OzSTOC

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sabie on January 10, 2013, 03:30:23 PM

Title: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: Sabie on January 10, 2013, 03:30:23 PM
Hi to all the OzSTOC Guru's

I am looking for a little bit of help in idetifying an Ariel Motorbike which my Dad owned (Pictured) when he was a young man. I was always lead to believe that it was an Ariel Square Four. But looking at some photos there are quite a few differences, eg exhaust location, engine shape rear wheel assembly and so on. I thought it might be an Ariel Red Hunter???? but I know next to zip on these beautiful old bikes. My Dad died of Cancer in 2006, otherwise I would have asked him.

My goal is to one day find one to own....... it's my dream weather it comes true or not.

If anyone can re ID the bike for me would be great and approximately what year.

Thanks everyone.

Cheers

Sab

(http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii610/pmdodds1/Family/DadAriel_zps0599eedb.jpg) (http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/pmdodds1/media/Family/DadAriel_zps0599eedb.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: rjstorrie on January 10, 2013, 03:34:19 PM
I know a vintage guru, I'll pass the pic onto him. You'll have everything you'll ever want to know about the bike.

Rob.
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: Sabie on January 10, 2013, 03:35:24 PM
Top Stuff Rob  :thumb, Thanks very much mate... :thumbs

Cheers
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: alans1100 on January 10, 2013, 03:59:30 PM
Have a look here http://www.classic-british-motorcycles.com/ariel-motorcycles.html (http://www.classic-british-motorcycles.com/ariel-motorcycles.html)

The second bike pictured looks awfully close......
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: Breharna on January 10, 2013, 04:52:53 PM
Looks like a Red Hunter to me....

There are two that I can find for sale just now.

One in NSW on bikesales for $6990

One at Classic Motorcycle Warehouse in Seaford Victoria for $8990

But, is it is one of the rare things in life that is older than me, so my knowledge is limited... :rofl
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: Sabie on January 10, 2013, 05:00:07 PM
Best I can make out is  it's a 1946 VH....
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: winston66 on January 10, 2013, 06:00:43 PM
Winston66
My reference book Great British Bikes, ISBN 0-7481-0020-2 page22 has an illustration of a look alike with the same exhaust and sloping timing chain / magneto drive cover, forks and headlamp and tank with kneepad and has the caption .
Ariel Red Hunter a 250 CC machine built in1936
The square Four a 1931 497CC , that is also pictured of the same era has a radicly different exhaust,but the forks and the headlight and tank look similar.
 Cheers ,winston66
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: ST2UP on January 10, 2013, 07:00:14 PM
My oldman had a square four when he was about 25..... Will start looking for some pics.

Cheers
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: atoyot on January 10, 2013, 07:51:31 PM
Definately not a Square Four, but a Red Hunter. I reckon a bit earlier than 46, probably pre-WWII, with a girder front and rigid rear and chrome tank. Definately a 500, methinks. :)
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: West Aussie Glen on January 11, 2013, 12:13:51 AM
Certainly not a square four

http://www.theworldofmotorcycles.com/zoom_ariel_square_four_1950.html (http://www.theworldofmotorcycles.com/zoom_ariel_square_four_1950.html)
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: Silky on January 11, 2013, 01:07:05 AM
It is an Ariel Red Hunter 1937 model 497cc

assuming it's a 500 but these were made as 250 and 350 capacity also
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: saaz on January 11, 2013, 08:15:07 AM
It looks exactly like the picture of a Ariel VH500 Red Hunter in one the of the books I have.  In 350 and 500 sizes, built from 1932 to the late 50s
Title: Re: Ariel Motorbike
Post by: rjstorrie on January 11, 2013, 11:42:59 AM
It is an Ariel Red Hunter 1937 model 497cc

assuming it's a 500 but these were made as 250 and 350 capacity also

That's what my guru mate said, but he added "it's been chromed to the sh!t house" as the Aussies like things shiney. He said they were made between 1937 and 1941 for consumers and after that were made for the war only in the 350cc. There would be 2 letters somewhere that distinguish the model, but can't remember where he said they'd be.

Hope this helps.