Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

Looking at a 1937 VH500 has original registration
papers, runs electric work apparently has dating cert
any thoughts on its current visable originality/condition would be appreciated.
Also been keen to know differences if any to a 1937
Red Hunter 500 and would they difference in values

And a very Late but Merry Xmas and all the best for 2019 Bruce Saunders

That looks good Bruce.
Br, Eero

That looks great, just how you want to buy them. I'd buy it but it looks like it's a long way away!

I wonder what is in the tank panel speedo hole? The chronometric on the forks doesn't appear to be connected and something is coming from the tank speedo cable tunnel; nothing is connected at the gearbox.

The first thing to do is post good pictures of the frame and engine numbers with the last number blurred, there are to many numbers altered.
The speedo tunnel and panel will thell a lot.

On originality the first things that I have noticed are...
Tank is 1936 type (37 had the rounded knee pads)
Speedo should be tank mounted PA type

The anoraks may be along soon to point out more.

There is an awful lot right with that bike. Major issues as said include the fork top speedo which is 1939 onwards. Presumably the original PA type in the tank has come to grief in the usual way due to ingress of water. If still present, it might yet be restoreable. The primary chaincase outer is 1939 onward, as is the matching clutch dome. The rear number plate looks postwar and someone seems to have "improved" the shape of the front one. The dipswitch is modern and the steering damper knob is postwar. Although the knee grips are 1936 style, the tank itself is still correct for 1937. It may be that the bike is a late 1936 model but registered in 1937 once it had found its way across the world. The rear mudguard stays have been replaced and the front stand is about 1948 vintage.
If it was near me and I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

O Wow, what a find, no matter what could be 'wrong' with it, Buy it !
Get it all functioning and go from there to make it more correct if that would be what you want.
All bits on it are there since a long time so in effect they are 'original' too.
Good for you ! have fun.

I agree,
If it were close to me and I had the money.........................

Question; Considering the age of the bike, is it really reasonable to expect it to be 100% original?

Keith

I find members expectations most unreasonable in this . By all means point out non-standard parts for information but dont expect 100% originality if the bike is ever ridden it should be .

Ian

ian.scott wrote: By all means point out non-standard parts for information but dont expect 100% originality if the bike is ever ridden it should be .

Ian

I think Ian, thats exactly what they are doing. Just pointing put whats not orginal. It can be very helpful to know. Not just for the owner but also for the likes of would be purchasers of similar machines. None of my bikes are in orginal, out of the factory spec. But over time reading all the comments here I've learned how my bike should be.