Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

As some of you already know, I recently bought a 1931 VB31 which is my first experience of a hand change bike. It has been a long time since I had a bike with right foot rear brake pedal and I am having fun getting used to it. The set up is a left (drive) side rear brake rod to a brake arm on the primary with a cross over shaft to the right (timing) side brake pedal. I have noticed on the 1930 and 1932 Ariel catalogues (see below) that the pictures of the Model A for 1930 and VB32 for 1932 have a left foot rear brake pedal whilst the 1931 catalogue shows the VB31 with a right foot one so my bike is as standard.
I have a couple of questions, anybody have any idea why was the rear brake pedal changed to the right for 1931 and if I could ever possibly find a left side pedal with arm (part number E8/181 or 5400-27) would it be a strait swop for the brake arm on there just to make my like easier and probably safer? If anybody has a spare brake pedal that would fit and I could buy and fit that would be great.

hi all the made in uk bikes had a left hand rear brake pedal it was change over to right in the late 70's for the european market

John,

Just a thought. There was a period when 'coupled brakes' were de rigueur, your arrangement may have made it easier to run a second cable between the front and rear.

I have a feeling some Panthers had this arrangement in the 1930s (mine didn't).

No doubt 'those who know' will be along when the sun sets.

Cheers.

Bob.

I had a 31 Ariel that had the right side brake,it is correct,why they did it only the Ariel gods can answer that,for a couple of years they did it with the small slopers also,I dont know of the big ones.May be you could try the club as I know Pat had some pedals made a few years back,if no joy try the Slovac boys,they used to make the parts pedal, pivot and tube.

I was wondering who to ask in the club as there is no club Black Ariel Spares Organiser since Pat Robotham stepped down. Somebody must have the club spares stored.

I think Pat had them made himself I bought one off him they were not as good quality as the slovaks but they were there, and I needed one at the time it has worked ok for me.

The fastest way to access the Club's Black Ariel spares might be to volunteer to act as Black Ariel Spares Organiser..............