I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me with the identification or any details relating to this old photo of my Father on his Ariel, which was taken around 1950 I think.
(I suspect the bike was actually much older than this and it also looks like it had been somewhat modified)
I was wondering which model it is.
The registration number is clear BBO 610 (?), which is a Cardiff registration, but I haven't been able to find it on the DVLA system so I wondered if anyone might have access to another resource, or could direct me to one. I also wonder what happened to it.
Any clues appreciated
Thanks in Anticipation.
My Dad’s old Ariel
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Roger Gwynn
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Re: My Dad’s old Ariel
BBO is indeed a Cardiff number issued between May 1938 AND November 1938. The bike has the enclosed rockerboxes introduced for the 1938 season and the forks do not have the auxiliary springs added in 1939, so it matches.
The toolbox has been repositioned, the rear stand stops are rather worn and it has a post war rear number plate. BBO 610 is not listed in the club's register but it doesn't mean that the bike has not survived as many records do not include the registration that may have been changed anyway. About 2.5% of 1938 350's are on the register so the chances of survival are rather slim at 40:1
The model is most likely a 350 and as the wheels are all black it would be the de-Luxe NG
The toolbox has been repositioned, the rear stand stops are rather worn and it has a post war rear number plate. BBO 610 is not listed in the club's register but it doesn't mean that the bike has not survived as many records do not include the registration that may have been changed anyway. About 2.5% of 1938 350's are on the register so the chances of survival are rather slim at 40:1
The model is most likely a 350 and as the wheels are all black it would be the de-Luxe NG
Roger Gwynn, Membership Secretary, curator of the Machine Register and the works drawings. Director of Draganfly Motorcycles, Craven Equipment and Supreme Motorcycles mostly retired.
Re: My Dad’s old Ariel
Thanks for your detective work. Very interesting and puts it just before the beginning of WWII.
It’s not very clear from the photo but it seems to have two exhausts so I was wondering if that might be indicative of a specific model.
It’s not very clear from the photo but it seems to have two exhausts so I was wondering if that might be indicative of a specific model.
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paul.jameson
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Re: My Dad’s old Ariel
Most single cylinder Ariels of the 1930s had two exhausts as it was the fashion of the times. Some of the Red Hunters, the highest performance models, had a single exhaust which actually improved performance. Certainly, the twin exhausts looked good and clearly led to the need for double the volume of replacement exhausts but they also doubled the weight of the exhaust system.
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.
Re: My Dad’s old Ariel
Thanks very much. All interesting information.
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