Ariel VH 500 Red Hunter (1932-59)

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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

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