the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
-
- Holder of a Waxed Cotton Anorak
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:46 pm
- Location: Kent England
- Contact:
the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
At last I have just about completed the resurrection of my 1951 square 4
I took it for a test spin this morning (only a mile or so) followed by my friends on their Vincent rapider and triumph T110 who kept an observation on me for in case of any problems with me or the bike.
The bike ran fine - only slightly hunting on the tick over or low speeds. The frame had been straightened my motoliner of Maidstone and they did a great job and I can thoroughly recommend them .
I never dreamed the bike would be fully repaired before I was. At the moment I still have a broken leg that wont heal and it looks as though I will need further surgery. I reckon it will mean my leg will remain broken for at least 2 years since the accident and the pain of it continues.
Anyway back to the bike - runs well - very few leaks, high oil pressure and a load of thanks to fellow Ariel enthusiasts who have assisted with knowledge through these forums and other bike enthusiasts who have helped me source hard to find parts. A couple of bits I could not salvage was a petrol tank (I bought an Indian one that fits well except the oil gauge aperture is too small by 1/8inch. ) The front mudguard is a fibreglass copy that will get me out of trouble until I make/ find a genuine one. That was kindly donated by a member of the North Kent Vincent o.c where I attend.
I will now just go over the bike again and finish off any items that need more attention such as the rear grab rail (which is still bent) and the chainguard
....Proof to us all - never give up on the bikes , no matter how bad it may look.
Safe riding
Mark
I took it for a test spin this morning (only a mile or so) followed by my friends on their Vincent rapider and triumph T110 who kept an observation on me for in case of any problems with me or the bike.
The bike ran fine - only slightly hunting on the tick over or low speeds. The frame had been straightened my motoliner of Maidstone and they did a great job and I can thoroughly recommend them .
I never dreamed the bike would be fully repaired before I was. At the moment I still have a broken leg that wont heal and it looks as though I will need further surgery. I reckon it will mean my leg will remain broken for at least 2 years since the accident and the pain of it continues.
Anyway back to the bike - runs well - very few leaks, high oil pressure and a load of thanks to fellow Ariel enthusiasts who have assisted with knowledge through these forums and other bike enthusiasts who have helped me source hard to find parts. A couple of bits I could not salvage was a petrol tank (I bought an Indian one that fits well except the oil gauge aperture is too small by 1/8inch. ) The front mudguard is a fibreglass copy that will get me out of trouble until I make/ find a genuine one. That was kindly donated by a member of the North Kent Vincent o.c where I attend.
I will now just go over the bike again and finish off any items that need more attention such as the rear grab rail (which is still bent) and the chainguard
....Proof to us all - never give up on the bikes , no matter how bad it may look.
Safe riding
Mark
- Steven.Carter
- Holder of a Platinum Anorak
- Posts: 4311
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:45 am
- Location: Eastleigh, Hampshire
- Contact:
Re: the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
That's brilliant Mark. As the saying goes. The show must go onMARK.WALSH wrote: ....Proof to us all - never give up on the bikes , no matter how bad it may look.
Safe riding
Mark
Hope that leg of yours gets better for you soon.
Steve
-
- Holder of a Nylon Anorak
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:17 pm
- Location: Margate
- Contact:
Re: the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
Glad to see you and the bike are getting back to normal
- paul.jameson
- Holder of a Golden Anorak
- Posts: 2950
- Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:04 pm
- Location: Herefordshire
- Contact:
Re: the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
Well done Mark. I hope the pleasure of riding the Ariel again encourages your leg to repair itself soon.
Paul Jameson
35 LG (project), 37 RH500, 52 ex ISDT KHA, 54 KH(A), 75 Healey 1000/4.
Former Machine Registrar & Archivist, General Secretary and Single Spares Organiser (over a 25 year period).
Now Archivist (but not Machine Registrar), Gauges and Clocks Spares Organiser.
35 LG (project), 37 RH500, 52 ex ISDT KHA, 54 KH(A), 75 Healey 1000/4.
Former Machine Registrar & Archivist, General Secretary and Single Spares Organiser (over a 25 year period).
Now Archivist (but not Machine Registrar), Gauges and Clocks Spares Organiser.
-
- Holder of a Nylon Anorak
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 7:52 pm
- Contact:
Re: the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
Inspirational Mark "Live to Ride, Ride to Live" comes to mind. My wife's a radiographer and talked me through those x-rays.. incredible
-
- Holder of a Nylon Anorak
- Posts: 277
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 1:02 pm
- Location: Burnham on Crouch Essex
- Contact:
Re: the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
Walshes are obviously made of stern stuff. Well done with the bike and hope you continue to mend too.
1958 Huntmaster
1960 Matchless G12
1958 AJS 18s
1960 Matchless G12
1958 AJS 18s
- simon.holyfield
- Holder of a Platinum Anorak
- Posts: 4700
- Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:16 pm
- Location: Norfolk
- Contact:
Re: the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
Great to see you back again Mark!
cheers
Simes
'51 Square Four,
'58 Huntmaster,
'42 W/NG,
'30 Model A
https://ariel-square-four.blogspot.com
Simes
'51 Square Four,
'58 Huntmaster,
'42 W/NG,
'30 Model A
https://ariel-square-four.blogspot.com
-
- Holder of a Waxed Cotton Anorak
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:46 pm
- Location: Kent England
- Contact:
Re: the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
Thanks for the comments chaps
It was a strange experience being back on the bike but eventually when the leg gets better I reckon it will be the return of some brilliant fun and riding around my country lanes. Think I will avoid the motorways from now on though
Cheers
Mark
It was a strange experience being back on the bike but eventually when the leg gets better I reckon it will be the return of some brilliant fun and riding around my country lanes. Think I will avoid the motorways from now on though
Cheers
Mark
-
- Holder of a Waxed Cotton Anorak
- Posts: 429
- Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 6:46 pm
- Location: Tweed, Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
Nice job bringing the SQ4 back Mark.
Sorry to hear of your leg taking so long to heal. Here's hoping your leg heals quickly
Sorry to hear of your leg taking so long to heal. Here's hoping your leg heals quickly
- Leejm
- Holder of a Golden Anorak
- Posts: 1249
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:17 pm
- Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire
- Contact:
Re: the Ariel square 4s return - 20months later
Well done mark and good for you not giving up on the square, it looks great! Shame your leg is not looking as good. I wish you all the very best in getting your leg repaired just as well as your bike. Lee
1948 NH, BSA D10 SPORTS. 1953 VHA, 1951 KH rigid project.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests