Introduction

[Liam.Plant]

Hi , I'm new to the club and have made an offer to purchase a 1932 Sq 4, provided the family of the current owner can find the Gearbox. This bike is a stretch for me, as the only other bike I have restored is a 1968 Honda CL450 (parts almost as unobtanium as the Cammy SQ 4's). I will get into the history of this bike if and when I actually purchase it, but suffice it to say the current owner is in poor health and has many, many motorcycles in varied states of restoration. He purchased this bike about 30 years ago an spent 10 years doing a frame up restoration. He has not worked on this particular one in about 20 years. What he has now is a really nice rolling frame and headlight, a seat tray that needs restoration, and an engine in pieces. If he is able to find he Burman gearbox, the bike will be mine.

Two questions: Can you find replacement gearboxes for Ariels easily? and ... Are the Gearboxes of the foot shift and hand-shift models the same or are there differences? (he definitely has two foot shift ones, but the '32 is hand shift.

[nevhunter]

I reckon you would get one somewhere. . See the replies when the sun comes up. Nev

[Simon.Gardiner]

Liam:
I'm not particularly familiar with Square 4s or pre-war Burman gearboxes, but some of the info here might help:
https://draganfly.co.uk/product-categor ... ll-models/

If you don't know already, it helps to be aware that the last two numbers of an Ariel spares number usually denote the year it was first introduced. If you look down a list of Burman part numbers you can get an idea of what was changed when.

Burman also supplied other motorcycle manufacturers and there is a certain amount of commonality, see for example:
https://draganfly.co.uk/wp-content/uplo ... oAriel.pdf
However, that doesn't mean that there won't be something that is exclusive and difficult to find!

(If you join the AOMCC the Club gearbox spares organiser will be very helpful.)

Sorry I can't be more definitive - I'm sure others will be.

SG

[JohnnyBeckett]

hi, Liam welcome to the forum and good luck with your Ariel you will find all you need to know on this forum forum the good members on the forum and AOMCC members , and if you join the AOMCC you can use the clubs spares , and gearbox and clutch parts from Geoff Brown at the club he is very good and helpful

[paul.jameson]

Hello Liam and welcome to the Forum. Replacement Ariel gearboxes can be found but the one for the 1932 OHC Four will be one of the more difficult ones. I think the two options for you would be either a hand change version or an external foot change version as I have an idea that the enclosed foot change version will not fit in the space available. The end covers are different for hand change and enclosed foot change. I suspect that Karol Burger from Slovakia may be well placed to advise you whether the gearbox for the 1932 OHC Four is the same as the one for the Sloper models or different.

My view is that because the OHC Four is very free - revving, like a modern four, the gearchange can be very quick so a hand change spoils the ride - in my opinion.

You don't say where in the world you are based. Knowing that would enable us to advise whether you are likely to have nearby expertise on the bike.

[nevhunter]

Yes hand change means one hand is not on the Handlebars but you stay original these days unless you have some handicap. Old stuff is old stuff. I rode fixed gear (no clutch) belt drive Triumphs once. In todays traffic I wouldn't advise it. Great machine Persist with it. Smoooth and challenging. Nev

[Liam.Plant]

Thanks for the replies. I have joined the AOMCC and paid, but the password from the most recent newsletter that was sent to me will not let me in. Will cross that bridge when I actually purchase the bike (I'm pretty sure he has the gearbox, but we will have to dig through a pile of parts in his cold attic to find it, it's mounts, the Magneto, the battery base... generally stuff from that area of the bike). Was so cold today here in Canada that I had to chip two dogs off of fire hydrants.

[Roger Gwynn]

Unless you are using a pseudonym you are not listed as a member of the AOMCC, are you confusing the Ariel club forum, this place here, with the AOMCC. The forum is run by the AOMCC but you do not need to be a member of the club to join it. Application forms here https://www.arielownersmcc.com/joining.html

[Simon.Gardiner]

Ariel club of North America maybe?
(There shouldn't be any problem with passwords on the UK AOMCC site!)

SG

[Liam.Plant]

I was indeed confusing it with North America. Thanks for clearing that up.