1,832
edits
Difference between revisions of "Ariel"
no edit summary
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
==Intro== | ==Intro== | ||
[[Image:1949-Ariel-NH-Hunter.jpg|right|thumb|260px|1949 Ariel NH Hunter]] | |||
'''Ariel''' is one of the oldest motorcycle manufacturers. Before starting to build [[motorcycles]] around the turn of the century, they were well known for their bicycles. Based in Selly Oak in the Midlands, by the 1930s they had became one of Britain's most influential manufacturers. They employed [[Edward Turner]], [[Val Page]] and [[Bert Hopwood]] - who would later become known as three of the British bike industry's greatest designers. In the 1930s Ariel closed down due to financial problems, but was restarted when Jack Sangster son of Ariel's founder Charles, bought the firm and restarted production of bikes such as the VH500 Red Hunter. | '''Ariel''' is one of the oldest motorcycle manufacturers. Before starting to build [[motorcycles]] around the turn of the century, they were well known for their bicycles. Based in Selly Oak in the Midlands, by the 1930s they had became one of Britain's most influential manufacturers. They employed [[Edward Turner]], [[Val Page]] and [[Bert Hopwood]] - who would later become known as three of the British bike industry's greatest designers. In the 1930s Ariel closed down due to financial problems, but was restarted when Jack Sangster son of Ariel's founder Charles, bought the firm and restarted production of bikes such as the VH500 Red Hunter. | ||
| Line 9: | Line 10: | ||
==Huntmaster== | ==Huntmaster== | ||
In 1944 the firm was sold to [[BSA]]. After the sale, Ariel built two types of twins, the softly-tuned 500cc KH, which debuted in 1949 selling poorly, and the more powerful and successful '''Huntmaster''' which was powered by a modified version of the 650cc engine from [[BSA]'s A10. The Huntmaster however was it's own bike with a completely different frame from the A10. The Huntmaster was particularly popular with sidecar fanatics in the late 1950s. | In 1944 the firm was sold to [[BSA]]. After the sale, Ariel built two types of twins, the softly-tuned 500cc KH, which debuted in 1949 selling poorly, and the more powerful and successful '''Huntmaster''' which was powered by a modified version of the 650cc engine from [[BSA]'s A10. The Huntmaster however was it's own bike with a completely different frame from the A10. The Huntmaster was particularly popular with sidecar fanatics in the late 1950s. | ||
[[Image:1958-Ariel-FH650-Huntmaster.jpg|left|thumb|1958 Ariel FH650 Huntmaster]] | [[Image:1958-Ariel-FH650-Huntmaster.jpg|left|thumb|250px|1958 Ariel FH650 Huntmaster]] | ||
<br style="clear: left"/> | <br style="clear: left"/> | ||
==Square Four== | ==Square Four== | ||
[[Image:1955-Ariel-Square-Four.jpg| | [[Image:1955-Ariel-Square-Four.jpg|left|thumb|250px|1955 Ariel Square Four]] | ||
[[Image:1958-Ariel-Square-Four.jpg|right|thumb|1958 Ariel Square Four]] | [[Image:1958-Ariel-Square-Four.jpg|right|thumb|250px|1958 Ariel Square Four]] | ||
Undoubtedly, the most famous bike produced under the Ariel marquee was the '''Square Four'''. It was produced from 1931 till 1958. Its powerplant, effectively a geared together set of parallel twins, was designed by [[Edward Turner]] shortly after the future Triumph boss joined Ariel in 1928. The four's engine size started off at 500cc and soon was increased to 600cc and then 997cc. Often called the "Squariel", the powerplant was supremely smooth but suffered from overheating of the rear cylinders. Although the biggest model was capable of more than 100mph (160kph) it's performance was severely handicapped by it's excessive weight. | Undoubtedly, the most famous bike produced under the Ariel marquee was the '''Square Four'''. It was produced from 1931 till 1958. Its powerplant, effectively a geared together set of parallel twins, was designed by [[Edward Turner]] shortly after the future Triumph boss joined Ariel in 1928. The four's engine size started off at 500cc and soon was increased to 600cc and then 997cc. Often called the "Squariel", the powerplant was supremely smooth but suffered from overheating of the rear cylinders. Although the biggest model was capable of more than 100mph (160kph) it's performance was severely handicapped by it's excessive weight. | ||
After WWII the Square Four was updated dramatically. First with a lighter aluminum engine, then in 1954, with a new cylinder head and a breathtaking four-pipe exhaust system. By this time Ariel had added telescopic front forks and plunger rear suspension. Despite all these marked improvements, the heavy Four was still a cumbersome handler. Even in its final sohpisticated guise, the engine was prone to overheating. But its redeeming factors of smoothness, comfort, and looks made the bike much treasured by those who could afford them. | After WWII the Square Four was updated dramatically. First with a lighter aluminum engine, then in 1954, with a new cylinder head and a breathtaking four-pipe exhaust system. By this time Ariel had added telescopic front forks and plunger rear suspension. Despite all these marked improvements, the heavy Four was still a cumbersome handler. Even in its final sohpisticated guise, the engine was prone to overheating. But its redeeming factors of smoothness, comfort, and looks made the bike much treasured by those who could afford them. | ||
[[Image:1964-Ariel-Leader.jpg|right|thumb|250px|1964 Ariel Leader]] | |||
==Leader== | ==Leader== | ||
[[Image:1963-Ariel-Arrow-Super-Sports.jpg|left|thumb|250px|1963 Ariel Arrow Super Sports]] | |||
[[Image:1963-Ariel-Arrow-Super-Sports.jpg| | |||
The '''Leader''' was probably Ariel's bravest foray into motorcycle manufacturing. It was an innovate, fully enclosed 250cc two-stroke released in 1959. Producing peak output of 18bhp, with the twin-cylinder engine based on that of the German [[Adler]]. The leader was intended to be a proper motorcycle with the convenience of a [[scooter]]. The Leader actually worked rather well, with a top speed of about 70mph (112kph) and excellent handling. But the public didn't take well to it. Ariel later striped the bodywork to produce the '''Arrow''', with a tuned 20bhp engine in the '''Super Sports''' and '''Golden Arrow''' variants. Although the Arrow sold well it wasn't enough to stop Ariel from going under in 1967. | The '''Leader''' was probably Ariel's bravest foray into motorcycle manufacturing. It was an innovate, fully enclosed 250cc two-stroke released in 1959. Producing peak output of 18bhp, with the twin-cylinder engine based on that of the German [[Adler]]. The leader was intended to be a proper motorcycle with the convenience of a [[scooter]]. The Leader actually worked rather well, with a top speed of about 70mph (112kph) and excellent handling. But the public didn't take well to it. Ariel later striped the bodywork to produce the '''Arrow''', with a tuned 20bhp engine in the '''Super Sports''' and '''Golden Arrow''' variants. Although the Arrow sold well it wasn't enough to stop Ariel from going under in 1967. | ||