Restoration guide – Ariel Colt

THE SPECIALIST

DraganflyMotorcycles was establishedmore than 40 years ago. Specialising in Ariel spares initially, it started – and continues – a policy of making anything that is no longer available, eventually making the most hopeless of restorations viable. Thanks for information within this guide go to one of Draganfly’s founding fathers, the now semiretired Roger Gwynn.

■ DraganflyMotorcycles, 01986 894798;

www.draganfly.co.uk

MODELHISTORY

Following the Second World War, Ariel resumed production with much of its prewar range. The company had passed into BSA ownership in 1944, but it was some time before the influence of the new owner became obvious.

One such change occurredwith the 1954 launch of the ‘Colt,’ reviving a 1930s 250ccmodel name, although the newcomer was 200cc. This was a capacity offering useful insurance and road tax breaks to the numerous commuters and novice riders who featured strongly among the potential buyers.

The Colt was a four-stroke, ohv single, fired by coil ignition, with transmission via a lightweight, four-speed Burman gearbox. The engine was adapted fromBSA’s long-established 250cc C11. The cycle parts of the bike was the combination of a pick‘n’mix of other BSA bits, but the rounded tank and the contrast colour dual seat were more familiar Ariel styling cues and contributed to the well-proportioned look.

Buyers thought so too and by 1955 the Colt had become Ariel’s best sellingmodel. While BSA continued to update its quarter-litre range, the Colt received only detail changes. In 1959, by then looking decidedly dated, the last of almost 10,000 Colts were dispatched from the factory inMarch of that year.

PRICING

ConsideraColt restoration as a stand-alone project, as it is no investment venture. Abasket case for a few hundred pounds will soon absorb themoney tomake total expenditure around £3000-£3500. Which is about right on the mark for a completely restored example.

IN CONCLUSION

When launched, the

Colt was pitched into a capacity class with endless permutations onmainly Villiers powered two-strokes. The Colt (and the Tiger

Cub) were rare four-stroke alternatives. For those who preferred oil and fuel in separate tanks, the slightly higher price was worth paying.

In such a highly competitive market, manufacturers were quick to adapt to fashion or offer genuine improvements, but Ariel failed to capitalise on its initial success. Possible buyers soon noted the lack of development and sales fell away. By 1958 the launch of the Leader appeared, perhaps offering a reason for Ariel’s preoccupation.

At around 2%, Colt survival rate is poor so projects are not easily found, but they should be reasonably pricedwhen they do turn up. Conversely, gearboxes aside, parts availability is good and it means that restoration can keep moving forward rather than marking timewaiting for some obscure part to turn up on the internet.

The C11 that inspired the Colt was already well established and that imbued the smallermodel with similar reliability, albeit with moremodest performance. That dated suspension system delivers better than might be expected, making riding a Colt an interesting back roads hack – in every sense of the term!