1937 VH500

[Kevin.Priest]

Does anyone know when the enclosed valves were introduced?

[paul.jameson]

Enclosed valves were introduced for the 1938 model year so the first bikes with them would be produced in autumn 1937 and have engine prefix CD.

[Kevin.Priest]

Thanks Paul, do you or anyone else have a pic you could post of the enclosed and non enclosed engines, reason for asking is I just cant see how mine has been modified yet as previously mentioned.

[paul.jameson]

Yours is non-enclosed, so 1937 or earlier style. PM me engine and frame number and I will look it up to see what it was when it left the factory. One of the main strengths of Ariels is the interchangeability of parts between years - but it is also sometimes one of the main weaknesses when you are trying to work out exactly what the bike is.