Author Topic: ariel square four info (Read 8471 times)

fuzzybutt · « **on:** January 12, 2009, 06:51:34 PM »

i am wondering if anyone here knows alot about the late40's square fours. a friend recentlygot one as a barn find and he wants me to help with the restoration. problem areas special tools and all that.

bill440cars · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2009, 07:42:52 PM »

Quote from: fuzzybutt on January 12, 2009, 06:51:34 PM

i am wondering if anyone here knows alot about the late40's square fours. a friend recentlygot one as a barn find and he wants me to help with the restoration. problem areas special tools and all that.

Ohh, no help here.

Closest I could readily find a photo of was this 1937 Squaare Four

Wish I could be of real help! Mt Dad had dealings with one but it was about a mid 50's model that some guy brought in and talked my Dad into letting leave it there and it was completely apart (the guy who was restoring it for him, gave him problems so he gathered it all up and brought it to my Dad and he'd never even seen one before) Dad finally got it all back together after quite some time and didn't want to ever see another one, in that state of disassembly.

I always thought they were pretty decent myself.

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2009, 07:48:14 PM »

i had no idea that they had such a large displacement. this one is 998cc's

bill440cars · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2009, 07:56:58 PM »

Only one I ever saw was that one that my Dad worked on and I was really impressed by THAT one! Of course, I might have been about 12-14yrs old at the time.

The one I saw was like this 58' model, minus the sidecar though.

mark · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:44:14 PM »

no help here either and my only pic is parts.

nickjtc · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2009, 08:23:51 AM »

The iconic bike that has always lived in the shadow (sorry about the pun) of the Vincents. There is a significant following for the bike in the UK so there should be no shortage of info to be had on line.

azuredesign · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2009, 09:26:43 AM »

Quote from: bill440cars on January 12, 2009, 07:56:58 PM

Only one I ever saw was that one that my Dad worked on and I was really impressed by THAT one! Of course, I might have been about 12-14yrs old at the time. The one I saw was like this 58' model, minus the sidecar though.

Unusual and beautiful side car-bike combo, thanks!

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2009, 10:35:26 AM »

That sidecar must be the "family model." It's as big as my Honda CRV.

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2009, 10:59:03 AM »

properly assembled, are they reliable at all? he has the idea he's going to do long distance touring on this thing.

nickjtc · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2009, 11:08:19 AM »

The biggest issue with these was that the rear two cylinders, being out of the cooling air stream, tended to get very hot. I believe that this was partially addressed in later models.

I would think that with sensible modern upgrades, like electronic ignition, modern electrics and a spin-on oil filter kit (with regular oil changes) there would be no problems with covering miles on the bike.

Remember that in England these bikes (often with a sidecar like in the photo) were routinely used as the family transportation, both for getting dad to work and for taking the missis and kids on holiday (+luggage).

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2009, 12:20:34 PM »

Give me a day or two and see what I can find in my collection of stuff...

Who knows... Might have a shop manual.

azuredesign · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2009, 02:16:51 PM »

Quote from: azuredesign on January 13, 2009, 09:26:43 AM

Quote from: bill440cars on January 12, 2009, 07:56:58 PM

Only one I ever saw was that one that my Dad worked on and I was really impressed by THAT one! Of course, I might have been about 12-14yrs old at the time. The one I saw was like this 58' model, minus the sidecar though.

I guess the side cars were made by a company named Busmar. Here's some more photos I found of the bike sold in Las Vegas

http://www.michaelsmotorcycles.com/1958ArielSquareFour/index.htm

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2009, 05:46:14 PM »

Well after some searching... I couldn't find anything in my stash of old manuals and info.

But I found these online:

http://redhunter.com/ariel/aomcc_prefix.htm

http://www.arielownersmcc.co.uk/index.html

http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/books_manuals.htm

http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/components/electrics.htm

http://www.dropbears.com/bikelinks/Technical/

http://www.britishmotorcyclespares.com/Ariel_motorcycle_manuals.html

http://www.flipkart.com/ariel-motorcycles-workshop-manual-1933/1588500713-2sx3fbhhcf

http://www.arielmotorcycles.com/

Hope some of that helps.

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2009, 06:20:31 PM »

thanks a bunch Havoc! all those sites will be a help for us in the next year or so

RRRToolSolutions · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2009, 07:17:53 PM »

Jeff, I'd like to come see that bike one day. I've always thought I'd like to ride one. Too bad it wasn't watercooled - that square design is so sweet.

