1956 Ariel HT5 Trials outfit, 498cc. Registration number 501...

Estimate

£3,500 - £4,000

1956 Ariel HT5 Trials outfit, 498cc. Registration number 501 ARB (see text). Frame number RT 120. Engine number MJ120 NH403.
Sold with the buff R.F. 60, not recorded with DVLA.
Ariel introduced a pair of new competition singles, the HS scrambler and the HT trials model for the 1954 season. Both featured engines with Red Hunter type bottom ends fitted with an alloy cylinder and head and four speed Burman gearboxes. Initially, the HT had a rigid frame but when the works team arrived in Scotland for the start of the 1955 Scottish Six Day Trials in May they were mounted on machines that were effectively the prototypes for what is arguably the finest large capacity four stroke trials bike of the day, the HT5. As a result of the development work carried out by Sammy Miller on his famous 'GOV 132', such as Norton Roadholder forks and alloy hubs, the big Ariel became the dominant force in trials competition in the late 50s and early 60s. The model fought a valiant rearguard action remaining competitive well into the sixties in the face of an ever growing number of lightweight machines.
ARB was first registered by David Tye Ltd in January 1957 selling it to George Wheatcroft the following month then Harvey Savage in the September. In 1959 it was Havenhans Motorcycles who sold it to Antony Fielding, he rode it until 1963 when it was sold to Geoffrey Pollard and the following year to David Lane.
Our vendor bought it many years ago and had the outfit professionally built with a widened frame to fit and AMC rear wheel, the swinging arm was widened also. RGH forks and conical alloy hub along with monobloc carbs were fitted. Occasionally fired up and ridden around the garden, this outfit looks ready to compete in pre 60 events.