Penguin / Beaver Parts Tips
Last updated 12 June 2007 - I will add to this list as time permits. I have pictures of some of the items listed, click on the highlighted text to see them.
This list is intended as a guide to help anyone who is restoring a Penguin or Beaver find replacement parts. I will mention any differences between a part listed and the original item. There may be other sources beside those listed here, if you have any information that could be added please E-Mail me.
Rear Tires - The original rear tires on the model "A" Penguin were 16" x 12" x 6" turf tread Goodyear Terra Tires. The "B" and "D" models used 16" x 15" x 6" Goodyear Terra Tread Terra Tires. The Beavers used 16" x 14.5" x 6" Goodyear Terra Tread Terra Tires, they may also have used the 16" x 15" x 6" size. I do not know of any sources for tires in these sizes. I have installed 18" x 8.5" x 8" tubes in them so they would at least hold air. This tube is a common lawn tractor size.
Front Tires - Both Goodyear Rib Tread All-Weather 2-ply and Firestone Transport Speed King 4-ply tires were used. They are 4.8 x 4 x 8. The Goodyear tires were also used on some lawn tractors in the 60's (Cub Cadet's) and wheelbarrows and can be found used on eBay. I have seen a 4 ply Goodyear tire with the same tread used on some Case and New Idea round balers and they may be available from dealers of this equipment (I have not confirmed this). This size is a common for wheelbarrow/trailer tires. The 2 ply wheelbarrow tire is preferred because of its ability to absorb bumps and is cheaper. The 4-ply tire has stiffer sidewalls and will give a rougher ride. Tubes are available from anyone that sells wheelbarrow or trailer tires (Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, etc).
Engine / Transmission Parts / Original Villiers Parts and Service Manuals and Special Service Tools - Contact Villiers Services or Moto-Ward . Give them the engine model number you have, telling them it is for a Penguin or Beaver probably won't help them. They also have the English pitch chain between the motor and the jackshaft. Some of the parts on the fan-cooled electric start engine are the same as the kick-start equipped motorcycle engine and may be found on eBay. There is a Penguin Parts Manual posted on Bev Wigney's site, click here to see it and the Penguin photos from her family's collection.
Siba Dynastart parts - the units used on Villiers engines were produced by Siba for Villiers and other engine makers and also used in the Messerschmitt 3-wheeler and BMW Isetta. Ignition points, starter brushes and relays may be the same. Harley Davidson golf carts used the Siba voltage regulator, their part number is 74508-63A. The terminals are bent where the Penguin/Beaver ones are straight but it is otherwise the same. I have seen these on eBay. The ignition system is a battery type, 12V negative ground and the engine will not run without a battery, even if you push start it. Push starting in any case should only be done in an emergency as it tends to bend the chain adjuster between the jackshaft and rear axle. If your engine does not have spark check the points for dirt before replacing any parts as it only takes a small piece of grit to keep the points from making contact. If you can hear your starter solenoid clicking but the engine does not crank over, check for sticking starter brushes. The springs get rusty and weak and the brushes may be gummed with carbon and not making contact with the commutator on the rotor. Springs can be replaced without replacing the brushes, I have found ones that fit in an assortment available at Princess Auto.
The "trailer hitch" shown here in the Kay Family Photos is actually a tow bar that allowed you to pull a Penguin behind your car. If you have one of these, don't use it. They put a lot of stress on the body of the Penguin and can actually cause it to break. I have a sketch of one style of hitch used to tow a trailer behind the Penguin that is easy to make. I will post a copy of it soon .
The exploded diagram and parts listing for the transmission which is shown in the Penguin Parts List for the B and D models, page 8, does not show a set of 14 loose 3/16" ball bearings. These are between the 27 tooth gear (item 11 in the Penguin parts List) and the Pressure washer (item 12) and are listed but not shown in the Villiers Parts Manual and the parts look up on Moto-Wards site.
The chain between the jackshaft and rear axle, the rear axle seals and bearings and front wheel bearings and seals are all sizes that should be available from auto parts stores or bearing suppliers or farm machinery places. Take what you need with you so they can determine the sizes. I will list the ones I know. There are two different chain sizes used between the jackshaft and rear axle, the A models originally used a size which was replaced on later models with a larger size.
Penguin and Beaver headlights were made by Wipac and were originaly sold as back-up ( reversing) lights for some european cars. Hella brand lights used on 1967 Volkswagens look very similar and their lenses will actually fit the Wipac brand ones.
Tail lights - there were at least three different one used on Penguins, two of these appear to have been used on the Beaver. Both machines used an oval light made by Dominion Auto (now defunct) that was a trailer tail light which required three mounting holes. Similar ones are now sold as "cat-eye" units for custom motorcycles. The ones on the Penguin and Beaver had a grey finish, they can now be found in chrome. They both also appear to have used a Wipac brand tail light made for motorcycles which used a single mounting hole. The Penguin also used a round glass lensed light but I have not been able to determine who made them.
Keys - If your machine has the ignition switch that turns to the left for reverse and you want a spare key, blanks are available. The original key is a "Union" brand and the replacements are made by ILCO and the p/n is UN20. You may be able to get them locally, check anywhere that cuts keys. I have purchased them off of eBay (search "ILCO UN20"). If you have no key and are unsure which switch you have contact me and I should be able to explain the differences. There was only one key that fit the "left for reverse" switch that I am aware of so if necessary I could copy one of mine and it should fit your machine.I have not located key blanks for the "push and turn right for reverse" switch, the original is a "Huf" brand item.
Brake Parts - Parts for the drum brake used on the Penguin and Beaver are still available. It is a Bendix 6" expanding drum brake used on Go-Karts. Brake shoes, hold-down springs, return springs, actuating levers and backing plates are available new. The only part of the brake assembly not available is the drum with the sprocket attached. One supplier is Go Kart Galaxy, I have not dealt with them but the parts they have listed under "renewal components" on this page will all fit Penguins and Beavers.
The 4 digit part numbers they reference also appear in other supplier listings with different prefixes added (ie AZ8100 ).Handles - The dash and rear lift handles and the front deck handle were off-the-shelf boat items that were available from Canadian Tire in the 60's.