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Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 1:02 am
by Orestb
I am trying to identify the year and model of this Ariel my grandfather is sitting on.
Location is likely Stanyslaviv, Soviet Ukraine, currently named Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, circa 1920's - 1930's
Thanx
Orest
Re: Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:53 am
by Andy H
1928 PROBABLY A MODEL.WITH ELECTRICS
Re: Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:48 am
by Karol Burger
it is an Ariel 557 / 1928 model B
Re: Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:56 am
by Andy H
Sounds good to me Karol,I know the years from various changes but not to sure on the model numbers.looking at it again it is a B,it has a Burman box in it.silly me for not looking closer.
Re: Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:49 pm
by Karol Burger
I posted the photo on our Facebook page and got more information for you.

our friends from Poland helped with the identification
We present another photo provided by our Slovak colleagues. The photo shows a motorcyclist on an Ariel model B from 1928 registered in the Stanisław Voivodeship. This type of license plate has been issued since January 27, 1928. ST 60026 shows that it was exactly the 26th motorcycle registered in this province.
Re: Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:30 pm
by Andy H
Thanks,thats great info.
Re: Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 9:49 am
by Vincent.vanGinneke
Hello Orest, Thanks for the picture showing your grandfather on a 1928 Ariel.
I like the triangular bags, they really fit the Ariel !
Re: Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2023 1:34 am
by Orestb
Folks, thanx for the replies and information.
Unfortunately when my mother was shown the photo of what I thought was Gramps on his Ariel,
she stated emphatically that it was not him but a distant relative.
(my Gramps was much thinner in the previous photo...probably before he got married!)
So that brings me to a photo that I know is of Gramps with his Ukrainian riding buddies.
He is the one with the black armband standing behind the second motorcycle in line.
I'd be interested in knowing what the 1st Ariel in that line is, reg # ST9230
The gentleman sitting astride that Ariel is my Gramps brother-in-law.
The photo is allegedly taken in Stanislaviv, now named Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine.
Also would be nice to identify all the motorcycles in the photo, so that future generations can enjoy.
Thanx in advance for all the help!
Orest
Re: Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2023 6:35 am
by Karol Burger
the first one is Ariel SB/1931, then FN and again Ariel 500 / 1930 and again Ariel SB/1931
beautiful photo. well thank you
in this thread I am refurbishing these models
viewtopic.php?t=13213
Re: Grampa's Ariel in pre-war Soviet Ukraine
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2023 7:03 am
by Karol Burger
adding information to the first photo. Extract from the book of motor vehicles.
for "Stanisławowski Dziennik Wojewódzki" No. 3, 1932