Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

Hi guys
I am looking for a seat and a speedo for my HT5 project. Anyone out there got such a thing or maybe advise me where I could try.
Again my thanks for any help you can provide,
Regards Ian

The original seat was a sprung saddle which was considered both too high, too heavy
and too springy and consequently seemed to have disappeared very quickly, even
before SHM started modifying HTs. If you intend to ride yours off-road I'd suggest any
of the offerings from the classic trials people.

My book suggests that the original speedo was a Smiths S659/L which I'm pretty sure
is a 'D' shaped 0 - 70 mph speedo with an alloy body. This is what my HT has but it is
marked as S.665/L.

Do you have the proper speedo gearbox fixed to the back wheel? Without that things may
get a trifle complicated.

hi i would try John Budgen on 01798 875390 he has been doing Ariel and Competition spares new and used for off road for donkey years he is very helpful he has got me out of trouble with parts a few times

Unfortunately, John Budgen seems to be finally retiring from the spares business (see November Cheval).....

SG

Thank you,, Will Curry: Johnny Beckett and
Simon Gardiner for your informative reply as always much appreciated.
Will Curry, my plan is to probably sell this bike as I will not be off roading. I may use it on road over a very short time. Age has caught up and arthritis in my hands making it difficult.
I have the gearbox on the rear wheel also cable still attached so that's atleast something?
Simon and Johnny I will give John Budgen a call and hope fully may get some help.
Again guys my thanks.
Ian

I've not used mine off road for a long time either. I don't bounce any more
I break. It has 19 on the engine shaft at the moment, the same as a road-going
350 and I find it enjoyable for pottering around the country lanes around here.
It's not that clever at speed as the steering is a bit too quick.

Any speedo with the correct input revs - I think it's 1600 but I will need to check -
should work properly. Any chronometric speedo now is horribly expensive
but it costs me more to fill its tank with E10 than I paid for the bike in the first
place.

Evening Will,
Many thanks for your as usual helpful and informative reply. Sadly like you I don't bounce and break very easily. I noticed that the last time I pre-60 scrambling.
If you find any more info on speed'os please let me know.
You mentioned another good point about petrol, not got that far yet, last time I put petrol in a bike was leaded. So E10 is what I would use, any additives need to be added?
Again much appreciate your help.
Ian

Evening Will,
Many thanks for your as usual helpful and informative reply. Sadly like you I don't bounce and break very easily. I noticed that the last time I pre-60 scrambling.
If you find any more info on speed'os please let me know.
You mentioned another good point about petrol, not got that far yet, last time I put petrol in a bike was leaded. So E10 is what I would use, any additives need to be added?
Again much appreciate your help.
Ian

Ian,
I don't trust bioethanol in petrol but as it's what's readily available I tolerate it.
I'm no fan of additives either and I don't use them.

If the bike is going to stand for more than a day or two I drain the tank and carb.

I've noticed two things with the new E5 and E10. The first is that I get significantly
fewer miles per gallon. I guess my engines just can't burn the bioethanol to any
advantage. The second is that they all seem far less sensitive to the ignition
advance in that I don't need to retard the ignition quite as much from full advance
when opening the throttle hard at low revs.

Thanks for the reminder to look at revs number on my speedo - tomorrow with any
luck.

hi it is best to use E5 and you can buy petrol without E5 and a high octane petrol we use it in our classic race cars and bikes and
classic road cars and bikes i think you can get i in 20 0r 25 liters we buy it in 205 liters