new member from Germany

[Christoph.Baudisch]

Hello, this is Christoph from Germany writing. I am here a newbee, was only reading sometimes.
I have some experience with German bikes , also with NSU OSL, a more or less Norton copy.
But now I am retired and have some more times for the bikes.
It was very interesting to learn details about Ariel bikes. Some years ago i had the chance to buy an interesting project.
An old man from Berlin got some Ariel bikes back from India.
I was told that he completed one bike and the other components had to wait.
But he passed awy and his relatives wanted to clear the barn. So i was able to buy the whole components.
There are two frames : no doupt that one is from a W/NG with field stand.
The other could be a NH from 1946…1950. Unfortunately I did not found the frame number below the saddle.
But as I have learned from some expert here , it is not a W/NG frame.
The components are not enough for two bikes. Also the specifics for W/NG are not included.
So my idea was to create a de-militarised W/NG in black with chromed petrol tank, but field stand still existing.
I saw some pictures with such a version, might be from Belgium.
I know that the result would be a bitsa, but should be for driving and also authentic looking as possible.
What are the experts thinking about that way ? – better create a civil version with the other frame ?
The engines are all from war.
Regards
Christoph

[Simon.Gardiner]

Hi Christophe
I think you could equally go two ways with this, either using the civilian frame to build up a 1946-style machine or the W/NG frame and forks to build a 'civilianised' W/NG (there were plenty of those) perhaps with the option of returning it to military specification at some time if you want to do that and can gather enough parts.
Some of the parts you'll need to get (mudguards?) will be common to the civilian and the military versions so you could probably build a running bike and still have plenty of options open. You seem to have already got the difficult 'core' items (frame/forks/wheels) for both bikes!
As an observation, the petrol tank is the slightly larger version than the 350 used - but it looks nice and is easily changed.
If the civilian frame doesn't have a number, maybe that would be a problem for using it in Germany and that might make the decision (of which to use) for you. However, if it came from India I think they didn't use the original frame numbers and it might have had to be removed when it was there. (I think we've got someone else on the Forum with a 1940s machine from India that doesn't have any trace of the Ariel frame number.)

(I see you've been a Forum member for a while but even so - welcome!)

SG

[Christoph.Baudisch]

Simon,
thank you for quick answer. I would prefer taking the W/NG frame as the side stand is included and the girder fork is also the right version
for W/NG.
You mean I should take a bigger petrol tank from VH ?
I can get it in panel version with speedo, fuel cap, service lamp and oil gauge in oily rag condition,
painted in "homemade" red. Why not, the whole bike should get that look.
So the other frame with some components will have to be sold as i do not need it twice.
Also an 1953 rigid VB is waiting for wake-up and will come into the road again together with a very nice and original Watsonian Monarch.
regards
Christoph

[JohnnyBeckett]

hi , and welcome to the forum you will find all you need to know about your Ariels from the members on this forum they can be very helpful

[Julian Murphy]

Christoph.

Welcome.

Be interesting to see what happens to these 2 'projects'.

Keep sending pictures.

[klaus gerhard]

Hallo Christoph,
willkommen und schön von Dir zu hören. Leider hast Du das Ariel Treffen knapp verpaßt. Da hättest Du sicher viele Anregungen bekommen.
Hoffe man trifft sich mal persönlich.
Viele Grüße
Klaus

[Christoph.Baudisch]

Thanks to all for welcome.
As I was asked for additional photos, here they are coming :

This is the vintage fuel tank that I will take for the 'civilianised' W/NG

and this will be in future a 1953 VB

and it shall run with a Watsonian Monarch

unfortunately it is standing in a dirty barn

and I hope for ending this situation soon, but with damaged knees - osteoarthritis -
working is not so easy and takes much more time than in younger years.
Regards
Christoph

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Welcome to the AOMCC forum Christoph!
As written before, you will find a lot, if not all, information on Ariels here !
And one first advise, do not sell parts too soon, you might need them later!

[nevhunter]

The Panel Tank does nothing for ME and the "Field stand" is not a great thing on hard surfaces . It can slip. Nev

[wade.edwards]

Great finds Christoph!
Really gets you wondering about all of the previous owners. I would like to encourage you to take the WD engine and frame and restore them to a full W/NG build. A military machine has such great history. You know for sure that the machine was built for a world changing event. You can then attend historical military events and be involved in D-Day commemorations. Lots of Ariels were captured by the German Army, so there is that angle
You can submit the frame and engines numbers to discover the Contract numbers for your machine and will then know which Service ordered it.