I previously rebuilt an Ariel Leader and after taking it to a show someone left a message on the bike saying they had an Ariel Arrow available for restoration. As I'd accumulated enough parts to complete an Arrow rebuild I thought I'd buy it and give it a go.
This time I thought I'd document the rebuild in case it helps someone else considering taking this on.
The steps in the rebuild process are based on following the Ariel Leader/Arrow Workshop Manual. The engine has already been rebuilt. The wheel hubs have been tidied, powder coated, and rebuilt with new stainless spokes and British Chrome rims.
The hubs should be black really but they are hardly seen on the bike as covered by the fork bottoms, brake plates and chain guard so I've had them done in the secondary colour that will be used on the bodywork.
Step One - Steering Lock Bracket
The first part fitted to the bike is the steering stop bracket. You will also see in the picture that a new bottom steering bearing cup has been fitted to the frame.
Requires:
2 x 1/4x1/2 UNF Bolts
2 x 1/4 UNF Nuts
4 x plain washers to fit bolts
2 x shakeproof washers
Step Two - Dummy Tank Brackets
The Arrow has a dummy fuel tank, the real fuel tank fits inside the pressed steel frame. To support the dummy tank there are 6 brackets that are fitted to bolt the dummy tank to.
Side brackets require:
4 x M6x12mm Roofing (Gutter) Bolts (I didn't have any Imperial bolts for the square nuts but these will work fine)
4 x Shakeproof Washers
4 x M6 Square Nuts
4 x 25mm Penny Washers
NOTE: there is a bracket (see first picture) for the Arrow which has two bolts placed at the correct distance to go through the holes and just attach with two nuts. If you don't have the proper bracket then I'd think two just using two bolts will suffice)
Front Top bracket requires:
2 x 1/4 UNF Nuts
2 x plain washers to fit bolts
2 x shakeproof washers
It's a good idea to trial fit the dummy tank and roughly get the brackets in their correct position before tightening up the bracket bolts.
Step Four - Fuel Tank
As mentioned this fits inside the frame. There is a bracket that attaches to the rear of the fuel tank. At the front is a pre-tapped bracket.
To mount Rear Fuel Tank Bracket to tank requires:
2 x 1/4x1/2 UNF Bolts
2 x shakeproof washers
To install the Fuel Tank into the frame requires:
3 x Fuel Tank Bolts 1/4 UNF that have a shank on them to allow for room fo rthe rubber washers
3 x Penny Washers to fit bolts
6 x Rubber Washers
2 x Flat Washers (for the rear two bolts)
2 x 1/4 UNF Nyloc Nuts
More to follow when I next get a parts delivery...
