two piece and that my tank was chromed on the flanks rather than painted silver. So, ROA was a Spanish brand based in Madrid, that made motorbike, side cars and 3-wheeler vans that only survived for 15 years (1952-1967). Besides the Hispano Villiers engine and the Albion gearbox, bverything on the bike was made by them (chassis, handlebar, levers, hubs, rear light, saddle etc) so I can´t source replacements from other more commonly available spanish brands. The only other branded bits are the Artes (Barcelona) headlight glass, Leonelli (Barcelona) horn, the bar mounted lightswitch (which is period, but I suspect isn´t original because the one mounted on the headlight was bypassed) and the Avis speedo. Concequently, as Turbofurball as already rightly pointed out, finding replacement parts has been a pain in the backside. Although I have some abilities with a lathe/mill/welding torch, I´ve no equipment, and since I don´t plan to live permanently in Spain, I don´t want to invest in anything I can´t get into a suitcase! Unfortunately, the owners son can´t ride and doesn´t care about bikes, so it was dumped in a field in Galica for 40 years or so. For those of you unfamiliar with Spanish geography Galicia is much more like the UK than our common perception of Spain. Its extreemly humid and it rains alot! For example it is now 12:00 and the sun has yet to break through the fog. So there´s a bit of corrosion on some of the parts... The handlebars cracked, the lever bent, the headlight glass and speedo shattered, the tank dented, the frame bent and the centre stand twisted out of shape, seat springs snapped.. But otherwise she´s in good nick. As you´ve seen, a restored one goes for 2,500 €, so thats my target budget...

Mine´s on a ROA Super Foxter 200 (1960) that’s not run for about 40 years. Its a Spanish bike fitted with a Villers 197 7E. As far as I know, there´s nothing wrong with the box, apart from 28,000 Km of wear and tear and 40 years of rusting in a barn…Unfortunately, when it comes to the gearbox, I´ve fallen at the first hurdle. From what I´ve read in Motor Cycle & Cycle Trader´s Servicing Data Sheet No. 4 and referring to the exploded diagram (Parts System | EXG074 (villiers.info) the “Bush operating shaft outer” (9) should just slide off the operator shaft (20). But its stuck solid. No amount of pulling, heating or WD-40 has shifted it a mm. Any suggestions on where to go from here appreciated!

Hi All from not so sunny Spain, I´m a complete classic bike newbie, restoring my partners grandfathers ROA Super Foxter 200 (1960) and enjoying myself very much in the process.