Slievenamon 2011

Me, Huw and Welchy went to Kilkenny last weekend for the Slievenamon rally. Welchy kindly lent me his 1926 Ariel for the weekend. The rally is for pre-31 bikes so there was some nice stuff there.

Some pics:-

My steed for the weekend - 1926 Ariel Model B - 557cc sidevalve single

Couple of old uns - veteran Humber and a Revere.

Early 20's AJS Big Port 350cc

Mid 20's Royal Enfield v-twin

Early Scott 2-stroke

Welch prepares to prepare - 1913 Triumph 500

Early 20s Indian Powerplus with sidecar. This bike has shocking brakes despite being very powerful. Failure of said brakes resulted in Paddy Guerin putting it in several ditches on the Saturday and taking a trip over the handlebars. Mrs Guerin, in the sidecar, wasn't amused.

Another shot showing the complex lever arrangement on the tank.

Flat tank Norton sidevalve - Big 4 or 16H - not sure which.

1920's Rudge Multi

Outside the `coffee' stop in Inistioge on Saturday. We visited this village several times during the weekend. The last time, on Sunday morning, we arrived about 11am. The pub was closed. The owner popped his head out and said `will you be wanting a beer lads? We're not open til 12 but if you come round the back door you'll be alright. Just incase any Garda are about...' And he was right. The pub was quite busy.

All in all a cracking weekend.

DoomRamp

The mini is finished and ready to rock. Walls are painted white, which should show the blood nicely.

Had my first proper roll there today - first pumping up the transition from the flat just to see how it rides. Been a while since I've had to do that, since I learned to drop in anyways. Managed a few sketchy kickturns a way up the transition but it rides pretty well. I was a bit concerned that the middle section isn't the best join but it makes no difference.

So, time to drop in - there is more head clearance at the far end of the garage so I tried that first. Drop, accelerate, bloody hell!! Dropping in - no problem, being fired at the other transition like a bastard cannon ball - a tad more difficult. Fookin fast as fast. Kinell.

It'll make me a better skater or kill me.

Pot Hunter

The Ariel Club wanted my 1913 TT Ariel on the show stand at Stafford. Imagine my surprise when it won 2nd Place in the Veteran class - can't have been many vets there this year...

More Progress...

Me and the Bird fixed the last transition section today:-

Got to fill the gap in the middle, countersink some screws and paint the walls and we're rockin.

50s Wrecker

Decided to put my 50's Ariel together to see what I have and what I need. Also to see if I can reclaim the registration number. Its not a pretty sight:-

Bike is a 1951 plunger chassis which started out as a KH (500 twin) now with a 1951 VH engine (500 single). It has the makings of a bike but will need completely stripping. Thinking about making it into a bobber, but we'll see.

Bob a Job

Bobster came over to The Doom to help me reskin the mini. After a somewhat bouncy start we got the 2ft bit in place and screwed it down:-

We had to lash the next 4ft section down cos even with both of us we couldn't bend it enough and hold it in place:-

Most of the second 4ft section is fitted - just got to finish screwing it down, fit the second 2ft section and fill the flat bottom.

Instant Re-Ply

Started to reskin my miniramp today. Proved to be a bit tricky on my own, armed only with tie down straps and a big hammer. Managed to get the first big sheet fitted anyway. Second one I just couldn't hold with the straps. Will need some assistance,