Ariel Square Four

aeronca65t

Great Pumpkin

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• Oct 31, 2006

• #1

OK, here's some snaps of an Ariel Square Four....a real classic Brit bike.
These things were built from the early 30s to the late 50s. Started out as a 500cc and ended up as 1000cc. Engine cylinders were cast-iron "square four" with single head. Single carb with built in manifold. I've seen one in-the-flesh. They are impressive.

With *interesting* side-car combo

The "square" motor

Late 50s ASF

 

tony barnhill

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P

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• Oct 31, 2006

• #2

They are - but tell me more about that sidecar!

 

coldplugs

Darth Vader

Platinum

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• Oct 31, 2006

• #3

[ QUOTE ]
OK, here's some snaps of an Ariel Square Four....a real classic Brit bike....

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely. When I was a kid either a Square Four or a (Vincent) Black Shadow was the bike to aspire to.

I pretended our Triumph Cub was an Ariel.

 

ecurie_ecosse

Luke Skywalker

Offline

• Oct 31, 2006

• #4

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
OK, here's some snaps of an Ariel Square Four....a real classic Brit bike....

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely. When I was a kid either a Square Four or a (Vincent) Black Shadow was the bike to aspire to.

I pretended our Triumph Cub was an Ariel.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ariel's were impressive. I used to pretend the Triump cub was a Vincent too,only my fantasy was the "The Black Prince"

Stuart. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

Roger

Luke Skywalker

Bronze

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• Oct 31, 2006

• #5

There's a hillclimb special I've seen at VSCC Prescott with 2 square 4 engines in a practically-nothing GN-like chassis.
Thanks, but I'm not brave enough!

 

OP

aeronca65t

Great Pumpkin

Offline

• Oct 31, 2006

• #6

[ QUOTE ]
They are - but tell me more about that sidecar!

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry...even the webpage I got it from didn't have much to say about it (but there is another photo). Go here:

https://www.thecreeper.net/ariel.htm

 

Simon TR4a

Jedi Knight

Offline

• Nov 2, 2006

• #7

I remember seeing one of these back in the 1960's, they were regarded as a flawed concept because of problems cooling the rear cylinders, which apparently burned holes in their pistons.
The very idea of 1000ccs was a cause of awe and wonder in the days when big bikes were half that capacity and 350cc singles were something I aspired to.
I remember thinking of Ariel and Royal Enfield, with all their chrome trim, as classier than the more common BSA and Matchless competition.
Nice pictures, thanks for posting them.
simon.

 

SilentUnicorn

Yoda

Offline

• Nov 3, 2006

• #8

Years Ago in a land far far away.....I went to a swap meet with acouple of Bud's, one on a 47 Chief, and another on a Sportster and myself on my Trumpet. We met a Guy at the meet riding a square four. We were all properly impressed. One thing led to another and we ended up riding with him to another Land. But to keep along story short.... That Square Four had a very distinct sound for a motorcycle, almost like a Porche. very nice machine.


mark

 

davelgee

Senior Member

Offline

• Nov 7, 2006

• #9

The sidecar in question is a "Watsonian" IIRC. Manufactured in England in the late 40s to the Mid 50s. I have some more information on them (Old Panther road test), I will see if I can dig it up.

Cheers!
Dave G.

 

Simon TR4a

Jedi Knight

Offline

• Nov 8, 2006

• #10

There was an article in Classic Bike Guide this month about a "Healey" motorcycle, powered by the square four Ariel engine.
Good magazine.
Simon.

 

Steve

Moderator

Staff member

Platinum

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• Nov 9, 2006

• #11

Those Wasonian sidecars were once a common sight on the roads in the UK during the fifties and sixties. I remember seeing quite a few. The family-carrying sidecar became a thing of the past when the Mini started becoming popular.