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Since a new sub-forum for Ariels was just created this is my chance to grab the slot for the first post.
Last month I purchased a 1928 Ariel Model C 'Standard' from a friend in Ireland to ride in next year's Cannonball Rally. He originally purchased it himself to ride in an earlier Cannonball but later decided a 1924 Harley twin was more suited for his taller-than-me size so the Ariel had sat unused in his garage for the past 5+ years. He talked me into submitting an entry application for the next Cannonball and, after I was informed I would receive an entry and then unsuccessfully searched the world for two months for a suitable British bike, he remembered the Ariel collecting dust in Dublin. My reason for picking a British bike was basically because I knew "everyone" else would be on American bikes so I wanted something different. Different, but familiar -- I've had a string of British bikes since the late 1960s.
Anyway, the Model C 'Standard' is a 500 cc OHV single. Models A and B were side valves, the 'De Luxe' Model D was the same as the Model C but with slightly wider tires, larger mudguards, and adjustable footrests, and the 'Two Port Super Sports' Model E had dual exhaust ports and a sportier cam. All of these were designed by Val Page, the same person who a decade later designed the first BSA Gold Star. Collectively, these models are known today as "Black Ariels" (like Henry Ford is supposed to have said about his Model T, "you can have any color you want as long as it's black").
My Model C has the wider mudguards of the D but otherwise is standard. I've ridden it a few times already to become familiar with its idiosyncrasies... er, I mean, character. I've also done a few essential things including adding a battery-powered brake light, replaced the grease fittings with zerks, added a temporary bicycle speedometer, etc. Soon I'll tear it to bits and completely rebuild the bike to get it ready for the rigors of the Cannonball. I don't have a photograph of it on this computer but will add one shortly by either editing this post or in a new one.
The bike fresh from the shipping container looked like this:
1928Ariel02.jpg
Last month I purchased a 1928 Ariel Model C 'Standard' from a friend in Ireland to ride in next year's Cannonball Rally. He originally purchased it himself to ride in an earlier Cannonball but later decided a 1924 Harley twin was more suited for his taller-than-me size so the Ariel had sat unused in his garage for the past 5+ years. He talked me into submitting an entry application for the next Cannonball and, after I was informed I would receive an entry and then unsuccessfully searched the world for two months for a suitable British bike, he remembered the Ariel collecting dust in Dublin. My reason for picking a British bike was basically because I knew "everyone" else would be on American bikes so I wanted something different. Different, but familiar -- I've had a string of British bikes since the late 1960s.
Anyway, the Model C 'Standard' is a 500 cc OHV single. Models A and B were side valves, the 'De Luxe' Model D was the same as the Model C but with slightly wider tires, larger mudguards, and adjustable footrests, and the 'Two Port Super Sports' Model E had dual exhaust ports and a sportier cam. All of these were designed by Val Page, the same person who a decade later designed the first BSA Gold Star. Collectively, these models are known today as "Black Ariels" (like Henry Ford is supposed to have said about his Model T, "you can have any color you want as long as it's black").
My Model C has the wider mudguards of the D but otherwise is standard. I've ridden it a few times already to become familiar with its idiosyncrasies... er, I mean, character. I've also done a few essential things including adding a battery-powered brake light, replaced the grease fittings with zerks, added a temporary bicycle speedometer, etc. Soon I'll tear it to bits and completely rebuild the bike to get it ready for the rigors of the Cannonball. I don't have a photograph of it on this computer but will add one shortly by either editing this post or in a new one.
The bike fresh from the shipping container looked like this:
1928Ariel02.jpg
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