Wanted 48 VH Tele Rigid Frame

[jon.spawls]

I have discovered what I believe to be a crack in the headstock casting of my much used and loved 48 VH500 whilst removing the engine for overhaul this weekend.

Does any kind soul have a suitable tele-rigid frame for sale ?

Does any kind soul have a good condition 500 VH cast iron head they could be parted from ?

I am in the North East of England.


Thanks, JonS.

[admin]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-ARIEL ... 4162a5aef1

Fit later running gearf, yes/no ?

[jon.spawls]

Thanks,
I had seen that item on e-bay. Thats the question will my post-war stuff fit OK.

The Draganfly catalouge has only one rigid frame from 27-55 listed so that seems to indicate it would, does any on know for sure ?

Thanks, JonS.

[john.whiting]

All over 250 single cylinder frames are virtually the same,check the number to verify.You may be buying someone elses trouble.Repair your own frame.Vee out the crack and use nickel bronze rod as filler.You might use a smidgin of cast iron flux,gives superior wetting action,but not too much.Once you get sweating,use ordinary braze flux.Protect the head bearings from heat,remove if necessary.Do not,repeat,use arc or oxy welding,you will ruin the metal if you melt it for a weld.Dont believe me? Regards John.

[jon.spawls]

Got the frame paint wire brushed off the crack area this afternoon and the crack is defo at a previous weld repair were somebody has let in a new tube and just badly butt welded it to the stub of the old instead of brazing in new, still need to crack detect the headstock casting.

I talked today to a guy in Kent called Terry Mead who makes and repairs all types of frames for older machines in particular. He was pretty sure a repair was on and at a price a lot less than a second hand replacement.(One is on the bay at the moment at a starting price of 235 quid), and the old girl gets to keep her original frame.

So I think when I get back to blighty next time I will strip the rest of the bike off the frame and send it to him.

I feel much happier entrusting such structural work to a good specialist.

John, thanks for the repair information, much appreciated

Thanks JonS.

[ariel.andersen]

Hi John.
Have you got a VH iron head.
If not I have this for sale also twin port in "stock".
Regards
jorgen