Is it original ?

[neil.grant]

Hi all, I have bought a 1954 Huntmaster. I'm a bit puzzled because it has alloy mudguards fitted and full width hubs. The mudguards do seem to be original going by the brackets that hold them. They certainly don't look as if they have been added on. I've searched lots of pictures of other Huntmasters and they all seem to have steel mudguards and half width hubs. I think that the original colour was blue, although it has since been painted black which looks a lot nicer than pale blue. The tank has been sprayed silver which I think looks awful. Does anyone know if black was an option for the 1954 Huntmaster ? I am going to get the tank re-chromed soon along with clutch dome and other bits. I would like to go for black finish when I re-spray the bike. Can anybody throw any light on this. I might add that mechanically the bike is sound, starts first kick every time and has better brakes than the Harley I sold to buy the Ariel, and it handles better too. I am very happy with the bike and intend to restore it to it's former glory.

[adrie.degraaff]

The 1954 Ariels have the oiltank inlet upright, don't have a steering lock, 1955 still has halfwidth hubs but has an extra chainguard support at the end of the rearforks just above the axel, they both could be had with a black frame but maroon tank and mudguards, 1956 has alu hubs.

[chris.shearwood]

Hi Neil,
According to Roy Bacon's book, "Ariel The Postwar Models", your bike left the factory with steel mudguards, the rear one valanced, and half-width hubs. Paint colour would have been "deep claret". I don't see any mentions of optional paint colours but I understand that the Ariel factory sometimes catered to special orders.
Regards, Chris

[robjameson]

It sounds to me like some owner along the way has tried to make it in to a replica cyclone. If you are a member of the club send off some information (frame and engine numbers) to Paul Jameson - club archivist, he should be able to search the despatch records and tell you if it left the factory as a special order item.

Black colour was ALWAYS an option from the factory.

Hope this helps

[RobCarter]

Post some pictures so that we can see what you have got.
Rob C.

[neil.grant]

Thank you all who replied, your comments are helpful. I have to agree with rob Jameson's suggestion that at some time a previous owner has tried to make it look like a Cyclone. I have had a quote to re-chrome the fuel tank, to be honest there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference in price between having the original tank repaired and chromed and buying a new one from dragonfly, has anyone ever bought one, I would be interested to hear any comments about the finish of them before I decide what to do. I was given the original log book when I bought the bike, both frame and engine numbers are as original but at some point the registration number was changed, I would think for a personalised number plate. Before I bought it I did an HPI check, nothing untoward showed up, no insurance claims or accidents. Apparently it was a combination according to the log book, but I bought it as a solo machine although it is obviously still geared for a chair which I will be dealing with as soon as dragonfly replenish their stock of engine sprockets etc. I will be contacting Paul Jameson with a view to having the original registration number re-issued as soon as I get a copy of Chevaux ??? which has the right username and password printed in it apparently. As soon as I get some decent pictures I will post them on here so you can see what it looks like. Cheers all. Neil

[Steven.Carter]

If its a black bike your aiming for have a look at this, He sprayed the tank black and put the gold pin stripes back in the correct places. It really looked good.

[keith.mettam]

Hi Neil,
Have 'pm'd' you.
Regards,
Keith.

[neil.grant]

If its a black bike your aiming for have a look at this, He sprayed the tank black and put the gold pin stripes back in the correct places. It really looked good.

2013-08-24 20.16.16.jpg

Hi Steven, I am now decided about my petrol tank thanks to the fab picture you sent me, Black it is ! There's plenty of chrome on my Huntmaster along with alloy to be polished, so I think a black tank will look great. Thanks for your interest. Neil

[neil.grant]

Hi Neil,
Have 'pm'd' you.
Regards,
Keith.

Hello Keith, many thanks for your help. I am going to apply to DVLA for the relevant forms to get my original registration number restored. As soon as I receive them I will send them in to you for the next step. Thanks for welcoming me to the club, I have never owned an Ariel until now, I had many British bikes in the sixties and have always wanted another. I have had some replies from other members about queries I have posted concerning my Huntmaster, it's good to be able to talk to like minded people. Neil