Dads Ariel Red Hunter Can you help us?

[SDavies]

Good afternoon to you all,

My dad loved classic motorbikes and cars we grew up with several different types that he would lovingly care for and maintain.

Unfortunately we have lost our dad recently and thought his time of vintage vehicles was over.

When we arrived at his property we found a vintage motorbike on his driveway, we spoke to a good friend of his who said yes he has had it a while and often drove it around the town.

Anyway rambling a bit his friend is interested in purchasing the said bike but we have no idea about them, and although he's a friend we would like to know a very rough idea on what this is going to be worth.

I've taken some pictures of it but if there's something I've missed please let me know.

I really appreciate your help.

[SDavies]

[SDavies]

[will_curry]

It looks like a fairly original 1955 350cc model NH - except that it wasn't registered in the
UK until the late '80s so maybe an import.

A quick look at auction sites and ebay will give you some idea of what other NHs are being offered
for and are making.

[simon.holyfield]

It's a 55NH engine in a 55 VH frame, shipped to Derby.

I saw a project VH go for £800 recently; a nice useable NH sold for £2500; and there's a very nice NH on eBay at £3995 - but it's been there for several months if not a year or more. I'm afraid the market is not in a good place right now.

That said, if you have any interest in riding it, they are great bikes to ride and tinker with and we are a very friendly club!

[Paul Gasson]

I’m fairly sure the DU frame prefix was used for the NH 350 as well as I owned exactly the same machine for some years.

[will_curry]

The FH, KH, VH and NH all used the same frame for the same year from 1954 onwards
so without the despatch book information I don't know of any way to tell what the original
engine was.

Given the frame went to Derby the bike may have been a barn find and not an import as I had
speculated.

I do like the look of it too as I've never been one to polish or even clean bikes, they are for
riding. I agree with Simes that the NH makes a very pleasant ride as long as hurrying isn't
on the agenda.

[nevhunter]

They certainly seem to have sold Plenty of the 350's The One I had I converted to an IRON Head VH and it went to Western Australia. I can only hope it still exists as it was in good nick. Nev

[adrie.degraaff]

It has a 1956 petroltank making the value on this moment a 1000 pounds.

[Roger Gwynn]

This bike has a history on the register in 1987-90 it was in Poole with the engine it has now but the reg was PKX 701 (Buckinghamshire Apr to July 1952). In 1996 it was in Christchurch, with the same engine but an age related reg of HSU 609. It may have been under repair at this time given the name in the entry. Next appearance is in Chelsfield with a different engine MA 782, still not the original, reg not listed. Now it has another reg,(August to October 1962 Stoke-on-Trent) so been around the houses a bit.