Vingin Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 G'day from Holland. New to HMVF so let me introduce myself; my name is Vincent and live in the Netherlands or as I prefer to write: 'Holland'. Have done -at that time compulsory- service with the Dutch Infantry, but that was long ago, 1977. Longer ago my father and his brother served in the Prinses Irene Brigade, my uncle as 'Engelandvaarder' from 1940 and my father from 1944. Both in what was called 'de Trein' (the Train) I think sometimes reffered to as a L.A.D. Light Aid Detachment, but I could be mistaken with that. Back to me, while in service I bought my first motorcycle, a Ariel VH from 1951. That was my only transport for a couple of years. From '84 I ride a BMW R75/5 and I still do. In fact it's such a boring motorcycle that I bought a Norton alongside to keep spannering. I am still spannering on that one. In 2005 I bought a 1945 Ariel NG. Found out that it was ordered by the Dutch Government during the war by a Dutch organisation in London called N.O.R.R. (Netherlands Organisation for Relief & Rehabilitation) . My bike is one of 400 ordered straight from the factory by the NORR. It was build in November '45. At the moment I am the third keeper of the Ariel. First owner was a Dockyard Engineer that used the Ariel for dutys in the (completely destroyed) harbor of Rotterdam just after the war. Fast Forward now ...2 weeks ago a long standing motorcycle friend asked me if I would be interested in the wreckage of a burnt Ariel W/NG. As you can see the complete engine & gearbox are gone. Perhaps the cilinder and cilinderhead can be saved. Also all brass fittings have disappeared, I think the heat must have been near 1080 to do that. I am going to check if the heat has had any effect on the soldered frametubes in the lugs. Amazingly there still is some paint left here & there. That would indicate that the heat has not been uniform over the whole bike. Probably the oil saturated engine and gearbox generated the most of the heat. Hopefully frame and fork can be saved as I intend to rebuilt it. Through a list on the website of Draganfly (Ariel spares) I learned that this W/NG was in the RAF. That's it for now, all the best to you all and If anyone has any advice with regard to the W/NG, do tell me.(and yes, I know I am nuts wanting to restore it) Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Welcome in Vingin. That is quite a job you have taken on, look forward to following the tale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcot1751 Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Welcome to the HMVF Vincent :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane.c Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnie Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Welcome. Anything is possible,good luck with your project. Arnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vingin Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 A bit of progress : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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