chain wont line up

[JimWalsh]

i have a 500 single and the clutch chainwheel wont line up with the engine sprocket its as though the clutch needs to go in more about a 1/4 inch also which way should the cam assembly face ie; where should the three pegs on it be to line up with the quadrant

[will_curry]

Jim,

If I remember correctly from your earlier posts you have a 1957 or 58 500 with a 1958 HS engine.

The problem you describe usually happens when the wrong spacer is behind the engine sprocket.
Later frames, gearboxes and engines use 1250-56 which is a bit under 3/4" wide. The earlier
version 1250-35 is a little over 1/2" wide.

As regards the gear selector cam position I don't think it matters but somebody else will be
along soon to correct me if I'm wrong.

Some photos of the engine shaft with the sprocket in place and the gearbox mainshaft would be
helpful. Also there will be a number on the gearbox - something like GB40 or maybe GB45 - and
a date code - like C57 which also might help.

[keith.mettam]

Hi Jim,
Position the middle peg at 9 o'clock and you'll be ok.
Cheers,
Keith.

[JimWalsh]

hi Will the numbers on the gearbox are GB40 then either R or K 56

[will_curry]

Thanks Jim, the numbers are what I would expect from an early 1957 VH.

Ariel moved the primary drive out in 1956 to cope with the fully enclosed
rear chainguard - FERC. This meant that the gearbox mainshaft was lengthened
along with the engine drive side mainshaft and a thicker spacer was used behind
the engine sprocket. At the same time Ariel went from the single-sided brakes
to the alloy full-width brakes.

This moving of the primary drive causes all sorts of frustration at times. The one other
problem you may just encounter is that your engine has a short mainshaft instead
of the proper long one. If it does have a short mainshaft you will have difficulty in
assembling the spring onto the engine shaft shock absorber. There is an older thread
on the forum with measurements and pictures which may be helpful.

Once you've sorted all that lot out the final challenge of course is to persuade the oil
to remain in the chaincase.

[JimWalsh]

Thanks Jim, the numbers are what I would expect from an early 1957 VH.

Ariel moved the primary drive out in 1956 to cope with the fully enclosed
rear chainguard - FERC. This meant that the gearbox mainshaft was lengthened
along with the engine drive side mainshaft and a thicker spacer was used behind
the engine sprocket. At the same time Ariel went from the single-sided brakes
to the alloy full-width brakes.

This moving of the primary drive causes all sorts of frustration at times. The one other
problem you may just encounter is that your engine has a short mainshaft instead
of the proper long one. If it does have a short mainshaft you will have difficulty in
assembling the spring onto the engine shaft shock absorber. There is an older thread
on the forum with measurements and pictures which may be helpful.

Once you've sorted all that lot out the final challenge of course is to persuade the oil
to remain in the chaincase.

i have found the problem as i said before never put an ariel together before so assumed the the clutch went in in one piece so when i took the chainwheel off of the clutch hub it was fitted the wrong way round now its on and all line up .i dont think that the oil remained in any british bike for long they all started crying sooner or later regards Jim

[will_curry]

Jim

I'm glad you've found the problem and that the fix is straightforward.

[JimWalsh]

on the 500 red hunter do you have to put the front section of the 4 piece chain gaurd on before you fit the gearbox, as i have tried every way and cant get the front section on at all,if the gearbox has to come out again to fit it then there may be a 4 piece chaincase for sale and i will fit a hockey stick.regards Jim

[keith.mettam]

No Jim the GB gearbox can stay in place. You will need to have the clutch, outer and inner primary chaincases removed and the final drive sprocket on the gearbox mainshaft off before fitting the front fully enclosed rear chain guard (ferc) section.
Regards,
Keith.

[will_curry]

Jim

I may well get into trouble for saying this but the ferc can be a real pain in the workshop.
It's tricky to fit properly and it makes getting at the chain something of a fight. Unless
you're a stickler for originality you could do worse than fit a hockey stick which is what
the HS had anyway. What is well worth doing if you do decide to leave the ferc off is to
modify the rear chain oiler from the oil tank so it still oils the back chain.

For what it's worth none of my Ariels, including the Arrow, have fercs.