1953 VHA

Postby **jim.dumont** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:37 pm

HI I JUST BOUGHT A 1953 VHA BASKET CASE CAN ONLY FIND ONE PICTURE OF A VHA , ITS ALL BLUE EXCEPT FOR THE HEADLIGHT BUCKET, IS THAT CORRECT? I MISSING BOTH FENDERS & stays,the tool box and i dont think i have the right oil tank, the one i have, has slip on fittings . any one have pictures or knowledge of correct VHA. any one have the parts ? JIM DUMONT IN CINCINNATI OH USA

Postby **nevhunter** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 2:40 am

They're Wedgwood Blue , which is a very light colour and I thought the whole bike was blue. They run an ALLOY Barrel and Head. The one in the pic looks like iron for those items. Nev

Postby **david.anderson** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:51 am

According to Bacon the headlight should be black and the rest of the bike Wedgewood blue including wheel rim centres, with white lining to tank wheels and mudguards. I do know the black headlight is disputed by knowlegable old timers. the top end should be alloy with integral pushrod tunnels.The front brake plate should be chrome. Some 1953 VHAs at least were fitted with a dual seat. Sprung seat should be barrel type springs.
David

adrie.degraaff · Postby **adrie.degraaff** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:19 am

Photo's of my wife's VHA, wich is in the optional maroon (didn't like blue), the org. carb. is in a save place as are the rejected sadle springs.

The numberplate support on the 1953 should be of BSA, (the first signes of merge?).

Postby **nevhunter** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:50 pm

If you want my vote on the possibility of a "black" headlight, I would give it a vote as Unlikely. It just looks out of place. Put me amongst the "oldtimers". Wedgewood blue is a terrible colour to keep clean. Like white and cream it shows every grease smear. Maybe the VHA was supposed to be an answer to the BSA gold star. BSA was more interested in"sinking" the ARIEL brand than promoting it, at that point in time Nev

adrie.degraaff · Postby **adrie.degraaff** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 4:28 pm

The headlamp, horn, regulator and dinamo outside where black becouse they came from Lucas that way.

Postby **jim.dumont** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:59 pm

adrie thanks for pictures and information they'll be a great help. i think i'll go with the wedgewood blue paint scheme .but i don't think i can go with the black light bucket. i wanted to discus the oil tank more but i can't add pictures to this reply .so i'll start a new one jim