Fettling A FOUR

My favourite uncle had an Ariel Square Four in the early 1950s. He used to sit me on the tank, driving round Gloucestershire at high speed. So when a 1955 model came up for auction in 1992, I had to have it. Since then it has been well used, and with my wife as pillion we have had seven continental trips and covered many thousands of miles. Over the years the engine has been rebuilt and many minor things have been improved to suit me – including indicators and a 2ls front brake for safety, a 12V alternator for better lighting and to power heated grips, and a satnav for navigation (especially useful in foreign cities).

A while ago someone called the wiring a mess, and that has niggled ever since, although it all worked. I