unidentified Ariel

[lionel.jeans]

Dear Ariel Owners MCC

please can you help?, found a couple of old photographs of my grandad with his Ariel motorcycle, can anyone tell me please what Ariel model it is?, and what year was this model manufactured, I am sure he bought the machine second hand. He was a keen motorcyclist by all accounts and was a fast rider.
kindest regards
Lionel

[john.deeth]

Hi Lionel,

What a great photo to have of your grandfather and on an Ariel to boot!

The bike is a 1927 Ariel Model "D". It is a 5hp, 500cc over head valve touring model, so designated because it came with footboards and a valenced front mudguard.

I'd be interested to see other photo's if you have some.

Best regards,

John.

[brenton.roy]

Hi Lionel, I think it might be a 1928 Model D.
John may well be right with 1927, but either way, it's the deluxe model and pretty much a bike to die for.
And a great photo as well. They look pretty happy! - although the bloke on the back looks like he's at the wrong end of a pretty speedy ride..
Brenton

[markus.nikot]

First view i would say 1928 but cannot see the characteristic bar fixing the tank caps and the adjusting wheel for the dripfeed is 28 in a forward position not sideways like shown. Should be 27.

Anorak
Markus

[lionel.jeans]

John,Brenton,Markus, Thank you very much for your help in identifying my grandads Ariel, I am having some problems posting a reply, probably me not the website
kind regards
Lionel

[lionel.jeans]

John, I have tried many times to attach the other photograph I have of my grandads Ariel D but cannot make it work for some reason, I will persevere, will try again tomorrow
rgds
Lionel

[john.deeth]

Hi Lionel,

Thanks for that. I look forward to seeing it if you can work it. I also have a photo of my grandfather on his motorcycle but it is a '26 Harley!
I am particularly interested in your photo's as I'm building a very similar model "C" i.e. without the valenced guard. These are a rare animal indeed, especially in the colony (Australia).

On first viewing the bike does look like a '28 model with the brooklands fishtail exhaust.(This has been modified by someone, probably to look like the later '28 model) However, the giveaway signs are as Markus pointed out, the position of the oil feed adjustment screw but also the very characteristic curved down tube of the frame. These are the frames that used to break a lot and almost sent Ariel to the wall.

Regards,

John.

[brenton.roy]

Hi Lionel, if you make the photo a Jpeg and about 800x600 it will upload ok. I'd love to see it too.
My Grandfather had a c. WW1 Triumph that he passed on to my dad, but unfortunately, no photo. You and John are very lucky.
Another positive is that I got to learn a bit more about the models - Thanks John D and Markus.
regards, Brenton

[lionel.jeans]

John,Brenton
thanks for your messages, this is the other photo of grandads Ariel, the photo is dated 1929, so it seems the motorcycle could have been purchased new.
His dad, my great grandad was a professional footballer in England before the 1914-18 world war, but died at 33 from TB, my grandad was only 9 when this happened, so perhaps he had money left to him when he reached 18, or 21 years old. Grandad Smith in Kettering, Northampton was a carpenter-joiner by trade, earning just a pound or two a week, his wages seem too low to be able to buy a beautiful new Ariel D for £50.00.
kind regards
Lionel

[john.deeth]

Hi Lionel,
Thanks for taking the time to load the second photo and to share the background and history. It certainly makes for an interesting story if tinged with some sadness.
The bike is a beautiful example with all the accessories and no expense spared, including a period speedometer driven off the front wheel. These speedo's were like swiss watches and a real work of art.
Many thanks again.
Regards,

John.