Regards,
Gordon

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2009, 10:16:26 PM »

well Aaron my buddy took one look at how long this was going to take and how much money it would take to restore, he's agreed to give me the 48' ariel including ALL the spares in trade for my 750f roller. the ariel is coming from southeast texas. cant wait for my new toy to get here. i dont know if i'm going to be able to sleep tonight thinking about it

he says it's all there and has a load of new parts coming as well.

bill440cars · « **Reply #16 on:** January 14, 2009, 04:47:38 AM »

Quote from: fuzzybutt on January 13, 2009, 10:16:26 PM

well Aaron my buddy took one look at how long this was going to take and how much money it would take to restore, he's agreed to give me the 48' ariel including ALL the spares in trade for my 750f roller. the ariel is coming from southeast texas. cant wait for my new toy to get here. i dont know if i'm going to be able to sleep tonight thinking about it he says it's all there and has a load of new parts coming as well.

Fuzzy, I totally understand your being ANXIOUS and I'm ANXIOUS for you Buddy.

Knowing that a Vintage bike like that, was coming to me, WOULD BE DRIVING ME NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy guy, YOU deserve it!

bryanj · « **Reply #17 on:** January 14, 2009, 08:00:34 AM »

I had a mate who restored one in the 80's and even then it wasnt easy as parts are not about and when finished i would not say it will be a reliable tourer ESPECIALLY in a "HOT" area as they did sieze even in UK.

I will check but i seem to remember a firm called Healeys was the spares/marque specialist back then

RRRToolSolutions · « **Reply #18 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:34:45 AM »

Jeff, I would really like to help you on that one. Give me a call or mail when it comes in.

Bryan, I'm sure it won't be easy, but with today's internet - it should be possible. I remember fixing CB350 Hondas was harder 15 years ago than it is today - simply because the internet has brought millions of parts into our living rooms.

Darn, you've made me want another bike...... a real old one

and the wife says "no or go". Guess I'm going to miss her

Gordon

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:25:05 PM »

i havent told my wife yet. she HATES motorcycles and doesnt even want to hear about the one i have BUT she knows love me love my motorcycles. gordon i wanted to ask you too, are there any clubs in our area that might cater to owners of old british iron like i'm about to own? i know from my experience with the sohc 4 forums that a good network is priceless when looking for technical help, parts or encouragement. i know this is not going to be a quick or easy or cheap project. if i have to choose between putting money into the ariel or the vette it's going to be the ariel.

RRRToolSolutions · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2009, 03:11:17 PM »

Jeff, you'll be invited to our VJMC lunch to be held in Columbia on the 31st of January and I'd really like for to to come. There should be 20 guys there with all sorts of experience, much of it British, American, Japanese, and German. Most of the guys grew up workign on, riding, and caring for anything with wheels. The only thing we all really have in common is that we'd all rather be working and riding vintage machinery over the new stuff.

If you don't find anyone having specific experience on that model, don't let that worry you. With a shop manual and careful attention and lots of photos - any level of repair is possible. I don't know if you have ever visited Wheel Through Time up in Maggie Valley, but Dale has some old machines - 300+ in fact. A very good friend of mine does a lot of work for him and has repaired and built many parts so I'm convinced he and his dad can do just about anything.

I'll give you some phone numbers when we meet later this month.

Regards,
Gordon

Ichiban 4 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:15:04 AM »

Fuzzy:

I owned/rode several Aerial Square 4's..in the early to mid 60's..rebuilt them..a couple were choppers..etc.

It's been over 40 years..but I remember a lot. Just ask me some of what you're concerned about..I'll try to answer.

First-off..you'll need to buy a Whitworth tool set. Okay?

A good restored Mark II or III will fetch a lot of money nowadays. So you might have a potential investment after fixing up some.

Think also our British brothers here may have some info..

Write me..

Al / Ichi

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #22 on:** January 21, 2009, 10:30:58 AM »

it will be here 1st or 2nd of february. included are resleeved cylinders, new pisons, rings and pins, bushed rods and a polsihed crank with new bearings, magneto with an electronic ignition refit and lots of other new or refurbed small parts. it's already been converted to a *negative ground system.

* thanks for letting me know about that typo Bill

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Author Topic: ariel square four info (Read 8471 times)

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