Ariel Leader
Bikes
Ariel Leader
The Ariel Leader first appeared in July 1958.
The Leader and Arrow (introduced in 1960) both use a pressed steel box chassis and bodywork and have a 250cc Villiers 2t engine.
The only other new post-war design of that type was on the Velocette LE.
As would be expected, for police work, a larger battery is fitted for the radio gear.
Production stopped from the beginning of 1966.
BASIC SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Villiers 2T Twin Cylinder two-stroke
Bore 54mm, Stroke 54mm Capacity 249cc
Compression 8.25:1
Coil ignition. Lucas RM13/15 alternator (later RM18)
Carb Amal Monoblock 375
2.5 gallon fuel tank. Weight 300Lbs. (or 330 Lbs with all the accessories)
Power output 16BHP @6400 RPM, later 17.5 @ 6750
Top speed 75MPH, later 80MPH.
Later varients had a better cylinder head.
Over time, the factory colour scheme was a variety of Ivory, Admiralty Grey and black.
From 1963, Cherokee red was added to the colour list.
Police models seem to have differed from this scheme, making dating difficult.
The radio goes in the dummy tank, with the control unit on top of the dummy tank.
Note the front indicator lenses. These were sometimes used on early Triumph fairings
Ariel Leader 545FWA
ex-police Ariel Leader 545FWA
