laird387 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) Hi, An interesting model spotted at the 2001 Talmag was this Ariel rigid based special. Obviously quite a few details are not original - the ground clearance seems to have grown, but didn't they all ! I don't know whether the rider, Peter Hampton, did all the work because it certainly has a ring of Jim Susan's 'Bikecraft' skills, like the chromed front hub, for example, looks the part and not only is lighter than the 'correct' full-width alloy Ariel hubs - but also I expect it to have superior braking. I like the tucked away oil tank but wonder why the standard gearbox/clutch seems to be fitted, most of us changed the mainshaft for the AMC version (both use the Burman box) then replace the very heavy Ariel clutch and use an AMC version. That tucks the clutch in so that you can dispense with the bulbous clutch cover and fit an almost flat alloy cover, saves a load of weight and about two inches in width- at ankle crunching level..... By the way if anyone needs a set of the correct red, gold and black Ariel waterslide tank transfers - I still have a few sets left at a fiver each set, including postage to the United Kingdom only. Enjoy. Edited January 22, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Hi, Another 2001 Talmag image, this time French rider Joel Corroy with his Ariel 'special' - but pity about the Ariel Golden Arrow tank transfer! Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Hi, Another Ariel, another regular visitor to the Talmag Trophy trial, Belgian Eddie Zels in the 2001 event with his tidy Ariel replica. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Hi, Another nice looking Ariel replica at the 2001 Talmag Trophy, Alan Ketley aboard one of Jim Susan's bikes. With the correct Red, black and gold tank transfers which I supplied to Jim ! Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Hi, Another Ariel in the 2001 Talmag Trophy was Andrew Arden with the 'Arden family' Ariel HT5. Although not credited with the result at the first attempt, after a recount he proved to be the outright winner on the day. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted January 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Hi, A very tidy looking Ariel HT3 ridden by Martin Land of Taunton in a Bath Classic trial in 1999. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted February 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) Hi, When, along with Howard Midgley and Dennis Bridges, we were planning the initial British Bike championship, Dennis the enthusiastic Secretary of the Stratford-upon-Avon club, was keen to resurrect a trial 'just like they used to be' in Warwickshire. We found suitable bits of ground, some of it on Ron Langston's farm, and soon had the makings of a trial. Needing a name, the Stratford club agreed to rename their Union Jack trial as the Sam Cooper Union Jack - and we were in business. Then, suddenly and very sadly, within just a few years, Dennis took ill and died. His family decided to award a Cup to the trial and chose to allocate it to the rider of the most original machine in the event - irrespective of class. Here you can see the first winner of that cup, in 1997, Dave Jones, fittingly riding Sam Cooper's old Ariel still in the same state as it had been when it left the Selly Oak factory - and that was the sort of bike that I know Dennis Bridges would have treasured. Enjoy. Edited February 8, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted February 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Hi, A very sad image this time - all boarded up and waiting for the final bulldozers - the old Ariel factory ar Selly Oak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Hi, And now for something completely different! Competing in the 1948 MCC Team Trial, Rees Lewis climbs 'Weighbridge' the steep little path that runs up the side of the Weighbridge pub near Stroud, a section that may still be in use in the 'Guy Fawkes' trial. Rees is riding his 1928 500 Ariel, complete with girder forks and hand gear-change. In the summer months a sidecar chassis with a wooden platform was fitted and the bike used to transport his grass track machines. Enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Hi, Now here is an image to help stretch your imaginations - believed to have escaped from the ill-fated BSA/Ariel 'research' centre at the Umberslade country estate when most of the other 'projects' were destined for the scrapyard, was this Ariel Arrow offroader. I have a vague memory of Sammy Miller riding it in something like the Welsh 3-days or some ISDT selection tests - maybe in the Isle of Man - but, come on you armchair sleuths - help me out - let's get another bit of history into open record. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisby Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Hi Laird387, Sorry i dont know anything about Sammy riding an Ariel Arrow (before my time) but when i rode my Ossa gripper in the Sammy Miller series 2005 to 2009, there was a guy who rode a modified Arrow. His bike had the pressed sheet steel frame, 2 stroke twin engine and the fuel tank was the same as your photo. I dont know his name but he rode it well and best of all it sounded FAB. Stephen Bisby Ps I dont suppose you would have any photos of my father, Tony Bisby he rode in the late 50s and then went to sidecars with my uncle David and also Mike Chambers in the chair up to 1965? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 (edited) Hi Stephen, I don't recall the name Tony Bisby - what make of machine am I looking for? If I find anything - I'll let you know - meanwhile -'bear with'! Deryk Edited February 12, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisby Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Hi, On sidecars he rode an Ariel not sure if it was a 350 or a 500, but i also have a photo of him assembling a chair on a Dot. he was a member of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Mc and east mids Bssa. he rode in quite a few nationals and was friends with Merle & Alan Morewood. He also rode solo on a Greeves and a Dot. I am finding your photos very interesting, Thanks for what your doing. Stephen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie prescott Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Hi Guy's. Deryk ,I think you are wrong about the Arrow coming from Umberslade? I remember the story about this Special. Scrambler, In a full page spread, I recon In the Blue Un, but when I have time I will try and find it. And the riders name may come to me. I know a picture of the bike is on an American site as well. I remember the Ariel Arrow engined James in the Sam Cooper trial , and have a picture of that on my old computer , but will need to re crank the old girl up to retrieve the picture. Good fun we are having with this though, And I am getting loads more interest in Old Brit Bikes ,for some reason at the moment? Regards Charlie. PS I remember riding with the Bisby's your over texing my old brain though, it only does ,Slow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 Hi Charlie, You could well be absolutely correct on the lack of Slumberglade involvement, you see the image was filed totally incorrectly in my system ('alleged' system would be more exact!) So then it's down to memory and just at the moment I'm subjecting that to near critical overload trying to meet all the queries, but really enjoying it all. If you are getting loads more interest in OBBs how about working on a new design of lightweight girder forks - there now that's a mind boggler - but look how successful Howard Davies was with the Black Shadow....... Enjoy - as ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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