Rob Arkwright gaskets?

[Paul Gasson]

I read a comment made on a YouTube video regarding this apparent club member who made and supplied gaskets. I do not know this person and despite searching cannot find him as a member, does this sound familiar to anyone? Thanks in advance and may you all have a happy motorcycling New Year.

[Simon.Gardiner]

Can't find him in my list, or as a Forum member.
Could he just be a member of one of the many Facebook groups?

SG

[Paul Gasson]

Thanks for checking Simon, it’s possible he is on Facebook but I don’t use it so not sure. The video poster said Rob Arkwright was a club member so I thought he might have had a mention here but I don’t recall hearing anything. Apparently he scanned engine components and used data with a laser cutter and gaskets fit perfectly, which sounded interesting as I have plenty of gaskets that don’t fit well.

[keith.mettam]

I think the guy you are after is Robin Arkwright who is a member of a couple of Ariel Facebook groups. He seems more active on the Ariel Motorcycle group but is also listed as a member of The Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club group.
Regards and a Happy New Year,
Keith.

[Paul Gasson]

Thanks Keith, looks like this could be the one.

[Roger Gwynn]

I would be interested to know of any gaskets that do not fit as they should as I will re-draw them and have new tooling made. Several have been done already. I know of several that have been wrong for years and years but nobody ever though to say anything and it isn't until I use them myself do i find the error. The classic is the singles gear case that is 1/32 too big on OD, not a lot but it doesn't fit without a trim.

[Paul Gasson]

Roger, I can only speak about single cylinder engines, I buy gaskets from Draganfly, others from club spares. I had problems with the timing case, mag chain cover and oil pump gaskets but I can’t say for sure which source. I trim them but the mag chain cover becomes a bit narrow and not much contact/support when trimmed.

[Roger Gwynn]

Paul, the timing case, or gear case in Ariel speak, is the one I mentioned, I know the Draganfly ones are correct, ones made by the main trade supplier will not be. There are 2 shapes to the mag chain cover by the top left screw as viewed, not really a problem if they are a little big, I trim them after fitting with a sharp blade. I have not seen a problem with oil pump gaskets except when I fit them the wrong way round! Is it holes not lining up?

[nevhunter]

I might be a heretic but I haven't used a gasket there for ages. I still use one near the oil return pipe. I have NOT had a leak problem. . Check camshaft bushes, they wear sideways and the inner one must be a tight fit in the case. If it moves into the flywheels you'll know it. Nev

[Paul Gasson]

Roger, I cannot remember exactly, I will dig some out and add photos to explain. I do remember that some gaskets for the oil pump had two holes close to each other but others had slots with rounded ends. I was concerned about trimming these so fitted as they were presuming as there was a path for oil to get through, it would. I think my gear case gasket was from the set I bought (not from Drags).