By
Nigel Wynne
Submitted On December 08, 2010
Ariel Motorcycles, a British motorcycle maker based in
Birmingham, was part of Ariel marque, and was one of the major
innovators in British motorcycling. In 1944, it was sold to BSA, and the
Ariel name was no longer in use by 1970. Val Page and Edward were
influential Ariel designers.
The company was formed in 1870, with the name 'Ariel' used initially on bicycles. James Starley and William Hillman launched a wire-spoked wheel, with a lightweight frame made of metal. By 1872, they separated, and James went on with his cycles, and won many races, setting speed records. Eventually, he established a business along with his sons, and in late 1880s, Ariel Cycles were taken over by the Rudge-Whitworth concern, an amalgamation of several small cycle manufacturers.
The Ariel name was re-used in early 1890s, and after its registration as a trade name, a few cycles were manufactured. At this junction, Dunlop, the mass-producer of the only make of the pneumatic bicycle tyres resumed bicycle making in 1896. With bicycles forming a major mode of transport, there was much unrest among bicycle manufacturers.
A company called Cycle Components Manufacturing took over Ariel in the year 1897, and it was shifted to the Dale Road works. From there, the first motorized Ariel, albeit as a tricycle was introduced in 1898. The year 1901 marked the launch of the first Ariel motorcycle, powered by a Minerva 211cc engine. The range of machines offered by Ariel went on to use large capacity, as well as medium size single cylinder engines, V-twins, and bought-in engines, as well as engines constructed under license, such as JAP, MAG and AKD. In 1910, the singles used Poppe side-valve and 482cc White engines.
During the First World War, Ariel supplied motorcycles for the war effort, mostly for dispatch duties or home-front services. Between 1901 and 1916, Ariel produced cars, and it employed Val Page, a new designer from JAP in 1925. The range of Ariel singles, from late 1925, were based on Val Page's design. From 1927, he worked on the magneto drive, using a camshaft driven chain drive - setting the pattern for thirty years.
The standard 499cc E model used a twin-port head, and 81.8 x 95mm dimensions. The deluxe version of this was the Model F, while the special version was the Model G, with polished engine interiors. The dimensions of the smallest motorcycles were 65 x 75mm, giving 249cc, with just the Model LB being a side valve engine, the rest OHV. With the LF as the deluxe model, and LG as sporting model, twin port heads were used across the range. These models were called Colts, a name to be associated with Ariel for many years.
In 1931, the trend changed to inclined engines -- with the exception of the Ariel Square Four (or Squariel) which was a very impressive machine, designed by Edward Turner. In 1932, Ariel won the Maudes Trophy, but in spite of this success, it went into financial trouble. Jack Sangster, with his family involved in it since Victorian days, put in a determined effort and re-established the company, using a smaller workforce and factory.
In 1937 the Four was subject to a revamp and the new Four, called the 4G was introduced. Its 599cc version was named as model 4F.
Ariel supplied motorcycles for the Second World War effort. In 1944, BSA took control of the Ariel motorcycle company and the name was to disappear.
The company was formed in 1870, with the name 'Ariel' used initially on bicycles. James Starley and William Hillman launched a wire-spoked wheel, with a lightweight frame made of metal. By 1872, they separated, and James went on with his cycles, and won many races, setting speed records. Eventually, he established a business along with his sons, and in late 1880s, Ariel Cycles were taken over by the Rudge-Whitworth concern, an amalgamation of several small cycle manufacturers.
The Ariel name was re-used in early 1890s, and after its registration as a trade name, a few cycles were manufactured. At this junction, Dunlop, the mass-producer of the only make of the pneumatic bicycle tyres resumed bicycle making in 1896. With bicycles forming a major mode of transport, there was much unrest among bicycle manufacturers.
A company called Cycle Components Manufacturing took over Ariel in the year 1897, and it was shifted to the Dale Road works. From there, the first motorized Ariel, albeit as a tricycle was introduced in 1898. The year 1901 marked the launch of the first Ariel motorcycle, powered by a Minerva 211cc engine. The range of machines offered by Ariel went on to use large capacity, as well as medium size single cylinder engines, V-twins, and bought-in engines, as well as engines constructed under license, such as JAP, MAG and AKD. In 1910, the singles used Poppe side-valve and 482cc White engines.
During the First World War, Ariel supplied motorcycles for the war effort, mostly for dispatch duties or home-front services. Between 1901 and 1916, Ariel produced cars, and it employed Val Page, a new designer from JAP in 1925. The range of Ariel singles, from late 1925, were based on Val Page's design. From 1927, he worked on the magneto drive, using a camshaft driven chain drive - setting the pattern for thirty years.
The standard 499cc E model used a twin-port head, and 81.8 x 95mm dimensions. The deluxe version of this was the Model F, while the special version was the Model G, with polished engine interiors. The dimensions of the smallest motorcycles were 65 x 75mm, giving 249cc, with just the Model LB being a side valve engine, the rest OHV. With the LF as the deluxe model, and LG as sporting model, twin port heads were used across the range. These models were called Colts, a name to be associated with Ariel for many years.
In 1931, the trend changed to inclined engines -- with the exception of the Ariel Square Four (or Squariel) which was a very impressive machine, designed by Edward Turner. In 1932, Ariel won the Maudes Trophy, but in spite of this success, it went into financial trouble. Jack Sangster, with his family involved in it since Victorian days, put in a determined effort and re-established the company, using a smaller workforce and factory.
In 1937 the Four was subject to a revamp and the new Four, called the 4G was introduced. Its 599cc version was named as model 4F.
Ariel supplied motorcycles for the Second World War effort. In 1944, BSA took control of the Ariel motorcycle company and the name was to disappear.
Nigel is the author of the huge classic motorcycle resource vintagebike.co.uk where is has collated massive libraries of vintage motorcycle pictures and sounds.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nigel_Wynne/857582
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