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Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Fri May 22, 2026 1:54 pm
by JohnA
Hello fellow Ariel enthusiasts. I've joined the club having recently bought a lovely 1954 MkII. It's in sound condition, despite the surface rust and dirt that's accumulated over its 40+ years in storage. The engine turns over nicely on the kickstart but I'll make no attepmt to start it before stripping and thoroughly cleaning / restoring the engine. The bike has been modified slightly, with a later large oil tank, later front end and a swinging arm model seat (which looks good in my opinion so I'll keep it).

I need a set of downpipes, if anyone reading this happens to have a rusty old set they'd sell me (I'll be retaining the 'patina' rather than restoring as-new, so a dirty / tatty / rust set would be ideal). I've put a 'wanted' ad in the appropriate section of the forum.

If I could figure out how to post a photo, I would, but clicking on 'inssert image' isn't working. Any tips? Thanks.

Re: Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Fri May 22, 2026 3:38 pm
by JohnA
Does this work?
Ariel garden 15.3 (2).JPG

Re: Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Fri May 22, 2026 3:39 pm
by Roger Gwynn
Yes but a tad out of focus!

Re: Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Fri May 22, 2026 3:41 pm
by JohnA
...another attempt (hopefully a much better pic)
Ariel by shed 14.3 (8).JPG

Re: Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Fri May 22, 2026 5:07 pm
by Roger Gwynn
That is a nice one. Something strange about the rear brake arm, wrong rear stand spring. Bennet of club SQ4 spares was listing some ex pipes a few days ago, see buy a bit

Re: Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Fri May 22, 2026 10:54 pm
by JohnA
Only MkI pipes by the look of it - pity, because the prices look very good. That rear brake cam lever is peculiar isn't it? No history with the bike, sadly, so no way of knowing how / why it came to be substituted for the original.

Re: Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Sat May 23, 2026 9:53 am
by Roger Gwynn
I am only a couple of miles from you and happy to pop over some time to kick the tyres.

Re: Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Sat May 23, 2026 11:26 am
by JohnA
You'd be welcome Roger. I'll message you...

Re: Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Sat May 23, 2026 8:00 pm
by rein.heerkens
Send you a pm.

Re: Barn find Square Four MkII

Posted: Sun May 24, 2026 7:00 am
by nevhunter
"Barn Find" is very USA. Has the rear Part of the frame been grafted on? Maybe it WAS a RIGID? Nev