The Ariel VH 500 Red Hunter is a motorcycle that was produced between 1932 and 1959. Its engine is a four-stroke, single-cylinder, OHV, 2-valve, with a capacity of 497cc/30.3 cubic inches. The bike has a high-set dual port exhaust and carburetor, large bore down draught Amal induction. The ignition is a magnet/flywheel and the bike runs on a 6-volt battery with a dry sump lubrication system and a dual plunger pump. The bike has a 4-speed transmission and a maximum power output of 17.9 kW / 24hp @ 6000rpm. The frame is a semi-double cradle, with grider front forks and either a rigid, spring-loaded saddle or dual shocks in later models. The bike has drum brakes on both the front and rear wheels and steel, laced wire spoke wheels with a front rim size of 3.00 x 20 and a rear rim size of 3.25 x 19. The dimensions of the bike are 2180mm (length) and 640mm (width) with a dry weight of 190kg/418lbs and a fuel capacity of 14.8L/3.9US gallons. The Red Hunter comes in chrome and red with gold linings and can reach a top speed of 140km/h / 87mph. The bike can brake from 25mph/40km/h to a stop in 7.3m/24ft and can reach 0-60mph/97km/h in 10.9 seconds.
Technical specifications:
Make Model: Ariel VH 500 Red Hunter
| Year | 1932 – 59 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Four stroke, stroke, single cylinder, OHV, 2-valves |
| Capacity | 497 cc / 30.3 cu in |
| Bore x Stroke | 86.4 x 85 mm (after 1936: 81.8 x 95) |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Compression Ratio | 6.0:1 (after 1954: 6.8:1) |
| Lubrication | Dry sump with dual plunger pumps |
| Oil Capacity | 3.4 L / 0.9 US gal |
| Exhaust | High-set dual port exhaust |
| Induction | Carburetor, large bore down draught Amal |
| Ignition | Magnet/flywheel |
| Battery | 6V |
| Starting | Kick start |
| Max Power | 17.9 kW / 24 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-Speed |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| Frame | Semi double cradle |
| Front Suspension | Grider front forks |
| Rear Suspension | Rigid, springloaded saddle (after 1954: dual shocks) |
| Front Brakes | Drum |
| Rear Brakes | Drum |
| Wheels | Steel, laced wire spokes |
| Front Rim | 3.00 x 20 |
| Rear Rim | 3.25 x 19 |
| Dimensions | Length: 2180 mm / 85.8 in Width: 640 mm / 25.2 in |
| Dry Weight | 190 kg / 418 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 14.8 L / 3.9 US gal |
| Braking 25 mph / 40 km/h – 0 | 7.3 m / 24 ft |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph / 97 km/h | 10.9 sec |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h / 87 mph |
| Colours | Chrome and red with gold linings |
