classic motorcycle forum
Motorcycle Discussions => Identify these bikes! => Topic started by: BonT100 on March 24, 2010, 09:03:30 PM
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Here's a picture of my Dad's Ariel that he owned in the early 1950s.
Can you tell me what model it is. Is there a way I can find out if it still exists?
Thanks.
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It looks like a bike I saw that was mentioned as a Model KG 500cc twin to me. If the bike was in the UK I believe there is website that you can use to check if it is registered in their system.
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This is definitley not a VG 500 twin. The exhaust pipe on the left hand side confuses the issue somewhat but identifies it as a 350cc NH Red Hunter of the late 40's-1950 period.
For some reason the Ariel factory at that time fitted the NH with a prewar style twin exhaust port head whereas the equivalent 500cc VH Red Hunter had a much more efficient single port head. This was an annoyance to NH owners as it doubled the cost of a replacement exhaust system so you paid more (a lot more) whilst knowing the twin port head reduced performance. This was on top of only being a 350 when all your mates rode 500's or even the occassional 650 twin. As you can guess, I had one when it was old and weary and I was young and broke. It was a very sweet bike but like all teenagers, sweetness was low on my list. I was not who the bike was intended for.
Cheers,