Not a bad day, as bike stripping goes! After reading the web on anything relating to the Ariel Arrow, I discovered one crucial thing to check. Apparently a front end collision can cause the bodywork around the headstock to buckle. The way to check this is to measure the distance between the front mudguard and the engine at their closest point. The space should measure 2.5 inches (63.5mm). Bearing in mind the wobble that I felt when I first rode it yesterday I was worried that this might be a problem. However the tape measure revealed a healthy 2.5 inches so that was panic over.
After removing the loose silencers again, I set about removing the seat. Not too difficult this just two strange sideways opening hinges and a fabric strap and it was off. However removing the dummy tank requires a lot more effort as the handlebars, including the handlebar yoke has to be removed and the headlight, which is full of lots of wiring. Also the tool tray inside the dummy tank and the clutch and front brake cables that pass through it and finally the fixing bolts. After all that the tank lifts off to reveal a surprise hiding underneath.
At some point in the bikes history someone has fitted electronic ignition and a 12v electronic voltage regulator. Fairly good news I thought, at first. The voltage regulator was bolted to the chassis but the electronic ignition was held in place with BlueTac and a cable tie!
Next to be removed was the rear mudguard, chain guard, back wheel and final drive chain. These were closely followed by the inner rear mudguard and the shock absorbers.
The next task was the right side chrome cover, but in order to remove this the exhaust pipes have to come off first. These are held into the cylinder with threaded bushes with notches around the edges. These were in such bad condition, someone had tightened them by hitting them around with a drift of some kind, that I had no worries about hitting them again to loosen them. They will need replacing anyway.
With the exhaust pipes off and the footrests, the chrome cover could be removed to reveal the clutch mechanism and the carburetor (air hose hanging off).
I then decided to remove the wiring loom and this involved investigating the ignition cover on the left hand side, It was then that I noticed a strange spacer between the engine and the cover. It was painted silver but did not appear to be metal. After removing the cover all was revealed.
It was in fact "chipboard" and surrounded the electronic ignition pick-up circuit board that replace the points. I am now undecided whether to revert this bike back to original points ignition or make a proper aluminium spacer.
Finally I drained and removed the petrol tank that hides inside the frame and slides out from the back and reveals the cavernous interior of the frame.
So that's it for the first day. More follows as the engine and gear box are removed and finally the front forks are stripped. Then it will be off to the painters for shot blasting and a new coat of paint.
Copyright K. Hopcroft 20.01.14 All rights reserved
You can contact me on: hopcroftscoot@gmail.com
My other Blogs:
1961 BSA A10 Super Rocket Motorcycle:
https://60sclassicmotorbikes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/before.html
Miniature Land Rover Defender:
http://miniaturelandrover.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/1-miniature-land-rover-defender-idea.html
1971 VW Karmann Ghia Convertible Car:
http://karmannghiarestoration.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/1-karmann-ghia-retoration-project.html
Motorcycle Trailers / Caravans:
http://motorcycletrailersandcaravans.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/1-motorcycle-trailers-problem.html
After removing the loose silencers again, I set about removing the seat. Not too difficult this just two strange sideways opening hinges and a fabric strap and it was off. However removing the dummy tank requires a lot more effort as the handlebars, including the handlebar yoke has to be removed and the headlight, which is full of lots of wiring. Also the tool tray inside the dummy tank and the clutch and front brake cables that pass through it and finally the fixing bolts. After all that the tank lifts off to reveal a surprise hiding underneath.
Next to be removed was the rear mudguard, chain guard, back wheel and final drive chain. These were closely followed by the inner rear mudguard and the shock absorbers.
The next task was the right side chrome cover, but in order to remove this the exhaust pipes have to come off first. These are held into the cylinder with threaded bushes with notches around the edges. These were in such bad condition, someone had tightened them by hitting them around with a drift of some kind, that I had no worries about hitting them again to loosen them. They will need replacing anyway.
With the exhaust pipes off and the footrests, the chrome cover could be removed to reveal the clutch mechanism and the carburetor (air hose hanging off).I then decided to remove the wiring loom and this involved investigating the ignition cover on the left hand side, It was then that I noticed a strange spacer between the engine and the cover. It was painted silver but did not appear to be metal. After removing the cover all was revealed.
It was in fact "chipboard" and surrounded the electronic ignition pick-up circuit board that replace the points. I am now undecided whether to revert this bike back to original points ignition or make a proper aluminium spacer.
Finally I drained and removed the petrol tank that hides inside the frame and slides out from the back and reveals the cavernous interior of the frame.
So that's it for the first day. More follows as the engine and gear box are removed and finally the front forks are stripped. Then it will be off to the painters for shot blasting and a new coat of paint. 
Copyright K. Hopcroft 20.01.14 All rights reserved
You can contact me on: hopcroftscoot@gmail.com
My other Blogs:
1961 BSA A10 Super Rocket Motorcycle:
https://60sclassicmotorbikes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/before.html
Miniature Land Rover Defender:
http://miniaturelandrover.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/1-miniature-land-rover-defender-idea.html
1971 VW Karmann Ghia Convertible Car:
http://karmannghiarestoration.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/1-karmann-ghia-retoration-project.html
Motorcycle Trailers / Caravans:
http://motorcycletrailersandcaravans.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/1-motorcycle-trailers-problem.html
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