Author Topic: Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA  (Read 1980 times)

Online orabanda

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Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA
« on: 14.07. 2011 05:57 »
Hi all,

I am being tempted (again!).

I have the opportunity to buy an Ariel 500 single, as follows:

All alloy engine
1941
Plunger frame
Supposed to be one of three to come into Australia

It has been ridden in competition from first purchase; currently sports knobbly tyres, no headlight or front guard, has magdyno (without dyno), and is not running because of "slipped timing".

My questions are:

Is this a rare beast?

What do you think it is worth?

I have a '56 Red Hunter frame (swing arm, with full width hubs), with a '47 350 engine in it, and am considering fitting the 500; would it fit?

Regards,
Richard

Online Brian

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Re: Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA
« Reply #1 on: 14.07. 2011 06:50 »
A couple of pages that may help (or may not!), the first one being engine numbers from 1926 t0 1965, might help identify the engine.

http://www.australian-ariel-register.com/documents/Ariel_engine_and_frame_prefix_numbers.pdf

The second one the web site of the Australian Ariel register, someone on there may have some more info.

http://www.australian-ariel-register.com/

It would be worth trying to find out some history Richard just in case is it something rare, you never know.

Whats it worth, if its cheap then buy it anyway !

I dont know for sure but if your frame has a 350cc in it already I would say there is a very good chance the 500 would go straight in.

Online orabanda

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Re: Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA
« Reply #2 on: 14.07. 2011 08:37 »
More info:

Frame:                                S1156
Engine:                                MN228
Gearbox:                            G107AF50
Carby:                                 10119

From the engine no, this is a 1950 machine.





Richard

Offline tombeau

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Re: Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA
« Reply #3 on: 14.07. 2011 11:50 »
That looks great!
Buy it quick before someone else snaps it up!
This is what you really want to hear isn't it?
Cheers,
Iain

Offline jfligg

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Re: Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA
« Reply #4 on: 14.07. 2011 12:56 »
Hi Richard
  I have a friend who is a Ariel Guru.  I will forward your info and see if he knows anything.  Jeff

Online chaterlea25

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Re: Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA
« Reply #5 on: 15.07. 2011 00:57 »
Hi Richard,
It looks to me like someone has grafted the ultra rare round base barrel onto a standard crankcase ????
the head may belong with the barrel ??
The VHA's had a forward angled plug like this one , but I believe this top end preeceeds the VHA model
HTH
John O R
1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)

Offline wilko

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Re: Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA
« Reply #6 on: 15.07. 2011 01:32 »
They certainly have done some grafting.A round base onto a square case! And not using all base studs.Good find though. Better start looking for the correct cases. Or part exchange money your way for an iron top end.

Offline *nick*

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Re: Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA
« Reply #7 on: 31.07. 2011 09:08 »
beauty!

Richard if you have any more pictures could you please PM me some, i'm building a B33 special is a similar style.

-Nick

Offline Rocket Racer

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Re: Advice wanted please; Ariel not BSA
« Reply #8 on: 01.08. 2011 09:28 »
The alloy top end is very pretty, very ZB goldie ish. as previously mentioned otherwise a bitsa motor so not immensely valuable and by the hi/lo footpegs has spent some time as a flat tracker ingesting dust so most likely a tired wee beastie.
But it is pretty and makes a nice special.
A good rider periodically checks all nuts and bolts with a spanner to see that they are tight - Instruction Manual for BSA B series, p46, para 2.
New Zealand