Ariel Motorcycles

Ariel was another company that started out
making bicycles. James Starley and William
Hillman called their bicycles 'Ariel', meaning
spirit of the air.. a reference to emphasize how
light they were. The company was started in
1890, but by 1902 they decided to go the motorized
way. A Kerry two-cycle engine was adapted to
the bicycle frame, and shazaam..a motor bike.
Charles Sangster took over the company in 1905
and his first big move was to couple a three-speed
transmission to the Kerry engine. World War I
forced the plant to close up, but in 1918 Sangster's
son Jack reopened it. Under the younger Sangster
Ariel developed a four horsepower 'White & Poppe'
engine that was revolutionary at the time. Ariel
went through a couple of mergers, but Jack Sangster
remained in control. In 1930 the company introduced
it's square four engine for the first time. It was basically
two V-twin engines mated together and was the idea
of designer Edward Turner. At the onset of World War II
Ariel turned it's facilities over to the government for the
duration of the war. At the conclusion of hostilities in
England, Ariel was sold to BSA Motorcycle Company. BSA
produced the 'Huntmaster' bike which was an Ariel with a
BSA 650cc engine. The bike was very reliable and could
easily exceed 100 mph. About 50% of all Huntmaster sales
were with the sidecar attached. In the 1950's Ariel models
and most of the BSA line moved to a smaller engine and
the company took a big interest in scooter models. 1970 was
the last trace of Ariel as it showed up in a 49cc trike. An
embarrassing end to what was a great motorcycle.