cruising speed VH

[ChrisNewton]

Hello Ariel Guru's

Last nights ride out with a friend, made me consider that i was asking too much from my VH

so first question, " what should i be cruising at speed wise ?" this is going to throw up some sprocket questions i know

but before i answer those (cant do it now i'm at work ) someone on here must have played around and sourced sprockets to improve top end

i feel the bike in its currant set up is good at about 50mph , i've seen 60 but the engine was revving at this speed - still more in it but i don't want to push her to hard

seems to me that the VH is able to pull the side of a house down in its currant set up a i am through the box and in to to top swiftly

and it then pulls strong from 30mph upwards - did swap the primary crank sprocket to 21 teeth (i think) as it was 19 when i bought her

what are the thoughts of the Panel ....? over to you

[pete.collings]

You don't say what year your VH is, but for swinging arm VHs the standard engine sprocket is 23t, with the standard chainwheel at 44t. In the very early days of my Ariel ownership, I once fitted a 19t engine sprocket to my VH as the existing one was badly worn, like you the acceleration was great, but it vibrated badly at speed, and bits kept falling off! It should be possible to source a 23t sprocket, to make riding the bike a bit more comfortable, and this would give a top end speed around 85mph.

[ChrisNewton]

Pete

Sorry yes apologies - 1954 is the year of the bike and its a 23t sprocket on the crank

has anyone played with the rear wheel sprocket set up - a smaller sprocket here would give it longer legs

i don't want the engine to work to hard but i would like it to sit at 60 mph comfortably as it is, she feels like she revving way to high

[Keith.owen]

Hi,
General consensus is that most long stroke singles (irrespective of their manufacture) are at their happiest at or around 50 ish. We are not talking about cammy Nortons, Velos calubman/Venom or BSA Goldstars.

The VH should do 80+ mph flat out, in standard tune with standard sprocket. I think 50 - 60 is more comfortable, all considered!!

Keith

[ChrisNewton]

Keith
Thanks for the input - that's where it feels most comfortable - i will most likely leave well alone

[Leejm]

I would go with a 23 myself. The revs will be lower for a given speed and be smoother as well, you will also have longer in each gear instead of racing though the gears.

[dave.owen]

My 52 VH is happiest running at 60-65 either solo or two up.
I'm running a 23t engine sprocket, engine in std tune with 7.5:1cr.
Dave

[ChrisNewton]

Thanks Dave

[ian.scott]

I felt my VH could do with a higher gear, it was fitted with a 23T as standard so I fitted a 24T as made by the Ariel Spares, but found it felt 'flatter' and unhappy so I went back to a 23T.

Ian

[ChrisNewton]

Interesting Ian - thanks - i have to say i thought the rear wheel sprocket would have had some variations