Hey Ichi, how was that '58 Ariel? I bid at auction on a '60 Royal Enfield twin (Constellation) and was so disappointed when the big players began bidding. I love admire those Enfields; I LOVE my Honda.
Encosse..
I loved my Ariel Square 4. In fact, I credit my owning that four-banger with my eventual love of the Honda fours. @ the time I had the Ariel (early 60's) it was one of a kind. A very few old Indian fours were around..also the NSU Mammoth..if memory serves. Where I lived @ time (So. California) the Square Fours were quite common and popular.
The Harley riders seemed to look down on them/us..but we could blow them away on the streets. The same attitudes you see today between some Harley and Japanese bike riders was going on then between Harley and British bike riders. Two dealers: Johnson Motors in L.A. and Skip Fordyce in Riverside sold hundreds, if not thousands from about late 40's thru early 60's [Ariel stopped production on them in 1963].
I've fantasized about getting another one..for nostalgic reasons..but they're getting harder to find..and quite expensive [I've seen them fetching from $15 to $40k..too rich for my budget]. They are also decidedly older engineering and technology (read: requiring lots more maintenance, upkeep). The rear two cylinders would tend to over-heat and pre-ignite on longer rides or on hot days (although I think a good external oil cooling system might remedy that ). They were essentially 2-vertical twins that were geared together @ the two cranks..one crankcase, of course. Another drawback nowadays, is that they were not metric or standard sized..but Whitworth..meaning a whole different set of tools, sizes, etc. were required to work on them.
When I started riding the "Nanahans" or Honda in-line 750 fours when they came out..I thought: This is the next step/progression for 4 cylinder motorcycles. And essentially I think the practicality and reliability of the in-line fours has pretty much born that out over the past 40 years or so.
I believe that most Honda 4 riders (or any in-line 4 make actually) choose these bikes for their distinctive ride, feel, sound and power band over others. I know I do. And as said previously..that appreciation started with the Ariel Square Fours.
Domo,
Ichi
