RealClassic ARIEL HUNTMASTER
PART THE LAST
A front mudguard with the basic shape was found, probably from a similar era of motorcycle if not an Ariel.The very characteristic back tube support / front stand was missing. This was made from a piece of pipe, with the ends forged flat using the end of a spanner to get the characteristic blending. I decided not to go for the front stays that is sometimes seen on Ariels and followed an illustration from a period advert instead. With the centre and back brace the mudguard is more than stiff enough and the brackets were specifically made for the bike, so they hug the wheel centrally.
Incredibly I managed to find the correct back mudguard for the Ariel, and with a little clean-up and knocking the odd dent out it fitted perfectly. Nothing more than a good coat of paint was then needed.
The frontbeating this cowl to a shape that I was happy with and would paint nicely required considerable patience, and a number of home-made panel beating tools, to coax the correct shape out of the damaged metal. The tear visible at the top was left until the end to take up the inevitable stretch of the material. This was neatly brazed and filed flush.
