This Ariel Motorcycles got away, but there are more like it here.

1956 Ariel VH 500 Red Hunter

Sold for $5,500 on 1/13/23

This 1956 Ariel VH 500 Red Hunter was first sold by W.E. Humphreys Motorcycle Specialists of London, England, was imported to the US under prior ownership, and was acquired by the seller in 2019. Finished in maroon, the motorcycle is powered by a 497cc four-stroke single paired with a four-speed gearbox. Equipment includes a two-up seat, a steering damper, a kick starter, a shrouded fork, wire-spoke wheels, fuel tank knee grips, front and rear number plates, and both center and side stands. Recommissioning work performed under current ownership included changing the oil, cleaning the carburetor, and adjusting the timing, points, and valves. This Red Hunter is now offered with a repair manual, period UK registration documents, and a clean Florida title in the seller’s name.

The bike is finished in maroon with yellow, black, and chrome Ariel badges. Equipment includes a two-up seat, a bright mirror, a steering damper, a headlight, a taillight, rubber knee grips on the 3.9-gallon fuel tank, front and rear English number plates, and both center and side stands. Photos showing paint chips, scratches, and areas of fading paint can be viewed in the gallery.

Wire-spoke wheels wear a Cheng Shin front tire and a Dunlop Gold Seal K70 rear tire, both of which have visible sidewall cracks. Suspension consists of a shrouded fork as well as twin shrouded shocks mounted to the swingarm. Stopping power is provided by drums at both ends.

The dashboard contains a Smiths 120-mph speedometer, a Lucas amperage gauge, and a headlight switch. The five-digit odometer shows 5k miles, a few of which were added by the seller.

The 497cc four-stroke single is equipped with a kick starter and an exhaust system that exits on the right side of the bike, and factory-rated output was 24 horsepower. Work performed in preparation for sale is said to have included cleaning the carburetor, changing the oil, and adjusting the timing, points, and valves.

The engine stamping AMB1095 is shown above. A photo of the frame number, PR3957, can be viewed in the gallery below.

Power is sent to the rear wheel through a four-speed gearbox with right-side shifting as well as a drive chain.

A repair manual will accompany the bike along with period UK registration documents.

Photo Gallery

Auction Result

Winning Bid	USD $5,500 by Anonymous57
Auction Ended	January 13, 2023 at 11:10AM PT
Bids	10

5,833 views

352 watchers

You are not connected to real-time updates. Attempting to connect.

Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished.

Reconnected! Checking for missed updates…