I have "fettled" a few Altette horns and the vibrating plate is not flat, but pressed slightly into a crimped double disc, to allow it to vibrate. Will be interested to hear how it sounds or not? You may have to not totally tighten the case screws to give it freedom to vibrate and operate ...

I always true the wheel first ie. make it round and run true. Then if I know the offset measurement, I will do that also in my jig, or alternatively fit the trued wheel into the bike and move the rim right or left, to suit the centre line of the machine coming from the headstock. With a rear wheel I...

I hope I am dealing with the same 8 inch BSA single sided front brake. If I am I can help as Central Wheel Components have always supplied a couple of spares when ordering a set of spokes and I have them here in front of me to measure for you. First lets check we are talking about the same brake. I ...

Try RENOVATION SPARES - mudguard specialist. Advertises in Old Bike Mart. I used them for some plain c - section in steel and they were fine. Telephone 07976695435. 13 The Meadway, Redditch, B97 5AB.

I have now done about 350 miles on my rebuilt 1947 4G finished some months ago. Most of the mileage has been done on steady runs of about 20 miles to bed in the newly built engine. On the last three runs the engine has begun to misfire badly after about 15 miles, especially at lower revs, leading to...

I met exactly the same problem with my 1947 rigid teles 4G. I found that if I fitted the big kink to the right and small to left, the right exhaust fouled the rear stand and left badly fouled the clutch cover. I, in the end fitted big kink left and small right. That way the left exhaust just touches...

I was given details of this from a pal`s "Roadholder" (Norton) magazine, because I have this job to face shortly, in order to remove an old tank lining, clean and re seal. My Square Four panel tank was restored long before my acquisition and modern petrol used since commissioning is causin...

A "Jiffy" is a sidestand, i don't know who Jiffy is, maybe a sister of "Dicky"(seat) :D . OK I fell in for that one, reminds me of being an apprentice mechanic a (long) while ago and being sent for a "long stand" - fell for that too. However I would be interested in si...

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the "Jiffy" stand, could it be made to fit my rigid 4G? I am finding the rear stand a bit of a worry every time I stop and eventually I can see the bike being dropped! Any pictures and who stocks the "Jiffy"?

Thanks everyone, being my first Ariel, I am a little reassured now, however I think the noise of mine is not a good experience and if better gears were available then I would put them on. Other than that a good ride, if I can stop trying for a fifth gear. Might eventually look at some taller gearing.