Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

dave.owen wrote:Just checked the BK is a 350 from 1947, frame should be AP or BP

Dave

DUH
You're right ... the table in the knowlegebase has a line missing ....

Hi Wayne, the most obvious differences are the flywheels and the inlet tract. The Hunter inlet port was cleaned up properly and the "deluxe" model is usually rough cast.
This is the easiest thing to look for.
The Red Hunter has steel flywheels - see recent posts about the shape of these.
A 20" front wheel was used on the Red Hunter and 19" on the deluxe, deluxe rims were not chromed.
Twin exhaust ports are often (but not always) a sign of the deluxe model.
So, depending on what is written on the timing cover (NG deluxe/ NH Red Hunter) and a combination of the above, you should be able do some investigationating and work it out.
The deluxe model is a great bike in its own right. The engine differences are minimal - same big end, combustion area and valves, with a slightly smaller carb and milder cam.
They had a different, classic look.
Whichever you have, it's a nice bike. I sat behind one recently and was surprised by how well it went.
regards, Brenton

john.nash wrote:Just checked the BK is a 350 from 1947, frame should be AP or BP
You're right ... the table in the knowlegebase has a line missing ....

Fixed, I hope...
Brenton

No letters on the case but front wheel is 20"

and yes engine and frame are bk and bp!

You have a 350 red hunter

Dave

Can you tell just from the photo?

The W/NG cover has no NH on it nor was it polished when made. Do you want a cover with NH on it? That's how it would have been, though there is a faint possibility that in 1947 the plain case might have been used from left over W/NG but not on the "Hunter" Surely. Didn't some models still use girders in 1947? Nev

The chrome and Red tank (deluxe was chrome and black or green) and the 20" wheel makes it visually a Red Hunter.
As I wrote before, the differences were mostly cosmetic.
It's probably cheaper for you to call it a Red Hunter! Changing it back would be a hassle.
When you get time, have a look at the internals.
Just post war, a lot of timing covers were blank. I'm not sure what this means - but NH inscribed ones are often on ebay or found cheaply.
Can I see a PA speedo reset knob? - does the speedo have individual holes for the numbers?
Nice looking bike though - I hope you have fun with it.
Brenton

Thanks for all your help I'll take a look at the internals next, but firstly need to make room in the garage as its still in my van! I'll also takes some pics of the tank.