Lovely bike. I’m the wrong side of 70 but after my G2 matchless snapped it’s crank back in 1967 I bought a 1939 Ariel red hunter. It came from a friend of mine who bought it from a guy who was giving up motorcycles. My friend was 15 and wrecked the 350 engine riding it around local fields. I bought it from him and got it home in 2 wheelbarrow loads. Fortunately it came with bottom end and barrel of a rebuilt 250, handy because I was a learner. I used the 350 head and cam and rebuilt the bike. After it’s MOT I used it everyday for the next year and passed my test on it. Sold it to another friend on condition that if he sold it I would get first option, unfortunately he forgot so I lost track of it . Some 10 plus years later while visiting my parent’s I got a phone call that said did the reg no CTR480 mean anything, yes it was my Ariel. Turns out it was found in a rough state in a basement in Aylesbury. I don’t remember the guys name but he was president of the Rudge owners club and he sent me some pics of it after restoration. I bought the bike for £5 and sold it for £10. Present value around £10,000. Even if it was worthless it’s the bike I wish I’d kept.
Thanks for giving an old motorcyclist so much pleasure, I felt like it was 1971 and I was riding my much loved 1949 Ariel KG 500 again. I can't ride anymore so your video is very special to me.
A perfect pilots eye view. I miss my first Ariel so very much. I've had three more since, and a 1940 W/NG sits in the garage right now, but for some reason the first one has the fondest memories. On the A roads my old 500 short stroke could hold it's own against the rest of the 1990s traffic, but the back roads are where it really came to life. Being 30 years younger was a blast as well 👍
Gorgeous! I am turning green with envy. I would have loved an Ariel. I had an old 3TA and miss her so badly. At least I know she is still going. Thanks for posting.
I had totally forgotten the mufler sound of this easy pace bike. Have enjoyed the ride like if I were riding it. A father´s friend had a 1957 Ariel 500cc single and went by my house twice a day back in the fifties, Good thing you diddn´t play any music. The only missing in the video is a walk around to watch your bike. Thanks for posting.
Hellish traffic! I rode a'49 Red Hunter to Italy and back in 1974 and 1980-cruising speed sometimes up to 75 mph-she never missed a beat-mind you we had leaded petrol then!
Lovely ride, bike sounds quite good, I see you found the nasty drain cover and sunken road directly outside The White Hart Inn! That one has bitten me a few times - Look forward to a trip out on the Buell
It was a lovely ride, perfect weather for it. great to see footage of the Redhunter finally, such a beautiful bike! too bad my rear-left indicator had given up just prior to recording making it look like I'm not signalling, but oh well ill fix it soon. hope to see more of this beauty in the near future. keep it up!
Looks and sounds very sorted. I'm riding a 39VH with dual up-swept pipes, and it has a very similar sound as yours. A I've just installed newly relined brake shoes up front and trying to get them bedded in quickly. I'll do an onboard video first chance. Thanks for publishing your trip.
Great video - watching it with headphones is almost like I've back in time to '68 -'70, and riding my '57 Red Hunter 500 single again!
Lovely bike. I’m the wrong side of 70 but after my G2 matchless snapped it’s crank back in 1967 I bought a 1939 Ariel red hunter. It came from a friend of mine who bought it from a guy who was giving up motorcycles. My friend was 15 and wrecked the 350 engine riding it around local fields. I bought it from him and got it home in 2 wheelbarrow loads. Fortunately it came with bottom end and barrel of a rebuilt 250, handy because I was a learner. I used the 350 head and cam and rebuilt the bike. After it’s MOT I used it everyday for the next year and passed my test on it. Sold it to another friend on condition that if he sold it I would get first option, unfortunately he forgot so I lost track of it . Some 10 plus years later while visiting my parent’s I got a phone call that said did the reg no CTR480 mean anything, yes it was my Ariel. Turns out it was found in a rough state in a basement in Aylesbury. I don’t remember the guys name but he was president of the Rudge owners club and he sent me some pics of it after restoration. I bought the bike for £5 and sold it for £10. Present value around £10,000. Even if it was worthless it’s the bike I wish I’d kept.
Thanks for giving an old motorcyclist so much pleasure, I felt like it was 1971 and I was riding my much loved 1949 Ariel KG 500 again. I can't ride anymore so your video is very special to me.
A perfect pilots eye view. I miss my first Ariel so very much. I've had three more since, and a 1940 W/NG sits in the garage right now, but for some reason the first one has the fondest memories. On the A roads my old 500 short stroke could hold it's own against the rest of the 1990s traffic, but the back roads are where it really came to life. Being 30 years younger was a blast as well 👍
Nice. I ride my '37 500 Red Hunter in Nova Scotia, Canada. Much less traffic and lovely roads. I guess I'm spoiled.
I love the way you eased the old girl along and let her find her own pace - same way as I drive my 1950 Jowett Javelin.
Gorgeous! I am turning green with envy. I would have loved an Ariel. I had an old 3TA and miss her so badly. At least I know she is still going. Thanks for posting.
I had totally forgotten the mufler sound of this easy pace bike. Have enjoyed the ride like if I were riding it. A father´s friend had a 1957 Ariel 500cc single and went by my house twice a day back in the fifties, Good thing you diddn´t play any music. The only missing in the video is a walk around to watch your bike. Thanks for posting.
Enjoyed your video. What a great bike you have. Ariel made one of the finest
Hellish traffic! I rode a'49 Red Hunter to Italy and back in 1974 and 1980-cruising speed sometimes up to 75 mph-she never missed a beat-mind you we had leaded petrol then!
Lovely ride, bike sounds quite good, I see you found the nasty drain cover and sunken road directly outside The White Hart Inn! That one has bitten me a few times - Look forward to a trip out on the Buell
It was a lovely ride, perfect weather for it.
great to see footage of the Redhunter finally, such a beautiful bike!
too bad my rear-left indicator had given up just prior to recording making it look like I'm not signalling, but oh well ill fix it soon.
hope to see more of this beauty in the near future. keep it up!
Looks and sounds very sorted. I'm riding a 39VH with dual up-swept pipes, and it has a very similar sound as yours. A I've just installed newly relined brake shoes up front and trying to get them bedded in quickly. I'll do an onboard video first chance. Thanks for publishing your trip.
with the inspection lamp in the tank, a nice idea.
A bulb inside the speedo would have made more sense 👍
anywhen is great to see this video!!!!
id love to own that
Love this video, it takes us all back in time when motorcycling was hands on. nice to see the speedo working, is this original?
I'm guessing this is 500 , and not 350 ng.
Get an instructor to fix your throttle hand position before you get hurt. Please.
IT'S A TOTAL FAILURE BIKE. PLUNGER TYPE OIL PUMP FAILURE. TRADITIONAL OIL LEAKS. HEATING OF ENGINE BADLY.
like ur momma
Yeh what a failure...70-80 years old and still running.