VG 500 1938 - Rear mudguard

[e.vermeulen]

Hello, I am Erik and I recently became the owner of a 1938 (or 1939) Ariel VG 500. The motorcycle was put together more than 20 years ago by an Ariel lover (but technical amateur) Svein Rohmesmo. 20 years ago when his Ariel project was nearly finished, he was struck with MS disease, so he never got the Ariel complete and running. Now, more than 20 years later, he was ready to sell the motorcycle to me. I bought it because I love the shapes of the Ariel and to help Svein financially. As I said the Ariel is put together amateurishly. It is quite complet with the right parts (car. Roger Gwynn) that Svein bought at flea markets all over Europe 20 years back. I plan to redo the electric circuits (cable loom) and get it running. I'm not aiming at concours condition. I want to ride the bike as Svein put it together. I like his stories of getting all the different parts all over Europe. What strikes me and dishonors the motorcycle is the rear mudguard that was put together really bad (ugly). I send you a few pictures. Sven used a door hinge and made a (poor) mounting bracket. Is it possible to have the mudguard fixed somewhere or do I have to go searching for an alternative? All ideas are welcome. I hope to get the Ariel on the road in 2021 and visit the UK riding it. Kind regards. Erik

[alan.moore]

Erik, welcome to the forum.
That is a very nice looking motorcycle. Looks like a 1938 as the front forks do not have the additional re-bound' springs and it has the earlier primary drive cases. Frame number and engine number should reveal all. The Draganfly site https://www.draganfly.co.uk/ has loads of info and lists of frame numbers V years. if you join the Ariel Owners Club you will have access to the clubs spares parts scheme and access to lots of documentation i.e parts books, owners manuals etc.

Anyway onto the mudguard:

The original mudguard hinge was 75mm (3 inch) wide. Your door hinge looks a bit longer and maybe the cutouts in the mudguards have been widened so it fits? Other than the width of hinge and number of 'rotating' segments it appears to fit OK and does its job. If you painted it and possibly used some dome headed screws to hold it on it would blend in fine and save you the trouble of making a replacement ?

FYI if you really want to change it you can make a more appropriate hinge using a garden gate T hinge. Here are a couple of posts which show how one can be adapted

http://forum.arielownersmcc.com/viewt ... =49&t=8302

http://forum.arielownersmcc.com/viewt ... 5&start=20

Just requires a bit of extra plate to be welded onto a shortened gate hinge. When done it looks just like original. You should be able to drill holes in it to match those already in the mudguard.

Regarding the 'mounting bracket' if you mean the rear number plate then that is the wrong one for the bike and the correct one would make a great improvement to the look of the rear end. You should easily be able to find the correct plate and rear light unit. Have a look at this link to see what should be fitted https://www.draganfly.co.uk/ariel/4-str ... ber-plates. It should have a rib across the centre but if you are not too bothered about absolute authenticity there are similar ones on ebay a bit cheaper.
Tail light types are here https://www.draganfly.co.uk/ariel/4-str ... ail-lights

Bets of luck and come back and ask questions on anything you need to know.

Cheers
Alan

[nevhunter]

You are fortunate to have an original mudguard. The "new" hinge appears to sit OK and others (or Myself)can measure the original dimension (length) if it helps. The front part has to fit under the support stay so can't be any thicker.. Painted,you would not notice it and it will survive as well as an original hinge. Nice model to have.. Nev

[e.vermeulen]

Alan, thank you for the advice. I'm impressed with the result of your work on the mudguard of your WNG. Very nicely done (bolts, hinges, ...)! I think I'm going to see what I can do with the hinge that is mounted on my mudguard. Only, I will have to make a new support for the fixed part of the mudguard to the handlebar. The former owner made a very bad one himself. Is this support brace also fixed with screws or is it welded to the mudguard?
Erik

[e.vermeulen]

Hi Nev, thank you for the advice. I appreciate it. I think I'll stick with the present hinge and give it a go.

[e.vermeulen]

Does anyone have a picture of the underside of mudguard to see how the hinge and support brace are fitted to the mudguard?
Thanks
Erik