Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

I am trying to sort out an original HT5 that has been off the road for decades, installing the rear wheel, which has the speedometer drive, I can lock up near side spindle nut no problem. When I lock up the off side nut, the wheel progressively drags the tighter the nut and stops free wheeling.
The wheel is a type 16 in the dragonfly parts list and it looks as if the components are complete and all ok.
It must be something simple - can anyone point me in the right direction ?
Thanks.

It's not that easy to get the tongues in the speedo drive properly engaged
in the slots in the driving sleeve.

Have you got the spacer on the inside of the speedo drive that allows the centre to be locked, whilst allowing the driven part (with the tongues) to rotate??

Bob.

Thanks Will & Bob - I took care to get the speedo drive tongues aligned and yes it has the spacer 4352-56, the speedo drive centre locks into position.
I started the bike and ran it in gear briefly on a lift with the offside spindle nut not quite fully tight, the speedo works smoothly.

The wheel more or less clamps in the last third of a turn of the spindle nut before fully tight, prior to that it rotates freely.

maybe a dumb suggestion....do you have the spindle mounted the other way around?
It has a 'long' side and a 'short' side

Good question Vincent, It is installed long side - near side (left side).
I have it apart (again) at the moment, dressing any burrs, looking for 'rubbing' etc.

This was how mine looked when taking apart.

This is mine - '56 to '58 (Type 16)

The spacer butts straight up to the speedo drive

Hmmmm, that set up looks very different, dished Ariel spoke flange and newer(?) type of speedo drive that has it driving cogs further inside.
The hub I have is a mix of Ariel drum and BSA slotted small flange, but I have seen the type you have also.
Perhaps the competition department used anything they could lay their hands on

Whatever was in the stores by '58......