A corner for VBs (and other sidevalves)

[Mike Nash]

What ho, Arielists!

With the encouragement of our Mr Admin I’m going to start a thread devoted to Ariel sidevalves, particularly the VB but I hope that other earlier and rarer types might find it a home too. I expect the contributions will be occasional and irregular but I hope the thread will pull together in one easy to find place those issues especially pertinent to this model and this type of engine. At the moment, the best UK site (perhaps the best internationally) for motorcycle air cooled sidevalves is the BSA WD M20 Forum which being aimed at World War II military bikes includes issues on sidevalve engines by BSA, Norton, Triumph and Royal Enfield. But as VBs never filled this role they aren’t covered directly and with an understandable effort on their part to keep that site “on topic”, Ariel sidevalves are, and will remain, outsiders.

So I’ll start shortly with a few points that’ve turned up on my VB as I nail it together and include a few links to bits about VBs that have occurred elsewhere on this site that I know of. I hope other VBers will join me; we sidevalvers must stick together!

Regards from MikeN.

[dave.owen]

Keep the flatheads running , SV really already booked for next june.it will be the 4th running of the event.
Details in cheval will be post xmas.or check my former posts.

Dave

[simon.holyfield]

Here's a question then. Speaking to the local machine shop who rebored my W/NG about reboring the Model A, I learned that getting a rebore on a fixed head side valve might be a problem.

Anyone experienced that?

[john.whiting]

Yes ,it can be a trap for young players ......the dummy prize being the head and barrel separate......most distressing to the owner........I had it happen when resleeving a pocket valve Harley ......fortunately in those days ,pocket valve cylinders wernt hard to find.......Nowday ,they are making new cylinders,said to be a very tricky casting job.

[garycullen]

Mike,
I am all in favour of AOMCC having a dedicated VB thread.
Gary

[john.whiting]

heres a pic of a VB and sidecar when it was new (1950),BCC meter readers outfit).....Someone here will be able to download it ...Brisbane City Council E-library picture .........BCC-CD20-806.......another interesting pic is BCC-CD22-807.....this bike lives in a back bedroom ,where it has been since the 1960s.

[adrian.hannam]

Here you go John...Does the Harley ever get started up in the bedroom?

Copyright is held by Brisbane City Council.
(Images can be reproduced for non commercial purposes with acknowledgement.)

Electricity Supply Meter Reader's motorcycle and sidecar Ariel 1950.

9749.JPG (49.61 KiB) Viewed 3246 times

Electricity Supply Meter Reader's motorcycle and sidecar Harley Davidson 1944.

9749.JPG (49.61 KiB) Viewed 3246 times

[john.whiting]

Matter of fact ,its recently been out in the sunlight first time since the 60s........The owner doesnt do computers ,so I got him a "rubber ducky" to replace the crumbled cork one ,cleaned the points ,fuel in the tank ,spray of aerostart,and started third kick like they always do ......Blew up the tires ,and he was off round the block ,......no rego ,which is confiscated for a month,dunno what would be left from the impound yard....anyhoo ,now its registered ,mobile roadworthy guy nearly fell out of his tree when he saw it ,so its location sure aint secret any more.

[john.whiting]

Some will note its not a UA,but a civilian bike ,one of only a few hundred made in 1944,and my brother says the front forks are not original ,but the 1947 solo trail type...........Needless to say .the bike is absolutely original otherwise.......and my brother says it would make a barn find knucklehead worth $100ks+

[Mike Nash]

M20 SPRINTER

For those interested in quick sidevalves perhaps you should watch this continuing thread . . .
http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/static/ ... 3&cmd=show
Regards from MikeN.