Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

This is my father's bike, reg NHA 386, not showing on the DVLA site so may no longer exist.
I would love to know what type of Ariel it is and what he was doing. Shirt and tie and no helmet!
I'm guessing the photo is late 40s or early 50s. He later had an AJS 500 twin which is still on the road but no idea where.

Thank you.
Rosalind

It looks to me like a 1946 or 1947 VH 500 single - BUT - it seems to be fitted with alloy competition mudguards characteristic of the 1949 onward VCH so perhaps its a 46/47 VH pictured after 1949.

That is hard braking, presumably to avoid crossing the white line. I like the markers
which look like pistons with poles through their crowns. Some sort of trial?

Could that be a seafront somewhere?

The forks and hub are 1946-47 but the engine looks like a 1937 to me becouse i don't see rockerboxes, the car on the right would make the photo 50ies.

Thanks for the replies.
I know he did some sort of trials on his bikes, including some on the Isle of Man, there are some small trophies somewhere. This is the only other picture I have of the Ariel.

hi nice old photos , hope you have luck finding the Ariel, someone on the forum may know where it is, or what happened to it they are very good at find bikes or parts, good luck

I think it runs covered in rockers and that front drum is only for a short time 1947? I think alloy guards are an option for many bikes after about 1935 and I doubt Ariel didn't do it also. I'm sure I've seen it catalogued. The VCH type has a handle to pull the front out of mud and is a different style. Best guess from me is it's a 1947 VH.. Nev

The registration is from Smethwick and I think it dates from 1950.

Doesn't help with the dating but it looks to me to have a dualseat rather than a saddle (1st photo)

SG

The sporty version of the 1930 500 OHV had an inclined rear seat to slide back onto when you are getting down to it (or to counter the tremendous acceleration) so this maybe a version of that. He also has the horn in a more safe place. The standard STAYS still used for the rear alloy guard are unusual too ALL very practical for the purpose intended. . Nev