My VB build.

[david.anderson]

The finished battery tray.

Rear number plate holder. First I made the fully enclosed version that is listed for 1953 but Simes posted a photo of 53 Ariels in a showroom that were fitted with the earlier open number plate holder and as I preferred that version I made this one. The shape is cut from some 6mm plate. (the template shown is only rusty on the up side ) The sheet metal is clamped between the template piece and some heavy plate. The thin sheet is then heated on the edges and is progressively beaten up around the template.

The finished rear part.

[david.anderson]

The top piece welded on. Welds are ground off.

The fixing bracket is fixed to the rear by welding in the holes

The finished item

[david.anderson]

This horn has seen better days but by drilling and tapping a central hole the mini horn is screwed in then wired internally to the original connection points. I made and even stamped the part no into the horn bracket to make it look authentic.

This was a BSA mudguard with fork indents. It is out of the same mould as Ariel so will be turned into Ariel. Although not the traditional valenced VB guard it will do for now.

[david.anderson]

The indents have been cut out and new pieces welded in. All extra holes in the guard have been filled with weld.
Tabs were welded on for the front mudguard stays.

Next I bent and made the front stand.

[Steven.Carter]

Great skills David. Your bike will look great when its done.

[david.anderson]

Stays and mudguard fitted.

The rear guard. I had difficulty finding a suitable blank. This one is a little deep in the valance and would be ideal for a mk2 square4. It was also a little short so is fitted a little above the rear axle centreline.

[david.anderson]

The chain guard cut out is done

All tabs for the stays are welded on.

[david.anderson]

Some rear mudguard stays are made

The toolbox bracket is made

[david.anderson]

The toolbox bracket is completed and fitted

The chaincases were a mess. Someone had drilled out the chaincase around the clutch and had managed to twist and break the chaincase.

[david.anderson]

I cut out some aluminium plate to fit and turned some oil retaining flanges.

I had the new pieces and flanges welded in. I have tried aluminium welding with an oxy torch and failed miserably so I had all the aluminium welding done.

I had all the damaged bosses for the perimeter screws and around the footpeg hanger welded up where they had been damaged by a lose chain. I also had the oil reservoir around the rear chain oiler welded up and I finished all mating surfaces. I did use a flapper disc in a small angle grinder to remove the checkering when I polished the cases.