classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => Identify these bikes! => Topic started by: grantus on April 12, 2008, 07:04:20 PM

Title: Strange bike
Post by: grantus on April 12, 2008, 07:04:20 PM

Can anyone identify this bike? I am told The photo was taken of a friend's father in England pre WW2.
 The odd features are the radial head fins and vertical barrel fins, and also the strange shape on the side of the tank.

The muffler in front of the frame looks home made, but it also has a fishtail type that may help.

(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa47/schneigel/mysterymotorcycle.jpg)

Title: Re: Strange bike
Post by: Martin_UK on April 12, 2008, 08:41:03 PM

Looks like a V Twin engine installed in a pre-war Ariel Square Four frame, cycle parts and fishtail exhaust.

Could be a home-made special ?

Martin

Title: Re: Strange bike
Post by: cardan on April 12, 2008, 10:59:23 PM

Yes it's the sidevalve version of the Ariel Sloper, which shared a frame with the square four. There are some photos of a restored one here:
http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Ariel%20Bikes/pages/Ariel-SB31.htm
Hard to belive, but the exhaust sytem is not only original, but was repeated on the other side of the bike!

Leon

Title: Re: Strange bike
Post by: 33d6 on April 12, 2008, 11:06:02 PM

It's a 557cc sidevalvesloper Ariel. Ariel produced a sloper range for 1931 & 32  and this is one of them.
The transverse muffler & exhaust system is correct.
The strange shape on the side of the tank is a rubber kneegrip and is in the style of the time.
Cheers.

Title: Re: Strange bike
Post by: grantus on April 13, 2008, 06:52:17 AM

Thankyou very much, you guys are great!

Title: Re: Strange bike
Post by: arielguy on April 21, 2008, 02:46:37 AM

It is a 1931. The instrumentpanel on the tank reveals that.