1928 Mod A/B restoration help needed

[RayBlack]

I have bought the '28 Black Ariel mentioned in a previous 'numbers verification' post. Attached are some photos. The rolling chassis appears to be relatively original, although clearly will need considerable work. Both petrol tanks are likely beyond salvage, but may act as a fabrication pattern. I will attempt to find or fabricate a valanced front mudguard and repair the rear with the extra piece seen in the photos. The front stand is missing and the rear is incorrect. Some dubious looking brazing is located around the gearbox mount/lower frame tubes - yet to be fully explored. The engine is very tired and the top end especially is both very worn and damaged (broken fins and barrel skirt). The two incomplete Burman gearboxes are also very tired, have unusable main shafts, been poorly repaired, and have numerous parts missing. The tyres may need air
I am not optimistic enough to expect to produce a 100% original restoration. My goal is to make the bike a rideable example of a Model B as close to original as possible with period and/or period looking parts. These can be replaced over time with more original parts as and when they might become available. My goal is to complete the project before the bike's 100th birthday. I have little or no experience with a bike this old (my oldest bike being a '38 Empire Star which was restored for me), and I have no experience with side valves. I'm going to need lots of help, and any constructive comments, suggestions, advise, parts sources, etc., will be greatly appreciated. So far, I have not had much success finding a lot of support here in Canada. Two vintage MC jumbles on the horizon though.
Some initial questions:
- Are there any recommended books/texts that deal with these models, or restoration of Black Ariels in general? (beyond what is available on the AOMCC site)
- If another cannot be located, could the barrel be sleeved? (again, zero experience with side valves). I likely could repair the fins myself if it is salvageable.
- Online searches for images suggest any brightwork is nickel plate - is this correct?

[RayBlack]

A few more pics:

[Julian Murphy]

Wow. What a project. Good luck.

[tony.barnett]

Nice project. I started with less than that so yours is definitely doable. But as you have said - everything is knackered and needs re-engineering or repairing.

- Are there any recommended books/texts that deal with these models, or restoration of Black Ariels in general? (beyond what is available on the AOMCC site)

Dave Barkshire wrote an epic book on Black Ariels - definitely a must have.

- If another cannot be located, could the barrel be sleeved? (again, zero experience with side valves). I likely could repair the fins myself if it is salvageable.

Yes - I would think so. Might be easier than locating another piston. But only bore or resleeve if its knackered. A sidevalve barrel will expand in an odd way due to its asymmetry - if its ok then leave it alone.

- Online searches for images suggest any brightwork is nickel plate - is this correct?

Yes - nickel plate. Chrome didn't come in until a couple of years later. For smaller parts you can buy a kit and do it yourself.

Good luck. Plenty of Black Ariel owners here. Just ask.

[simon.holyfield]

Welcome aboard Ray, you've come to the right place for support & enthusiasm to keep you going!

The black Ariel book is shown here - it's absolutely invaluable:

http://www.arielownersmcc.com/buying.html

[JohnnyBeckett]

hi Ray a very good restoration protect it will keep you going for a while

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Hello Ray, welcome to this forum. and with a name like that you really need to have a Black Ariel !
first ; there is a '28 petrol tank in the auction mentioned in the for sale section on this forum.
But it's in sweden! https://auctionet.com/sv/3417199-ariel- ... 28-england
Perhaps things can be arranged with help from a Swedisch member ?
The rear mudguard comes from a '29 or later as it is a two part one.
This 'D' shape is not a difficult shape so possibly a section that fits can be found.
Among the gearbox bits is a speedo drive, also from a later year model.
That is a good swop part as they a difficult to find .
The kickstarter looks as one from '27 but it wil fit o.k.
I see the large 'ear' is present on at least one gearbox housing, very good! as most of them are broken.
And this Burman alloy is a pain to weld, I lost my 'H' coded front cover to a welder that was not so experienced as I thought he was..
be warned !
The crankcase looks to be o.k. , no broken ears etc.
So although it looks a bit lost this Black Ariel can be made good ! succes !
And this is also a good place to find parts :
https://www.arielklub.sk/inzercia/
That's the site run by Karol (also on this forum) atm he has a '28 tank for sale : https://www.arielklub.sk/inzerat-2498-2 ... Ariel-1928
but you need to find out why the oil regulator hole is blanked off.

[RayBlack]

Thanks for the replies, information, support and advice gentlemen. Tony, Simon: I will order a copy of the Dave Barkshire book. Vincent: The tank in Sweden looks to be in great shape and I am definitely very interested, but I agree I would likely need help arranging a sale and shipping and I'm not sure how to go about this. It also looks like I will be spending a lot of time on the arielklub.sk site. Google translate will be working overtime!

[Karol Burger]

nice challenge, it will be a lot of work, but also a lot of joy.

[simon.holyfield]

I think Ray just got a taste of our international Ariel community! Canada, Slovakia, Holland, UK so far; I'm sure several other countries will soon be represented on this thread.