Hello.
Must say a great forum.
My 1939 Ariel VH was dispatched on 23/08/1939 to a gent in Germany, but clearly did not make it out of the UK as on 5th September 1939 it was supplied to the Central Inspectorate Stores, Transport (Ministry Of Supply). It was supplied outside of a ministry / W/NG contract.... being one of 207 VH's supplied by Ariel to CIST at that time.
I have no idea of its military history but it was 'civilian' registered in Plymouth in May 1944. There was no signs of any 'military' paint on the bike, it still had its original black frame / mudguards and red centered chrome rims.
The Ariel factory frame and engine number prefix letters have been overstamped with the letters XWD (EX war dept I suppose....applied with a three letter stamp as opposed to three single letter stampings). The XWD prefix appears on the old buff logbook I have so it appears these stamps have been applied before it was civilian registered. There are also some odd non 'Ariel' letter stampings on the top of the seat tube...an '&' and an 'X'.
I am in the Ariel owners club and to date no-one can shed any light on where the XWD may have been added.
I have read the 'British Forces motorcycles 1925-1945' book and I believe that in the later war years / after the war some ex forces bikes went to motorcycle dealers who 'sold' the machines on, some went back to the factories.
My question is: does anyone recognise the use of an XWD stamp on 'recommissioned' military bikes.
Regards
Alan
