Відео

Thank you, it certainly is, and glad you liked the video.

@ckschroed difficult to get the balance right. If I angle the camera down another notch, the road may disappear. I will try though🙂

The original dual seat was badly torn but the seat base was almost perfect. I sent that to R.K.Leighton in Birmingham to be powder coated and recovered exactly as original. Very comfortable and looks perfect.

@@michaellizbrown1865 It looks super. LE's are one of my favourites. Thanks for replying.

@@clangerbasher your welcome. I have other videos of the LE on my channel too.

@@michaellizbrown1865 Yes I have a had a quick browse.

Thanks again Richard, glad you are enjoying the videos.

Thank you Richard

Yes indeed, and the first entry in the buff log book.

Thank you Karl

So glad you enjoyed the video. As well as the LE, I have a 1960 Ariel Leader and a 1942 Ariel W/NG

@@michaellizbrown1865 I’ve never owned or ridden a Leader, but I’ve always thought that one would make an excellent lightweight tourer. My last bike was a 1948 Ariel VB, but I sold it to buy the KSS. I owned a 1938 KSS in 1968, when I was 18, and it was so memorable that I wanted another before I’m too old and feeble to ride.

@@michaellizbrown1865 The algorithm showed me your Hawling video. I’ve now found your channel, and I shall enjoy watching the rest of your videos!

Really pleased you have found the channel Neil. I enjoy making the videos (although they are not very professional), for my own consumption, but to have positive comments like yours just makes it all the more worthwhile. Thank you so much. Consider subscribing if you haven't already done so as I am always posting new ones during the riding year. VMCC events, riding videos are all on here.

Thanks 😊

Thank you very much

Glad you enjoyed it. Pleased it brought back good memories too.

Interesting, but I'm not sure about that..........lol

They are very comfortable machines to ride

Definitely underrated John!

Do you still have one?

Mine is a MK3 and I think has shell big end bearings. Is yours still roller big end then? If the engine was apart and cleaned thoroughly many in the group are using 20:50 Multigrade. But i was always of the opinion roller big ends need a Monograde. However in my case I haven't had everything apart so chose a monograde which will limit the possibilty of lifting dirt and transporting around the system. Most Multigrades have detergent additives which could spell disaster................lol

I have already been on 40 mile runs John......lol. Have you rebuilt the engine or are you just recommisioning it? If its just getting it going after a long lay off it would prudent to drop the sump and clean it out. If it has an external oil filter change that too. Once running, change the engine oil after the first 100 miles. The gearbox and back axle oils change after 500 initially. You can pm on messenger if you want to keep in touch.

They are very quiet Phil and surprisingly brisk.

Thanks Phil

Yes, you do, but only if you are on a timed run. Those going straight past were simply following the route with no stops.

Hi John, I absolutely love it. I have only just recommissioned it so have only done 246 miles to date, but after around 20 shakedown miles I am now confident enough to take it on 40 mile runs up in the hills. Lovely to ride. Gearbox and Rear Axle Oils are Castrol GP50, straight SAE 50 Monograde, and in the Engine I am using Castrol XL30, straight SAE 30 Monograde.

Thank you

It really is the ideal machine for traversing the country roads, silently and in comfort. Very nimble too.

It certainly is. Intoxicating!

Thank you Paul, glad you enjoyed it

You're very welcome. Next best thing to riding the Banbury is marshalling the Banbury.

Thanks, they are special

It's the perfect ride for the country lanes. So quiet 🤫 doesn't scare the wildlife!

Good idea re side panel screws

Hi Michael, sorry I am so late with a reply, but your vid has only just arrived on my screen. When I was 25 I used to comute from Bexley To Hatton Garden where I was a silversmith. At that time I had a Leader and as Rob has said it was not too good at stopping, rear brake ok, front brake no good. I changed jobs when I was 29 and eventually ended my career With the Ford Motor Co as a design engineer for 30 yrs and in that vane I have often wondered about the Leader front brake. Over the years I had 2 Leaders and a Golden Arrow,all with the same problem. When going for a MOT, I had to hold 2 hands on the brake for it to pass. It has often got me wondering, could it be that when the trailing link front suspension under braking, unwinds the brake so that it does not work as it should Sorry that was long winded wish you well on your Leader Travels. Alan

@@alanjarman9855 Hi Alan, the front is poor but you learn to ride accordingly. Thanks for your comments.

Thank you, Jonathan? Apple Juice at the Old Prison and biscuits when I got home.🙂

Thank you. It turned out well, I think

Thank you

@@michaellizbrown1865 sorry Michael did forget to ask did you restore it yourself, if so it's a credit to you it's lovely, I've seen two arrows & one leader along with a vellocette police bike, in a barn and all look reasonable condition, I wish I could get my grubby little hands on them 😊😊

@@trevorford9432 Hi Trevor. Yes, I restored the Leader from a pretty poor state in 1995. Put it in the loft to bring down and assemble when I retired in 2017. I have just restored a non runner 1963 LE Velocette in August, also on my channel. Take a look.

Nothing better for cold temperatures Jonathan 🌡

Intoxicating isn't it?

@@michaellizbrown1865 better than any French perfume 😜

Eau de Leader!

I know what you mean🙂

Compared with most machines, they are fairly quiet as they have a car type exhaust silencer box, but they do have a nice sound nevertheless. Check out the later videos to hear the sound at idling speed.

Thank you, it does sound good

Thank you

It had a remarkable engine. Like a turbine

My brother had one use to blow a lot blue smoke out no smoke with that one

Whats top speed will it do

@davidrobert1855 I run my Leader and Arrow on Comma Mineral 2T at 36:1 ratio and they will smoke for the first 10 miles or so then all clear. I think these modern oils are low ash and much improved on the sixties oils.

@davidrobert1855 I have never taken it to maximum throttle opening, but it's very comfortable at 50 mph on about 1/3 throttle. So probably would do 70 quite easily. However I was always brought up with the maxim that never exceed 60% of its maximum speed when new. That way you shouldn't break anything.😉

Its the original seat recovered with new sponge by R.K. Leighton. They shot blasted and powder coated the base although it was in very good condition.

Thanks

@@michaellizbrown1865 Thinking about buying one myself . any tips what to watch out for ? and if maintained are they are good enough bike to use as a daily runner ? also. how far will a tank of petrol take you ?

I'll start by saying first, I am not an expert however the consensus of opinion suggests the later MK3 is the one to buy as they have a four speed gearbox, foot change and kick starting. By this time post 1958, the engine had evolved and was well sorted too. Certainly good enough for daily transport but a top speed of 55 means a leisurely ride. If you are in no hurry, fine. The later ones hold just over 1.6 gallons in their tank which at 90 to the gallon gives a range of around 150 miles. Lovely machine to ride though, such a sweet sounding bike. Mike

Yes, I know what you mean. Intoxicating though.

Quite a common mod in the day. A Bleader they were called, or in your case a Barrrow.

I bet that was “exciting” to ride !

Hi Phil, I have the side panels but I quite like the look of the bike without them too.

Thank you Paul, how is yours coming along?

Thank you. We do have some steep hills too

There you go then Paul, go for it.

Thanks LE Bear, very pleased with the way it went.

Thank you