2 stroke information

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS CATALOGUE

The single letters used above, to identify the models are the suffixes to the engine and frame numbers. All bikes left the factory with identical engine and frame numbers.

There were very few changes made to the 2 strokes during their lifetime and most of the ones that were happened at the start of the 1961 model year. The last of the ‘early’ models was built on Wednesday the 28th of September 1960 and the first of the ‘late’ models was produced on Friday the 30th of September. The changeover took place at engine and frame number T17,440 although as the bikes were not built in numerical order T17,441 was not actually built until the 4th of October. There were 4 bikes with numbers lower than T17,440 that were built after the change over to the later specification. The suffixes to the engine and frame numbers were changed as listed above and are used as abbreviations throughout the catalogue.

The other major change was to the ‘base’ colour from Admiralty Grey to Ivory, which took place at the start of the 1962 model year. The first to be built with the new colour, on 18th August 1961, was T26,399B a fully equipped Leader initially on loan to Motorcycle News and the lowest number in the new colour was T26,293B built on 28th August 1961. The model year commenced in the previous August and the numbers from the previous year overlapped. See section 26 for details of colour schemes.

There are very few differences between the standard Arrow, Sports Arrow and the 200cc Arrow other than cosmetics. The Sports Arrow used a 376 carburettor instead of a 375; the 200 had a smaller bore with matching cylinder heads and was fitted with a 49 tooth rear sprocket instead of the usual 47 tooth, which meant that it also had different speedometer gears. The only differences in the engine between the early A and S models and the later B, T, G and H models was the cylinder head. Although the inlet tract of the crankcase was enlarged for all models on the introduction of the Sports Arrow, from engine number T20,384 on the 4th of January 1961. Although it is doubtful if all bikes were fitted with the new crankcase from this number, other than the Sports Arrow of course. The official factory designation for the Sports Arrow was ‘SS’, Golden Arrow was a name bestowed upon it by the public and the ‘G’ frame number suffix a happy co-incidence?

N.B. The first or last bike to be despatched is not usually the same bike as the one with the lowest or highest number as bikes were not despatched in numerical order.

Aug 1958 First A Leader (1960 model)
7/12/59 First S Arrow (1960 model)
7/9/60 First B Leader (1961 model)
8/9/60 First T Arrow (1961 model)
24/9/60 Last A Leader built
29/9/60 Last S Arrow built
4/1/61 First G Sports Arrow (1961 model)
18/8/61 First B Leader in new colour (1962 model)
28/8/61 First G Sports Arrow in new colour (1962 model)
15/9/61 First T Arrow in new colour (1962 model)
9/4/64 First H 200 Arrow
27/5/64 Last T Arrow built
13/5/65 Last G Sports built
4/6/65 Last B Leader built
11/8/65 Last H 200 Arrow built

Dating Certificate

Ariel Works Ltd. recorded every motorcycle as it left the factory in large ledgers called Despatch Record Books. The motorcycles are listed in engine number order, along with a variety of information, which always includes the frame number, to whom it was despatched and the date of despatch. Usually other information is also recorded such model, colour and any accessories fitted. We will prepare a certificate listing the entry for your motorcycle and if possible the listing for the frame if it is not the original. This certificate is accepted by the UK licensing authorities as proof of date of manufacture but not for the retention of the original number. If you want the certificate for this purpose you must send a rubbing or CLEAR photograph of the engine and frame numbers. The Ariel Owners Club machine dating officer has kindly agreed to authenticate our certificates for this purpose. All 2 strokes left the factory with identical engine and frame numbers, the engine number is on the crankcase below the left cylinder and the frame number is only on an alloy plate riveted to the frame under the seat, often missing. Unfortunately the first 2 stroke book covering T 101 to T 3059 is missing.  Should anyone happen to know of its whereabouts there are many owners who would be glad to see it within the public domain. The cost is in the price list as DAT92 and is +VAT where applicable.

Per The figure in the column headed ‘PER’ indicates the quantity of that component used on one motorcycle. It is NOT the quantity that you will receive if you order one of that component, you will receive ONE.

Throughout this list Ariel part numbers have been used. This of course does not imply that the parts offered for sale are of original manufacture although many are.