Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

I’ve been making some really good progress with the square four. I’ve spent a lot of time cleaning up the engine and repainted the barrels and head.

Today was the day to fit the engine. Using an idea from a member I had seen elsewhere, I made a frame out of some wood, which made light work of the fitting.

I think progress will stall a little now, as I need to get the magdyno refurbished

Some of the parts of building this bike are a joy. Clearly the guy who built it last time knew what he was doing! Remote oil filter a very neat solution and something that usually involves a lot of head scratching when I need to make a bracket.

Unfortunately other things not so fun - rear wheel taper roller bearings are not in good condition. More expense. Does anyone have any feedback on the quality of ‘Timken’ bearings?

Rob - I'm not exactly up to date on these wheel bearings but I'm not sure there's much choice outside what Drags have in stock?
(http://forum.arielownersmcc.com/viewtop ... lit=timken)

Nice work, otherwise!

SG

I wish I had a photo of that oil filter bracket when I built my 1937 Square Four. The arrangement on the 1937 bike is nothing like as good as that on the 1948 one.

Rob. Imperial sized bearings are about 4 times the cost of Metric near equivalents Timken are a good brand. If water is kept out they will see you out. Just pay the price and go onto the next problem. Nev

I still have some wheel bearings. I don't know how much a new van will cost. They are already quite expensive

https://www.arielklub.sk/inzerat-21358- ... 20-ni.html

Thanks Nev and Karol,

I have found some Timken bearings on eBay at a reasonable price and parted with the money.

Rob

Frustratingly, the bearings ordered appear to be a totally different bearing which has had a sleeve fitted to it. The sleeve is too small for the spindle and the rollers are much smaller than the originals.

So, they are going back and I will buy some from the vintage bearing company, which I should have done in the first place, since they are only 5 minutes away!

It looks like this sleeve in the new ones can be taken out?
but by the look of it you end up with a too big hole, hmmm, DIY new sleeve?
Nah, Vintage Bearings is better !

Rob,
When you refitted the engine using the wooden frame did you do it single handed or did you have a "glamorous assistant" to help?
Serious question - it looks like you need someone on either side of the frame to lift it in unless I am missing a trick.