Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

There has been discussion about when Ariel made theire first own engine, in September 1902 there was a 2 HP Ariel mentioned but some thought it was a Minerva engine, here you can see that late 1902 they already had a own 2 HP engine.
The frontforks are also Ariel.

It is nice to have confirmation that Ariel did build their own engine this early, I wasn't sure if it was theirs or possibly Abingdon but their bike with a similar engine did not arrive for another 2 years.

Interesting, and have either of you read The Quest for King Dick by William Whiteley? It concerns the Abingdon Works and their products, Ariel of course come up a number of times.

So tube outside the tank 2 HP, inside 2-1/4 and separate carburettor 2.5 HP.
We are learning everytime a new lead comes up.

This is what i found on the Abingdon engine.

TonyBaxter wrote: Wed May 13, 2026 3:48 pm Interesting, and have either of you read The Quest for King Dick by William Whiteley? It concerns the Abingdon Works and their products, Ariel of course come up a number of times.

I have a copy of that book, he contacted me when he was researching it many years ago and we had quite a correspondence but he forgot to tell me he had completed it and I only came across it when I was doing research for my own book. Rather a confusing read if one is looking for facts!

Roger Gwynn wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 10:56 am

TonyBaxter wrote: Wed May 13, 2026 3:48 pm Interesting, and have either of you read The Quest for King Dick by William Whiteley? It concerns the Abingdon Works and their products, Ariel of course come up a number of times.

I have a copy of that book, he contacted me when he was researching it many years ago and we had quite a correspondence but he forgot to tell me he had completed it and I only came across it when I was doing research for my own book. Rather a confusing read if one is looking for facts!

I've read through it twice now, and have to say the shenanigans of the company (companies?) over the years with constant changing of directors and the dissolution and recreation of the business over and over again is bewildering. Bill has covered more than just the history of the bikes, perhaps he should do a follow up covering only the wheeled products.

Abingdon was; "just in time for the Stanley show 1904" on that same show Ariel ended the 2HP and 2-1/4HP own engines, only making the 2.5HP of that engine wich they where making from September 1903 until 1909.

I think William Whiteley contacted me to at some point but gave no facts from before 1904 Stanley show.