FOR SALE : 1937 VH

[martkey]

Bugger I was considering buying that...!

[ray.tolman]

Hey guys,
I did leave some of the fun facts for others to find
Martkey, this is a great bike (if it runs and checks out mechanically).
Many of these are winter things to correct, only if you wish.
Casual observers wouldn't notice/care to notice/or know.

Ray

[ray.tolman]

Hi Paul,
Couldn't the brake rods be ordered chromed from Ariel?
Ray

[adrie.degraaff]

The most important question is not answered, is it a number good VH?

[martkey]

The question I have to ask as a potential purchaser.....is it worth the asking price with it's 'issues' ?

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Dear Martkey,

Make a list of parts that should be on it and try to find out what these do on the market.
Ebay prices -especially Ebay USA- are not a good guide, but can put you in the right direction for what is needed money wise.
For instance, keep in mind that a restored and functioning Smiths PA can set you back close to 800 GBP (or much more...)
Print out all that was written here , and go there in person and negotiate standing next to the bike.
Set yourself a rigid maximum you want to spend.

succes.

Took another look:
Front engine plate cover (behind Altette) is missing.
As already mentioned;
front brake rod route is incorrect, this is because the front brake lever (on brakeplate) is reversed on it's spindle. The trunnion should face inwards and the rod runs inside of the mudguard stay.

I dont know if this is correct for earlier panel tanks, but you can reconize the Indian panel tanks by that they have two holes for different year speedo mountings.
Prewar with a PA speedo need a hole starting in the right hand rear of the tank, postwar panel tanks with a Chronometric speedo need a hole straight down. Indian tanks have both these holes !

[adrie.degraaff]

The question I have to ask as a potential purchaser.....is it worth the asking price with it's 'issues' ?

That depends on it being a VH or not, you need the frame and engine number for it.

[ray.tolman]

The engine number looks to be CB 1788

engine.jpg (36.72 KiB) Viewed 2867 times

[paul.jameson]

Ray,

I have gone back through all the evidence I have and can find nothing suggesting the front brake rod was ever supplied chromed. I have never met a chromed original one, but I have met a number of black painted originals. The modern replacements are supplied bright and shiny but I think the bike looks a lot better for the brake rod being black. I had an original rod on my cammy which was of course black and I always thought that bike looked better than my single which then had a chromed rod.

Paul

[ray.tolman]

Hi Paul,
Actually, I fully agree with you.
My saddle springs were chromed when I acquired the RH. I stripped and painted them black.
Much better, in my opinion.
Too much chrome catches the eye, directing it away from the real beauty of the Ariel as a whole.
A question, please:
Were the front brake cable spring box on girder fork, front wheel nuts/washers, 5656-35 (nut securing detachable guard stay), chromed as supplied in 1937?
Thanks Paul.
Ray