) before the war was seen out and was looking to be, lovingly, looked after ............... So, here I am, with an original, almost complete, W/NG.
The engine number had been ground out and replaced with H2630. I found the correct number, though, in a different place which, luckily, had been overlooked by the second owner. This is BH11656 and is listed as part of the 3,000 Ariels requested, by the WD.
The Contract Number is C10477.
The frame number has been ground out and a different one added. This shows as H3279. I doubt I will ever know what the real number should be. But, there again, I consider this as part of the 'bike's history.
Now, according to Orchard & Maddern's listing this shows it was ordered late in '41 and the orders began coming through in Jan '42 with a completion by Feb '42. This has been verified by Draganfly, up in Bungay. Also, it is recorded as having 1,500 of the 'bikes go to Chilwell while the other half went to Ashchurch. Some to RAF and some to RN. From what I have been told, these were like distribution depots and the bikes would have been allocated their whereabouts from here. Is this correct? I cannot find any verification on this fact.
I need to replace all rubber components as they are pretty well perished. All except the tank knee grips as these are in, surprisingly, an OK condition. Shame that I have had to throw the tyres as these had been so unused that the little bits of rubber nobbles were still intact, and that the side walls stated these were WD with the noted arrow on them! I will need the following, if anyone can help:-
Handlebar grips
Handlebar anti-vibration clamp rubbers
Kickstart rubber
Gearchange rubber
Footrest rubbers
any other rubber component that I am not aware of?
This is where I have my first discrepancy. I have been told that the Gearchange rubber was not fitted to W/NGs. I do a lot of homework when I am interested in something but this seems odd. Can anyone put their input into this?
I have been questioned whether I should have, even, the two Ariel tank badges! For your information, my tank has the two indents either side but they are clean and smooth without any indication that they ever had any plate or fixing in place. This makes me question this as well: If the badges were attached with the two small screws (which, I have been told were then soldered into place to stop them vibrating free) then why do I not have any screw holes or, at least, a plate that may have been welded in place? Could my 'bike have used Ariel transfers instead? Could it not have been issued with any?
There are parts missing which I do know are required. These are:-
Handlebar horn button.
Regulator.
Top tool box
Bottom tool box
(and their associated brackets and 'bottle cap' knobs)
Field stand with its swivel bracket, spring clips and any other part associated with it.
Small chain for the oil tank cap.
Battery carrier and associated bracketry and straps.
Any help with the above would be grateful.
I was told that I must follow the relevant Owners Manual/Guide for my 'bike. Being that it is part of the Contract C10477 this dates it to late '41/very early '42. I have this manual but it does state, on the cover, that it is a reprint (and, therefore, updated and edited?) from '43. I was told (and pointed out in the manual) that my 'bike was issued with pannier frames, canvas bags and the 'Y' straps. Also, that it had a head lamp blackout mask. And that EVERYTHING was painted in a khaki green........Oh, and then, I was told (in the next breath!
) that it would have been totally down to each division/regiment/soldier/ or what have you, as to what they requested or how they finished it at their end!!??!!This is what started the cogs whirring. I know that my 'bike looks pretty much today as the day it left the RAF field back in the 40's. I started researching and found this information:-
The R.A.M.T.S. Circular (dated October 1943) requested that (as part of ongoing concerns):
B.273 [date from] 12-06-42 Fitting of pannier bags and pillion seat conversion sets [for] Ariels
and.......
The R.A.M.T.S. Circular (dated January 1945) requested that (as part of ongoing concerns):
MOTORCYCLES
HEADLAMPS
(a) High power circuit 24-watt bulb.
(I) Low power circuit 3-watt bulb.
(ii) W.D. Pattern masks will be fitted.
(iii) If masks not available, action as in para. 2 (a) (v) above.
[Which is.......]
(v) If mask not available, light exit 2 inch diameter semi-circular hole in opaque material fitted behind the glass. Base of hole on centre line of lamp and circumference below it. Lower half of reflector painted Matt black up to 1/2 inch above centre line.
My 'bike shows no signs of any pannier frames being fitted let alone any holes in the mudguard to take the requested pillion seat. Also, I have no blackout mask fitted. Instead, I do have a slightly blackened half of the reflector and part of the glass.
As you can see I am ( and have) having great headaches over this. I would be most grateful of the following help:-
Finding the parts that need replacing, or are missing, from the above.
Knowing what to do about the tank badges.
How the field stand attaches to the frame using the swivel joint.
Should all my nuts, bolts, screws really be 'cotterised' when most will be painted over anyway?
Then there is the finish of the 'bike! Another great can of worms!
I am in contact with IWM and RAF, etc as I am hoping to find out where the 'bike was distributed and, finally, issued. Does anyone have an idea how I can find out what regiment/division/RAF/RN would have had this 'bike? This would, probably, dictate what colour finish I should have. But, there again, do I finish it in the appropriate colours as a tribute to my dad, who was a part of the SBS during the War and landed at Anzio and helped liberate Rome? If so, what would I have to do to get the colours and markings?
I know all this is pretty long winded but I would appreciate any help, directions, pointers, input or, even, argumentative discussion! The best bit of advice I have had, so far, is to go by original photographs of the date for my 'bike. Not photographs of 'bikes that have been rebuilt in modern times.
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Regards.
&e
