What is the year and model?

[ray.tolman]

Hi,
A friend sent this photo to help identify the year and model.
I think it may be a 1935-36RH.
The bike was purchased used in 1941 and has a headlamp mask on it in the photo.
Do you notice anything unusual about the handlebar throttle or levers and does the headlamp appear original?
Aftermarket fish tail and muffler?
Thanks for any help.
Ray

Ariel(1941).jpg (58.36 KiB) Viewed 3121 times

[Steven.Carter]

He doesn't look like someone I'd mess with

[adrie.degraaff]

I would say 1937-1938, it has the new tank rubbers but not the extra forksprings and the twistgrip would make it RH.

[ray.tolman]

Thanks Adrie.
RAy

[adrie.degraaff]

I have more time today to look, it is puzzeling me that there is so much work done to it, a home made silenser, extra lights and the new twistgrip seems to be over the remains of the old system, this dusn't ad up with the lightmask.

So could this picture be taken some time after the war?

[ray.tolman]

Hi Adrie,
The photo was supposedly taken in 1941.
The changes you mention are what made dating the bike confusing.
Ray

[ian.scott]

I would say 1937-1938, it has the new tank rubbers but not the extra forksprings and the twistgrip would make it RH.

You can see the unused hole in the bars for the internal twistgrip cable.
It could be that it belonged to someone in a reserved occupation and had been in use since being made in 35 or 36.
Which would have been plenty of time to have those mods made.

Ian

[ray.tolman]

Hi Ian,
My first guess was 1935-36 and mods added over time. Did the handlebars for the RH have the hole for straight pull throttle?
Adrie's guess of 1938-39 also holds water...
Not enough of bike shown to really tell.
Ray

[ian.scott]

The original bars on my oct 35 VH have got the hole, however my copy of the parts list doesn't show whether the VH and VG had different part numbers for the bars or whether they just used the same ones for both models.

Ian

[ray.tolman]

Hi Ian,
Thanks for the reply.
My 37RH has the hole in the bars and are likely original.
There are few good clues on the photo, unfortunately.
Ray