Ariel Leader
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This bike is part of our Biker Tribes feature, a planned special exhibition launching at the Science Museum during 2010. Your contributions to this page may be used in the exhibition. Explore all the motorbikes.
| Ariel Leader motorcycle | |
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| Manufacturer | B.S.A. Motor Cycles Ltd |
| Production years | 1958-1965 |
| Production location | Birmingham |
The Leader was a novel venture for designer Val Page and a Birmingham firm which had traditionally built solid four-stroke motorcycles. It has a 250 cc twin-cylinder two-stroke engine. Its 70 mph top speed was reckoned to be fast for a '250' when introduced in 1958.
Construction of the Leader was unconventional, the frame being welded up 'car style' from sheet steel pressings. Front suspension is by trailing links inside the front fork housings - one of several post Second World War attempts to improve on the performance of the then almost universal telescopic fork.
Ariel also produced a version with 'naked' engine, the Arrow, which in 'super-sports' form could touch 80 mph. Production of the Leader and Arrow ceased in 1965.
[edit] Memories
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[edit] In the Science Museum's Records
Inv: 1963-323 Source: B.S.A. Motor Cycles Ltd