1956 Ariel HT5, 498cc. Registration number SLE 689 (see text...

Estimate

£6,000 - £7,000

1956 Ariel HT5, 498cc. Registration number SLE 689 (see text). Frame number RT121. Engine number MJ121 MA674.
Sold with the 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.
SLE's early history is unknown but by 1966 it was with Michael Wright, the the next year his brother Paul, who sold it to David Clissett.
Our vendor bought it several years ago and set about a full restoration with the original frame and engine. It has later development upgrades including Norton forks, Leader alloy front brake, hi level exhaust, concentric carb, rear set folding foot rests, polished steel flywheel and alloy rims. It has been occasionally fired up and ridden in the garden.