Ariel Leader
Encyclopedia
The Leader was an Ariel
motorcycle
made from 1958 and 1965. A radical design, the Leader was fully enclosed with an integral windscreen and was the first British motorcycle to have flashing indicators. Ariel could not compete against Japanese imports and the last Ariel Leader was produced when the company closed in 1965.
and Bernard Knight, The Ariel Leader was a radical new concept with a 250cc two stroke engine suspended in a pressed 20 gauge steel 'backbone' frame, welded down the middle for strength. The fuel tank was hidden inside this structure and accessed by lifting the hinged dual seat. A dummy petrol tank was used for storage and was large enough to fit a spare crash helmet. It was the fully enclosed bodywork (first developed by Phil Vincent
for the innovative Vincent Black Prince
) that was most prominent, as none of the working parts of the motorcycle were visible. As well as a full body, the Leader had a permanent windscreen and specially designed integral luggage 'panniers'. As well as the first flashing indicators on a British motorcycle other 'firsts' established by the Ariel Leader were a parking light and a clock build into a 'dashboard'.
The machine's engine was a copy of the pre-war German Adler design which was seized after WWII as part of war reparations in a similar way that the pre-war German DKW was used for the highly successful BSA Bantam range.
Ariel Motorcycles
Ariel Motorcycles was a British motorcycle manufacturer based in Bournbrook, Birmingham. It was one of the leading innovators in British motorcycling, and was part of the Ariel marque. The company was sold to BSA in 1944 and the name was discontinued in 1970...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
made from 1958 and 1965. A radical design, the Leader was fully enclosed with an integral windscreen and was the first British motorcycle to have flashing indicators. Ariel could not compete against Japanese imports and the last Ariel Leader was produced when the company closed in 1965.
Development
Designed by Val PageVal Page
Valentine Page was a British motorcycle designer born in 1892. Described as Britain's greatest motorcycle designer, he worked for most of the leading marques, including Ariel, Triumph, and BSA. He died in 1978.-J.A Prestwich:...
and Bernard Knight, The Ariel Leader was a radical new concept with a 250cc two stroke engine suspended in a pressed 20 gauge steel 'backbone' frame, welded down the middle for strength. The fuel tank was hidden inside this structure and accessed by lifting the hinged dual seat. A dummy petrol tank was used for storage and was large enough to fit a spare crash helmet. It was the fully enclosed bodywork (first developed by Phil Vincent
Phil Vincent
Philip Conrad Vincent was a British motorcycle designer and manufacturer. Founder of Vincent Motorcycles, his designs influenced the development of motorcycles around the world.-Early life:...
for the innovative Vincent Black Prince
Vincent Black Prince
The Vincent Black Prince was a British motorcycle made between 1954 and 1955 by Vincent Motorcycles. A year before the factory closed in 1955, Vincent produced the enclosed range of Vincent Black Knight and Black Prince. Phil Vincent described it as a 'two-wheeled Bentley' and the enclosed Vincents...
) that was most prominent, as none of the working parts of the motorcycle were visible. As well as a full body, the Leader had a permanent windscreen and specially designed integral luggage 'panniers'. As well as the first flashing indicators on a British motorcycle other 'firsts' established by the Ariel Leader were a parking light and a clock build into a 'dashboard'.
The machine's engine was a copy of the pre-war German Adler design which was seized after WWII as part of war reparations in a similar way that the pre-war German DKW was used for the highly successful BSA Bantam range.