Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

Rigid frame getting ready for a few more decades
Jan at work
short bridge tube below saddle to be added

HI Vincent it will not be long now before it on the road keep up the good work you are making a very good job of that old frame i wait to see wen its finish

Dont hold your breath, as they say.....

In da meantime, to avoid getting bored
Got a dented '55 swingarm tank that I thought of doing something else with.
Took out the bottom to get at the dents and the factory provided dents..
Plan is to give this tank a 'brushed metal' finish with RH red top like the carbon tank I did a few years ago.
-see felt pen line-
Pretty nasty fold in the surface where the teardrop flutes have been.
welded up the kneerubber bolt holes as thats the part that I want to have the bare metal, (with a 2K clear coating )

That's amazing. I'm not good at 'metal bashing' (not enough patience and no experience/training).

Are you heating and annealing the metal frequently as you work out the factory dents ?

I believe a sandbag is good as a former in which to form the intended shape before working on the tank from the inside - is this what you do ??

Some pictures and tips would be very educational.

I'm very impressed.

Bob.

Vincent.vanGinneke wrote:short bridge tube below saddle to be added

I have the 2 regulator bolt-on strips for you, when home.

Hi Bob, this first bit I did with a wooden hammer on a wooden block, and some small trimming with a wood hammer on steel.
A sand bag at this point 'gives' to much and would make dents the other way.
I used my English wheel on it but could only get in the tank lenghtways so I guess the mayor part of the work wil be hammering.
Looking at some palm dollys on the net right now...more money to spend !
Did not heat it yet, I probably will have to at some point but first I'll try without.

Hello Adrie, thanks for the offer. I have a sample for those so I can make them, I'm fine.

"Vincent.vanGinneke"]Rigid frame getting ready for a few more decades

Looks great Vincent!

Paul

The Dutch AGM produced a DIY tapered handlebar for the ISDT project.
It needs some TLC but I am happy with finding these tapered bits .
ISDT handlebars did not use the helix type of twist grip, for quick cable replacement they used a outside cable + a spare one taped alongside it.
This helix type looks like a (according to Cornucopia) a BSA internal Amal twist grip type 51.
It has a thin sleeve over the helix tube and the assembly is missing the small throttle cable block.
Somehow it found it's way on to this tapered handlebar.
I think I fit the 'normal' Amal twist grip and weld up the cable exit hole
solid bit soldered in....now removed.
Again a piece of 1" tubing from the orphan swingarm frame comes in handy
At this stage I can apply the knurling.
Have to take out some brass solder on right hand side before welding.

Made myself usefull by fabricating a old school map holder, for this years touring.
Yes, I agree, slightly over the top with four sealed bearings…..

Vincent, sre you taking orders for the route holder.

Dave