Ariel built bicycles before it began the manufacture of motorcycles with 3-5 hp single-cylinder White & Poppe engines. The company was acquired by Charles and his son, Jack Sangster who increased production of motorcycles and made the firm quite a success. When the 1914 war broke out the Ariel range consisted of 498cc side valve singles and 998cc V- twins. In the 1920's they hired a trio of talented designers, Valentine Page, Bert Hopwood and Edward Turner, who would all become leading figures in the industry as time went by. In 1936 Edward Turner left to become boss of Triumph in Coventry, after Jack Sangster bought that factory. During the war, many 347cc ohv Ariel machines were used by the Forces. Jack Sangster, also head of BSA at Birmingham since the early fifties, moved Ariel nearer to Armoury Road and many BSA and Ariel parts were identical. Edward Turner moved from Meriden (Triumph) to Armoury Road (BSA). He was also responsible for Ariel which eventually moved from Selly Oak (Birmingham) into the BSA factory, and created in the early 1960’s the famous 247cc vertical twin two strokes, the Leader and the Arrow which were designed once more by Val Page, and proved to be excellent machines, but as with the rest of the British motorcycle industry, Ariel had gone by the end of the decade.

Click links for reviews and the photo to see a full size version

Up to 350cc Models

1966 Bantam
160cc

1958 Colt LH
200cc

1960 Arrow
250cc

1961 Leader
250cc

1952 NH Red Hunter
350cc

1958 NH Red Hunter
350cc

    

500cc Models

1938 VH Red Hunter
500cc

1952 VH Red Hunter
500cc

1955 KH Field Master
500cc

1956 VH Red Hunter 
500cc

1959 VH Red Hunter
500cc

     

 above 600cc Models

1952 Square Four
600cc

1954 FH Hunt Master
650cc

1957 VB
600cc

1958 Cyclone
650cc

1952 Square Four
1000cc

1973 Healey 1000/4 
1000cc

    

 

 

 

Ariel Model Reviews

Arrow 1960-65, 247cc, 2-stroke twin, 305lb, 55mpg, 75mph
A stripped-down Leader the odd looking Arrow was fast and smooth by the standards of the time, although it also pumped out blue smoke and could do with better braking. It was also built as the Sports model, named 'The Golden Arrow' with 80mph, and as the 200 Arrow. 

Colt 1954-60, 197cc ohv, 270lb, 80mpg, 65mph
 A smart looking utility single loosely based on BSA's C11. Lightweight Ariel tinware now difficult to find.

FH Huntmaster 1954-58, 648cc, ohv twin, 400lb, 55mpg, 100mph
Touring twin based on the BSA A10 engine. Good availability of spares makes this a nice bike to own, but the electrics can let it down.

KH Fieldmaster 1948-58, 498cc, ohv twin, 390lb, 65mpg, 90mph
A rare touring twin with the engine fitted into standard Ariel cycle parts. Shares many cycle parts with the 500 single. A smooth runner but hard to get spare parts.

Leader 1958-65, 2-stroke twin, 330lb, 55mpg, 70mph
A radical and new idea for building the frame from pressed steel panels. The Japanese made it work for their low spec models. This fully-faired touring motorcycle was ahead of it's time. The engine is good but oils up the plugs quite quickly. There were a lot of optional extras available which make it an interesting renovation project.

NH Red Hunter 1945-58, 347cc, ohv single, 365lb, 70mpg, 75mph
Another single in the traditional British design. Reliable engine but not matched by a good frame. The swinging arm model handles better.

Square Four 1946-60, 997cc, ohv four, 480lb, 45mpg, 100mph
This four cylinder engine has given this model a place of renown. Despite being mechanically noisy, it is very smooth. The earlier models are prone to overheating on the rear cylinders and the handling is not so good. There was also a better Healey framed version which was expensive given it's lack of performance.

VB 1945-58, 598cc, sv single, 370lb, 50mpg, 60mph
One of the last side valve sloggers. Great reliability, with some charm and no performance.

VH Red Hunter 1945-58, 497cc, ohv single, 375lb, 55mpg, 85mph
A bigger version of the 350 for which the Ariel club can supply most of the replica bodywork for a renovation project.