‘04 Ariel

[adrie.degraaff]

Yes it is.

[leon.mitchell]

I fell in love with this bike when I saw it in the First VRTJ in the 1970s. I still love it...

I wonder is it correctly dated? This model - complete with the new Druid fork and the new Brown and Barlow rotating barrel carb - was still in the Ariel catalogue in 1907-8, and since this example is fitted with these items I wonder was it sold as a "1907" or "1908"model, even though it is close to unchanged from 1904. Perhaps it was even built in 1904, left over, and updated by Ariel for later sale?

Things were grim in the motorcycle market in the UK around 1904, and the makers that didn't give up all together (Raleigh, Humber, New Hudson come to mind - they all re-entered the game around 1910-11-12) struggled on selling the same models in the period 1904 - 1908. Bradbury, like Ariel, sold bikes in 1908 that were indistinguishable from their 1904 model.

Triumph and the Bosch HT magneto saved the day and at last there were reliable motorcycles in 1907-08 - the beginning of a new era.

Cheers

Leon

[adrie.degraaff]

The 1904 Ariel didn't have a spring forks, these forks have a patent number of 1906.

The most survivers (of the heavy model) are august 1904 so i think they where dumped for the recession, the 1905 year had only 2 models where they had 10 models in nov. 1903.

The nov. 1904 heavy 2-3/4 Ariel altered every year up to 1909 by just having beafier lugs and most visable the handlebars getting longer.
The nov. 1904 light 2-1/2 model had a differend frame and tank, it got magneto ignition in 1906-7.
Both with Ariels own engine.

I think i have seen all pre 1910 Ariels in person exept for license number LE8000 of David Weeks of Epsom, Surrey wich is a 1904? heavy long frame with Minerva 2-3/4 engine but a non matching Ariel tank so could be a Fleet and then i have seen it with a Belgian number.

[adrie.degraaff]

I fell in love with this bike when I saw it in the First VRTJ in the 1970s. I still love it...

According to "Yesterdays antique Motorcycles" there is a 1904? heavy rearcam Ariel in New Sealand, they where in the proces of buying when the owner died, the family didn't want to sell to them anymore.
So there is a opportunity.

[jerry.mortimore]

This is the Fleet equivalent. I have created an artwork file for the tank transfer but it needs a bit of tweaking and possibly access to a Fleet of that period to get the size adjusted a fraction. Big transfer. I do have the Fleet headstock and rear mudguard transfer for any Fleet motorcycle or bicycle available.

[adrie.degraaff]

I have never seen one on a motorcycle.

[jerry.mortimore]

Adrie - do you know if there any Fleet motorcycles about? I have never seen one, only a picture of one on the Pioneer run but that had one of the Fleet 3-wheeler decals on the tank.

[adrie.degraaff]

There is one in Belgium but not that decal on the tank.

[jerry.mortimore]

Is it this one? Photo from Pioneer run in about 2009. This one has the decal from the Fleet 3-wheeler delivery trikes from the 1920's-30's. Would like to get in touch with him if possible.

[leon.mitchell]

According to "Yesterdays antique Motorcycles" there is a 1904? heavy rearcam Ariel in New Sealand, they where in the proces of buying when the owner died, the family didn't want to sell to them anymore.
So there is a opportunity.

I'll ask my New Zealand friends, but the shed is bulging with bikes to restore! About 25 years ago I came across a messed-about frame for one of these rear-cam Ariels (or Fleets), but even then I used self control.

Nice to see the 1904 Fleet Jerry. Longuemare carby, all-rod controls (no Bowden wires), rigid fork - all the hallmarks of the earliest model. Any ideas when the interesting pivoting combined stand-carrier was first used at Ariel? I've not seen it in any period illustration, but a number of the survivors have it.

The Fleet in the 2009 Pioneer Run photo looks to have a Minerva motor?

Cheers

Leon

Rear-valve Ariel