Ariel HT5500 Trials
 |
|
| Ariel HT5500 | |
| Manufacturer | |
|---|---|
| Also called | HT5 500, HT5500 Trials, HT5 500 Trials |
| Production | 1956 - 59 |
| Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV |
| Transmission | 4-Speed, Burman |
| Suspension | Front: Telescopic fork Rear: Swing arm, hydraulic dampers |
| Brakes | Front: Drum Rear: Drum |
| Weight | 132 kg / 291 lbs (dry), |
| Manuals | Service Manual |
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
Stopping was achieved via Drum in the front and a Drum in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic fork while the rear was equipped with a Swing arm, hydraulic dampers. The bike weighed just 132 kg / 291 lbs.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Ariel HT5 500
Sammy Miller's Ariel HT5 registered GOV132 was the genesis
for this model of Arial which achieved 161 international and national
championship trials between 1958 and 1964. We don't know of any other single
machine in any type of motor sport with a record like that.
There are now hundreds of copies of 'GOV 132' which are
used every week in classic trials including Sammy Miller's own Ariel which is
still in regular use. Sammy Miller built 'GOV 132' when he was a factory rider
for the Ariel motorcycle company in Selly Oak, Birmingham and at which time he
was employed in the Ariel competition shop.
The standard 500cc Ariel trials motorcycle manufactured at
the time was known as the model HT5 and was based upon the single-cylinder
overhead-valve 500cc 'Red Hunter' Ariel. Once Sammy Miller had developed 'GOV
132' from a standard HT5, everyone who liked to ride 500cc trials machines
wanted a 'Miller' Ariel. Today, there are probably more copies of the Sammy
Miller Ariels than there were HT5 models built. It is still possible to buy a
frame which is a replica of the original motorcycle and there were plenty of
500cc Ariels of various models built over the years which provide the engines
and gearboxes. Usually the forks are Norton, the front hub is REH and the back
one is often from an Ariel Leader. Wide ratio gear clusters (needed for trials
competitions) are available as are the oil and fuel tanks, sprockets and all the
other items needed to build one of these magical machines.
| Make Model | Ariel HT5 500 |
|---|---|
| Year | 1956 - 59 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV |
| Displacement | 497 cc / 30.3 cu in |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Exhaust | 1-into-1 |
| Induction | Carburetor |
| Starting | Kick start |
| Max Power | 18.6 kW / 25 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-Speed, Burman |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Swing arm, hydraulic dampers |
| Front Brakes | Drum |
| Rear Brakes | Drum |
| Wheels | Steel, laced wire spokes |
| Front Rim | 2.75 x 21 in |
| Rear Rim | 4.00 x 19 in |
| Ground Clearance | 220 mm / 8.7 in |
| Dry Weight | 132 kg / 291 lbs |