Ariel Leader
{{Short description|British motorcycle}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name = Ariel Leader
|image = File:Ariel Leader left side.JPG
|aka =
|manufacturer = Ariel Motorcycles
|parent_company =
|production = 1958–65
|predecessor =
|successor = Ariel Arrow
|class =
|engine = {{Convert|249|cc|abbr=on}}, two-stroke twin, alloy head
|bore_stroke = {{Convert|54|x|54|mm|abbr=on}}
|top_speed = {{Convert|68|mph|abbr=on}}{{cite magazine |magazine=Motorcycle Mechanics |date=August 1966 | page=50|title=Look at the Leader! Used road-test }}
|power = {{Convert|16|bhp|abbr=on}} at 6,400 rpm{{cite book |title=Motor Cycle Data Book|page=58|publisher=George Newnes|location= London, UK |year=1960 }}
|torque =
|transmission = Four-speed, unit construction, fully enclosed half-inch pitch chain final drive
|suspension = (front) trailing link oil-damped (rear) swinging arm
|brakes = {{convert|6|in|mm|adj=on}} front and rear drums
|tires = Front and rear tyre 3.25 x 16 in
|rake_trail =
|wheelbase = {{convert|51|in|mm}}
|length =
|width =
|height =
|seat_height = {{convert|30|in|mm}}
|dry_weight = {{convert|330|lb|kg}}weight varies according to optional equipment fitted
|wet_weight =
|fuel_capacity = {{Convert|2|impgal|L USgal}}
|oil_capacity =
|fuel_consumption = {{Convert|80|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgUS}} maximum{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}
|turning_radius = {{convert|8|ft|m}}
|climbing_ability =
|related =
|similar =
}}
The Ariel Leader was a British motorcycle produced by Ariel Motorcycles between 1958 and 1965. A radical design, the Leader was fully enclosed with an integral windscreen and was the first British motorcycle to have optional flashing indicators.{{cite book |last=Currie |first=Bob |title=Classic British Motorcycles |publisher=Chancellor Press |year=1993 |isbn=978-1-85152-250-7}} After a few years of success, Ariel could no longer compete against Japanese imports. The last Ariel Leader was made when the factory closed in 1965.
Development
File:Ariel Leader right side.JPG
Designed by Val Page and Bernard Knight, The Ariel Leader featured a 250 cc two-stroke engine suspended from a monocoque 'backbone' fabricated from 20-gauge pressed steel panels. The fuel tank was hidden inside this structure and accessed by lifting the hinged dual seat. A dummy petrol tank was used for storage and was large enough to fit a spare crash helmet.{{cite web |url=http://www.realclassic.co.uk/arielleader08040800.html |title=1963 Ariel Leader |access-date=24 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115092314/http://www.realclassic.co.uk/arielleader08040800.html |archive-date=15 January 2009 |url-status=dead }} It was the fully enclosed body, similar to that developed by Phil Vincent for the innovative Vincent Black Prince, that was most prominent, as none of the working parts of the motorcycle were visible.
File:Ariel Leader dash detail.JPG
As well as a full body, the standard Leader features included a headlight trimmer, an extendable lifting handle for easy centrestand use, and a permanent windscreen mounting. Factory listed options included: integral hard-luggage panniers, the first flashing indicators on a British motorcycle, a dash-mounted parking light, windscreen top-extension (adjustable on the move), a rear rack and a clock aperture built into a dashboard, which was closed by an Ariel badge when not fitted.
Launch
Launched in mid-1958, the Leader claimed to offer the comfort of a scooter with the performance of a motorcycle. It sold well, and it won the Motor Cycle News Motorcycle of the Year award in 1959. Ariel supported the launch with a range of options, which was unusual at the time. Hence few of the 22,000 Ariel Leaders produced were the same. Colour schemes, many of them two-tone, were also a break with tradition. They included Oriental Blue or Cherry Red with Admiral Gray accents.{{cite web |url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1959-ariel-leader.htm |title=1959 Ariel Leader |date=16 September 2007 |access-date=24 November 2008}}
Ariel Arrow
This was a cheaper, stripped Leader produced from 1959 and was developed into the Golden Arrow sport version in 1961.
A sister-machine designated Ariel Arrow 200 – with a smaller capacity of 200 cc, achieved by reducing the bore to 48.5 mm from 54 mm whilst retaining the same stroke – was available from 1964 to bring it into a lower tax band and benefit from lower UK rider insurance premiums.{{cite magazine |magazine=Motor Cycle |date=19 November 1964 |title=Earls Court Show Guide: Ariel Models for 1965 Season |page=850 |quote=... the relatively new Arrow 200 ... Reduced insurance premiums, for only slightly less performance; that's the Arrow 200 claim }}
In his 1964 Motor Cycle road test, Bob Currie reported good performance, with an absolute top speed – with "rider lying flat, of course" – of 74 mph and a cruising speed which could be held at 60 mph.
The bike had the usual Arrow ivory background colour, but with the tank and chaincase finished in either aircraft blue or British Racing Green, and tank badges with the legend "Arrow 200".{{cite magazine |last=Currie |first=Bob |magazine=Motor Cycle |title=Road tests of new models |date=15 October 1964 }}
After the Ariel factory closure, in 1967 Ariel marketed its last motorcycle, the Arrow 200 produced for a time by BSA.{{cite web |url= http://www.realclassic.co.uk/ariel03090500.html |title=Ariel Arrow review |publisher=RealClassic |access-date=3 March 2014}}
In 1960, a prototype Arrow with a 349 cc twin-cylinder four-stroke engine was made to sell alongside the Ariel Leader. The budget engine, designed by Val Page to do {{convert|75|mph|abbr=on}}, was canted to fit the Arrow frame. It was thought the initial {{convert|18|bhp|abbr=on}} power output could have been increased to {{convert|24|bhp|abbr=on}}, but development money ran out and the project was dropped.{{cite magazine |title=An Everyday Story Of Ariel Folk |magazine=Classic Bike |date=November 1981}}
Demise
Notes
{{reflist|group="note"}}
References
{{reflist}}
See also
External links
{{Commons category|Ariel Leader}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090115092314/http://www.realclassic.co.uk/arielleader08040800.html Real Classic Guide] Ariel Leader