1939 NH350, this Winters project

[Phil B]

I've posted odd pics of this bike before but not properly. Hopefully this years Winters project if I get my Land Rover done. Hmmmm.

This is to be a rider, not concours. Bike now runs and is not smokey or noisy.

I'm told the girder and Anstey frame is rare pre-war. Any comments welcome.

Thanks as always.

[Paul Slootheer]

Hello Phil, that is looking very well! Numbers on the frame en engine will help to get some answers.
Regards, Paul

[Phil B]

Thanks Paul

Frame/engine/box numbers all seem correct for a '39 but as always, happy to be corrected.

[Paul Slootheer]

Hello Phil, the BE and BX prefix are correct for a 1939 plunger NH. BX513 looks like a early one... As far as I know, 1939 was the first year Ariel used the plunger frame. They all wear girders, untill aprox. 1946. I think the first telescopics came in 1947. Maybe you can ask Paul Jameson, the former AOMCC archivist for more information?
Regards, Paul

[Phil B]

Thanks Paul. Date of first registration on the V5 is July 8th 1939.

Seems a world away now doesn't it? Last of the peacetime bikes.

[adrie.degraaff]

Any comments welcome.

I would leave it as it is but if you want to know; the petrol tank is 1946-1950, the numberplate support is differend and the levers are modern.

[Phil B]

Thanks Adrie.

Interesting, and better than finding out that half of it Indian repro!

I intend to leave it as it is, just clean it, make it oil tight and sort obvious issues (wrong oil pressure gauge (100 psi version), loose magdyno, seized fuel tap, girders rebuild, missing carb bellmouth etc).

[Phil B]

And the electrics don't work!

[simon.holyfield]

Just wanted to add that it looks great!

My magneto was loose - the mag platform bolt was missing, due to a broken lug.

[Phil B]

Thanks Simon.
I think it has alot of style, there's a bobber in there, a bit of Steve McQueen cool, and it's pre-war. Nothing cooler in my garage!!


A chap in my village is a number plate dealer.

He told me that the number is not original, and was a re-issue done way back when a deadline for reclaiming the original number had passed. It was the TSJ that told him, he says.

Although I'm happy with it, it would be fantastic to have the original registration re-issued.

Is it possible to find this number from the archives to support a re-issue?

I've just joined as a full member btw.

Thanks in advance