Ariel-3

[WD Forte]

Dropped into my local mens shed yesterday as I hadn't looked in for ages
and thought I'd catch up whilst scrounging tea and biccies

One of the guys has just bought himself 3 Ariel 3's and boxes of
related stuff like engine parts etc so I stuck around chatting about
the bikes we had as lads, all fields, the usual shit.
I helped them test and check some of the spare generator/coils which
were all good bar one coil.
I noticed none of the sets of points looked at all worn or pitted so probably hadn't seen much use or had been changed regularly.
This doesn't strike me as the sort of bike anyone would or could
clock up serious miles on though.

He'd brought two of them that day, both Everglade green, he has an Orange one at home
too.
I'd never seen an Ariel3 in the flesh only in derisory articles online
so had a shufty and took some quick pics.
Its funny wee tilting body thing, 47cc 2 smoke which drives one wheel at the back the other is free wheeling.
It has a reed valve on the inlet which surprised me for an old bike
but I'm not a 2 stroke buff so maybe its not that unusual.
The charging and ignition is the pretty typical AC stuff you'd get at that time
the brochure says 6v 17W. but the charge coil looks even smaller than the coil on that Mobylette I worked on

Here's what I dubbed the 'Sports Adventure' version

https://imgur.com/0KTBphp.jpg

and this one the 'Urban fly tipper'
we got this one running for a bit but it was low on fuel so not for long
This one has a spare wheel under the shopping basket.

https://imgur.com/cazY0K3.jpg


Engine. the left wheel is the driven one.
You can see part of the centrifugal clutch in the cutaway on the left of the crankcase

https://imgur.com/h23kB9v.jpg

Charge and ignition plate

https://imgur.com/6iTICCf.jpg

Incidentally, someone had fitted an LED headlamp bulb which
flickered/strobed like buggery even at higher rpm I said I'd help him
with that.
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bikers smell of wee

[WD Forte]

https://imgur.com/ROskNIl.jpg
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bikers smell of wee

[Bhud]

Strange. It's almost like a chainsaw engine hooked up to a kid's tricycle. Almost, but not quite as good.

[Pete.]

I was at a sprint at London City Airport round about 2004-2005 racing my bike. A guy turned up with one of those fitted with a CBR600 engine. He didn't make it far before it went into an almighty speed wobble, threw him down the road with a busted leg for his troubles.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Polarbear]

I absolutely adore weird and wonderful stuff like that Ariel 3. It makes me smile.

A future classic WD, bet money on it.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[stinkwheel]

Is that rubber bush trailing link suspension on the front? Looks bottomed out. I wonder if a bump-stop from a car or 4x4 would fit?
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[WD Forte]

Yep, it is here's some pics
looks like some big aftermarket rubber donuts are needed


https://imgur.com/Xnt26lS.jpg

https://imgur.com/8YXSxfy.jpg
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bikers smell of wee

[Nobby the Bastard]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/security-solutions-cylinder-door-stop-31-x-37-5mm-matt-black/101KK?tc=CB5
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[slowasyoulike]

Nice. I passed up the chance to buy a couple of wheelbarrows full of Ariel 3 a few years ago and regretted it ever since.

[WD Forte]

I find them interesting enough and probably fun to tinker with
but wouldn't fancy riding one in todays traffic.
A few 5/10 minute jaunt's around the block would prob be ok
With a stated top speed of 27mph they might do ok in 20mph zones but that's all.

Here's short intro to them, they were dubbed "The Granny killer"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8RMAufMbvM
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bikers smell of wee

[slowasyoulike]

[A100man]