1940 VH 500 Plunger

[KeliiJ94]

Always wanted a pre war motorcycle, but they are pretty hard to find here in America, especially the West Coast. Lucked out a few weeks ago at the El Camino Swapmeet and picked up this 1940 Ariel VH 500 Red Hunter. Facebook did not exactly help me much at direction for clubs or replacing incorrect parts so thought I'd ask for advice on here.

1940 Ariel VH500 Red Hunter VH1 Plunger model
Dispatch Date of Febuary 22nd 1940 and shipped to Johnson Motors
Pasadena California (just 15 minutes from me) dealership building still exists. I know almost no history on this bike, but seems as if bits and pieces have been changed over the last 83 years, VH1 upswept exhaust? Meaning a single exhaust originally? Now changed to dual port downswept? A comment online mentioned the dynamo is the later long version? Engine, frame and gearbox stampings seem to line up with the paperwork which is good. Headlight is a later lucas headlight, maybe off of a velocette? Handlebars are incorrect, front fender off of a VG model, rear fender a later 50 ariel fender? Choke has been removed and the two levers control decomp and ignition advance now. Bike runs, but I'd rather get some parts sorted before I take the bike off non op and ride her. I went to see Thor, the expert apparently on Ariel singles locally here in California but he wasn't much help, most of his parts are for post war Ariels. The US based club seems to have a bit of a dated website too, Thor mentioning being one of the youngest members at 60 something, most being older, makes me being under 30 (28) probably the youngest Ariel owner in America. Should I join the UK based club to have access and be able to get pre war Ariel parts? I doubt I'll have much luck on the US based one. Daganfly did not have the proper 8 in lucas headlight but a handful of repops are floating on ebay, are they any good? I'd also need a 1939-1946 plunger rear fender, daganflys parts list doesn't mention a difference for the square 4 so I assume the plunger and 500 models share the same one for those 3 years. Also does anyone know the production numbers for the 1940 model year? 500s? Square 4s have a list but not 500s or 600s, 350s or 250s. Thanks for listening to this long statement from a curious new pre war motorcycle owner

[KeliiJ94]

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[KeliiJ94]

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[KeliiJ94]

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[simon.holyfield]

Relax, you've come to the right place.

That's going to make a lovely bike - one of the best looking Ariels in my opinion. You have a great basis there with the original engine and most of the original bits.

I had a repro DU42 on my W/NG for ages before I found a real one; I believe you are looking for a DU142, which is similar but larger - you'll probably find a repro in the US.

Are you any good with sheet metal? For the mudguard, I would start with a standard ribbed blank and add the hinge, stay tabs etc myself; Draganfly may have GRP repro ones but that will be the most difficult bit to get.

Your number plate looks to be close to correct but the lamp should be a Lucas MT110 I think.

That's a start, I'll let others chime in.

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Welcome to this forum !
and to start of with a moan straight away... on this forum we use our real name, not a abbreviation from whatever.
See the Policies section . Thanks !

You found yourself are very good prewar Ariel !
And yes after so many decades a few things change, but yours has survived the time very good!
The double lever on the left side handlebar is correct, it says EXH and MAG probably, sometimes these letters are very faded.
The choke on the right should have the same 'design' with the small ball end as the exh/mag lever, they can be found .
Twin port cylinderheads can also be fitted with twin upswept pipes to get the 'Red Hunter' look, but downswept are actually a bit more convenient in use.
The engine number stamped on the frame is non original, possibly someone somewhere thought the frame and engine numbers should be the same ?
they are never the same on Ariel fourstrokes as far as I know .
if you want double check the engine number, just behind the left hand side front engine plate the number is stamped a second time.
The CH number on your picture looks a bit odd.... this shows where you find the second stamping.

The rear guard looks like something from a Triumph ? the small rib looks like Triumph.
If you want to find out more about details it is very usefull to become a member of the AOMCC, you then have access to the 'Knowledge base' with masses of info on all things Ariel.
Roger Gwynn is our membership secretary, he will be around shortly !

[KeliiJ94]

Yeah that number did look odd, see.s like the 2nd stamp also has some issues?

[Roger Gwynn]

Welcome to forum,
Your last picture looks a little odd, I think perhaps the number is damaged because the engine has blown up and the case repaired but it may just be the photo. Yes the headlamp is wrong being a Miller, Ariel always used Lucas except if something else was specified or on the post war Colts. Always an exception.
I liked the photos of JoMo, the people in the showroom are Johnson and Edward Turner who were good friends.
Yes it was originally a single port with upswept pipes, the front mudguard could have been original, although unlikely as not on the despatch book but the clerk was human and missed things sometimes including complete bikes!
Less of the usual extra chrome on a USA bike.
Top fork links are the wrong way round,
Rear stand spring should be a single spring
Yes the dynamo is the longer one 60 Watts instead of 40.
The rear mudguard is probably correct, the stays certainly are, all plunger mudguards were valanced in 1939-40, I think it just needs some love.
Rear number plate and tail light are wrong. The tail light is the rare torpedo that sits in the middle of a narrow plate.

[dave.owen]

FKN, My 39 unrestored VG

[Roger Gwynn]

KeliiJ94 the only entry for your bike in the club's register is when I did the dating certificate.
I am intrigued by the photo of the 1946 VB that you posted, this was last heard of in 1992 as an entry in the VMCC register, owner unknown but it would be interesting to know where and when you snapped it.
Dave FKN 998 as photographed by Markus.