1959 Ariel 247cc Leader Registration Number: YSV 483 Frame ...

Hammer

£1,800

1959 Ariel 247cc Leader

Registration Number: YSV 483
Frame Number: T.3636.A

- Part of a private motorcycle collection since 2005
- Offered from the estate of a local collector, with No Reserve

Designed by Val Page and his team, the Ariel Leader and its sports derivative, the Arrow, sought to combine the virtues of speed and agility with those of cleanliness and convenience. Launched in 1958 and powered by an all-new 247cc air-cooled two-stroke twin with unitary gearbox, the Leader also broke with British tradition in its frame and suspension design, employing a stiff, fabricated-steel beam instead of tubes, and a trailing-link front fork. Detachable panels enclosing the engine and most of the rear wheel extended forwards to meet leg-shields and screen while the rear chain was fully enclosed. A highly promising design capable of further development, the Leader/Arrow deserved better than to be prematurely axed by BSA in 1965.

Subject to previous restoration, this 1959 Leader has recently joined a small collection of other period classic bikes. In current ownership the Ariel appears to have covered around 1,000 miles only, a number of MoT certificates dating from 1971 (44,142 miles) to 2006 (53,519 miles) support the current mileage of 54,514. From a deceased estate, and offered with a green logbook, this nicely presented example is sure to make a welcome addition to any collection.