classic motorcycle forum

Well as I was there, and working  £20 was about average, I bought my first  house in 1970 on the strength of  20pw and overtime.

Retro info onthe web is not reliable is it? 30 quid a week average wage in 1964,???  In the trade I worked in, a weeks wage for a time served man [5yrs]started at £12pw

£70 in 1971  would not have been exactly a rip off but on the high side I reckon, but depends who you bought it from, and if it was near mint reasonable if you were happy with it.

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Sorry your cynicism won't allow for the actual reality to intrude

What cynicism? I asked a reasonable question,you answered it. I have no idea of the exchange rate back then. I do remember Uk was full of Americans  taking advantage of the  favourable exchange rate and then clearing off to Europe avoid the draft.
In1972 I was working for a SE London dealer and a full 75% of our new bike sales was to Americans, especially as we were only 60 miles from Dover. My wage then? £25pw

As for riding a Honda cub to Tangier? Its been done several times and further besides, look at some of the Honda Cub forums, they delight in such things,ok they are nuts and masochists but it works.

Was not the worst winter for 42 years either, not here 1947 was a killer for cold, and we had no fuel, coal or food to speak of, thanks to your then president.

Saddened you seem to have taken umbrage after starting off on such a pleasent note.

LOL...it would seem your then PM was the one responsible for the UK food, fuel, and coal...the US Pres pretty much dealt with the US. Sorry it was so bad for ya'll.

By 1971 the average National UK wage ( for men ) was £28 per week.
 Based on a 40 hour week and post decimalisation Bitter at 12.5p / pint
 One hour's work would buy 5.6 pints.

 https://books.google.com/books?id=CY2RRWDsNq4C&pg=PA91&lpg=PA91&dq=average+wage+per+week+London+1971&source=bl&ots=7eUqsVIqp-&sig=rk4DQroYweqxNTAipbEwUiZXIOw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwikocPfjNLUAhUB04MKHWZNA0sQ6AEIPzAE#v=onepage&q=average%20wage%20per%20week%20London%201971&f=false


A loaf of bread cost 9p and the average weekly wage was around £32. Today, a loaf costs 53p and weekly wages are about £475. Property prices have also risen. In 1970, homebuyers could expect to pay £4,975 for a house.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiV9J2VjtLUAhUjzIMKHYmrA3EQFggvMAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fuk%2F2004%2Fmar%2F05%2Fhealth.drugsandalcohol&usg=AFQjCNHHcP1Qf1l2Qd6fKHRYZdtrzeQcFw


Actually, I just couldn't find anything online that had 20 as an average wage...I was also there, BTW...and several people in London and on my journey mentioned the "worst" winter in 42 years...not my weather forecast, other people's.
I can't imagine crawling through freezing rain, snow, and heavy lorry traffic on a Cub...or walking either.
All the traffic I saw on the highways were big bikes and cars among the lorrys...never saw a Cub or a Moped. Bultacos, Moto Guzzis, BMWs, BSAs, etc.
Inter-town traffic was nothing but tiny bikes, Cubs, Lambos, etc...I was on a solid Ariel and traveled at speed a few hundred per day, most days.
As I am not dumb, young, or prone to blurting out random facts, my memories are not solid fact but the Net bears out my info...sorry you worked for below standard wages but we all make choices.
I rode through Mexico on my FXR several times, and I have heard several times others make contradictory to my specific experiences statements.
They were undoubtedly wrong...or just never there.
I lived in Afghanistan in the early 70s...young ex-military types have said since then many things not too relevant  to history or fact, just what they remember. I pay little attention to supposition.
As an old guy, I put little faith in "memory" as a source, but the Net and many publications contain info that lives eternal.
I at least have specific info on my Ariel...happy am I.

 

I do remember Uk was full of Americans  taking advantage of the  favourable exchange rate and then clearing off to Europe avoid the draft.

There was no draft per se in '71...the lottery system eliminated the danger for most. (first one held in 1969 for 1970) 1970, 71, 72... except a few birthday years... so we all went on traveling jags. Thus ended the Anti-War movement.
I was so far in 2nd ranks of the lottery, then 3rd, I was not in any danger of call-up...I left my Navy ROTC college classes behind and went traveling. Nam was winding down and troops were being removed.
History shows how lame conscription was, and we all agreed.

No, it was 46 years ago and I had walked miles that day looking for a bike I could afford.
The bike shop was ecstatic to get rid of it...likewise I was thrilled to get such a cool bike.
I paid $175 for it...it was so clean and classy.
The VB seems to be the model, it looks real familiar...I remember the cylinder being taller, the bike less cluttered...but the plunger rear suspension was so different from the many older Euro bikes I saw at the time, that is the same suspension. And it rode so steady with just the right amount of noise.
 I met the caretaker of Dover Castle when I went there to catch the ferry to Zeebrugger (?); he loved the bike and checked it over a bit, showed me some loose nuts and such I tightened. It was such a fine looking bike, the Burgundy painted tank and the simple but elegant Ariel badge and clean all over.
I had a fine time starting it in the cold winter air; but it always fired up, and the spark arrestor was interesting.
I heard what happened if one did NOT retard the initial spark, so I was careful.

I rode it a long while every day, it addicted me to long bike journeys and big bikes.
Just as soon as I win a small Million Dollar lottery I intend to own another Ariel; as I am already a Harley fanatic it will be right at home.
Thank you for the help in locking down my fuzzy knowledge of my Ariel.