Early speedo bracket

[simon.holyfield]

Wasn't someone after one of these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ariel-Speedo- ... 2455456185

Nothing to do with me.

[nevhunter]

First example I've seen. Wouldn't most have a panel tank? ( and it's not W/NG). Nev

[simon.holyfield]

I thought it was W/NG Nev. What is it, and why is it not W/NG?

[dave.owen]

Looks like one I'm after for a 39 VB, think I'll make one.
I've seen this type on early wng's

Dave

[simon.holyfield]

I wonder whether Smiths made the speedo brackets. Vincent gave me some dimensions for mine, and I found some on a W/NG in a museum - the style of these brackets was very reminiscent of a speedo bracket off a Matchless, that was attached to my speedo...

[nevhunter]

The W/NG is front wheel drive speedo and sits more to the righthand side to have the cable in the best position. This version would suit the conventional gearbox drive better but being unsprung in this instance is not helpful as you would need a lot of slack around the steering head and tank front. Be much better if the speedo was attached to the sprung part of the bike. Most Girder fork models have panel or tank mounted speedo's. Am I right there? Talking about after 27 OTA up to the war. Nev

[simon.holyfield]

More or less right. The speedo head was mounted centrally until 1941 or so, when it moved to the right hand side. Both positions are unsprung, and use the headlamp lugs on the girder blade.

[paul_turner]

I have an unrestored 1939 600 ohv square that has that speedo bracket on and drive from the front wheel. the panel tank also has a blanking disc in the same as the one they put where the clock would go. Interestingly I also have a 1939 1000 that came with no speedo but does have the drive from the front wheel. Paul Jameson checked the the dispatch records where he found it was ordered with FWD so presumably there was an option ?
I also have a couple of articles written about 600 f (ohv) and they both have the fork mounted speedo, perhaps as Dave's VB is 39 it may be to do with that year ?

[dave.owen]

My 39 VB left the factory with Fwd speedo.

Dave

[nevhunter]

The drive from the speedo would appear to have some difficulty if mounted unsprung. It has enough change of length to cope with turning let alone the total fork up and down possibility. I'm not prepared to do it that way. Comments folks? Nev