classic motorcycle forum

Thank you sir. I felt very honoured that every copy of "A Guide to Ambassador Motor Cycles" was sold and that feedback was positive.
I might get round to updating it as a third edition, when time allows.
Best regards. M

Hello
Re: Ambassador Motor Cycles
I'm only an infrequent visitor to these pages, but if anybody needs any help or advice with anything Ambassador related (the British manufacturer, not the Moto Guzzi machines, or the badged up Chinese machines), please get in touch.
This is best done by email - ambassadorguide@gmail.com
Thanks
Michael Easton
VMCC and BTSC Ambassador Marque Specialist
Co-author of "A Guide to Ambassador Motor Cycles"
Keeper and compiler of the Ambassador Machine Register

Hi Ian
Yes, Silvers do pattern silencers which I think are CB200, but will do. This will be my second option, but just thought I'd ask if anybody out there had a Honda one.
Cheers

Probably not of direct help to you, but of general note, to quote Bacon:

"Magnetos had a set of standards from their early days when they were always mounted on a platform. This set the spindle height at 35mm (code letter M) or 45mm (code letter K) above the platform, along with other outline dimensions. Over the years, magneto performance went up and their size went down, but the spindle heights stayed the same."

You could try Renovation Spares.
Phone/fax +44(0)1527 892344 or mobile number +44(0)7976695435 or email on info@renovationspares.co.uk

Well done Don and John.

According to Peter Hartley's The Ariel Story, it is likely to be an Ariel Model A featuring the Val Page newly designed 577cc side valve engine, introduced in 1925. The sv engine was fitted in the Model A and Model B, these being a Sports and Touring machine respectively. A new 499cc OHV engine was also introduced at the same time by Page, this being fitted to the Model C (Super Sports) and the Model D (Touring). The Model A was produced between 1925 and 1930.

Further research informs that the models were redesigned and fitted with saddle tanks in 1927 and that in 1926, the poor stopping power of the, then older models was dealt with by an upgrade to 7" brakes. All this would indicate Andy, that the gentleman in the photo, is sat astride a 1926 Ariel Model A.

Hi Trans
Sorry to pour a bit of cold water on things, but from what I have read above and from your photos, I'm not convinced that it is a Supreme. My feeling is that the numbers you have quoted are probably just lug casting numbers. As 33d6 mentions, the frame number should be stamped just below the saddle on the flywheel side of the bike. If it is an Ambassador, (in 1951/52) it should start with a letter and then be followed by seven or eight numbers. I agree that there are quite a few similarities between your bike and a 1951 Supreme, but equally there are a few key differences, the main one for me, being the rear plungers which are ever-so-slightly different in design to the Ambassador versions. Also, your seat post looks to come up above the sloping line of the rear frame tubes, as though it has provision to fit a seat post. Ambassador frames of this period did not have this and featured a lug which just curved around to join the tubes behind and above the engine. I agree that the headlamp bracket does share a similarity with those used on the 1950 Ambassador Series V, but your forks are not those as featured on that model.
See if you can find that frame number - that will confirm things, in terms of it being an Ambassador or not. Happy to send you further information.
Regards
Michael
PS - my email address has changed and is now ambassadorguide@gmail.com
 

Hello George
Forgot to mention, if you email me directly I'll send you some information through, specific to your '54 Popular.
Cheers
Michael