Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tuesday 25th March from 1pm
Auction: Wednesday 26th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1960 Ariel/ Airton 1000 Special
Mark 1 Square 4 in a Featherbed frame
Estimate
£5, 500 - £6, 500
Registration No: 5276 CR
Frame No: R14 89328
MOT: Exempt
Unusual special built by Bert Bliss in the 1980s
c1960 Featherbed chassis/ c1949 Square 4 engine
Improved 'Dragonfly' head gasket, supplied with a V5C
There has always been a great tradition amongst motorcyclists for building one off specials, marrying together the frame and rolling chassis of one bike with the engine donated by another. Sometimes bourne out of necessity after an engine blow up or damage to the frame, it has created some fascinating combinations with some equally inventive names. The basis for most specials is normally the legendary Norton Featherbed frame with the Triton being the most obvious example of this very British trend. A more unusual combination is to squeeze an Ariel Square Four motor into a Featherbed to build a rare and unusual bike, combining the two names of the donor bikes to create an Arton. In the 1970s the Healey brothers manufactured a small run of similar Healey 1000/ 4 models with parts bought from the bankrupt Ariel factory.
This 'Bliss Arton' was built to a very professional standard in the 1980s by Bert Bliss using a slimline Featherbed frame from a Dominator 99 and a c1949 Mark 1 Square 4 1000cc engine. The frame tubes had to be extended to allow the longer engine and gearbox to be fitted together with alloy rims, TLS front brake and a broad but attractive mix of cycle parts. The primary drive gearing has been raised by 10% to give a more comfortable cruising speed, a new clutch basket fitted and the notoriously weak head gasket has been replaced with an improved version from Dragonfly Motorcycles. Owned and ridden by the vendor for the last 10 years he reports it has been a 'fun ride, more touring by nature'. It comes supplied with a current V5C.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
