Motorcycle shops in 70's Sheffield

[hillsbro]

Mossdog Correct me if I am wrong,but I always thought that ARIEL produced the Red Hunter and the Square 4.

 

Yes indeed – here’s a Red Hunter:

 

http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Ariel%20Bikes/images/Ariel-Red-Hunter-NH-350-57.jpg

 

and here’s a Square 4:

 

http://www.partsmag.com/0509/House-Of-Kolor-0509/Jon-1959.jpg

 

Ariels were fine bikes. My uncle had an early Square 4; he told me that when flat-out for a long run, the back two cylinders would sometimes glow red hot as they didn't get enough air-cooling. I was always sceptical about this (he could tell a tale or two...) but maybe it was right.

[milted]

But this Red Hunter looks a bit different to mine. Of course,I did'nt have Teliscopic front forks,or a sprung frame,or hub brakes or a fancy chain guard. I don't think they had been invented then(1939) but it was a RED Hunter The Square 4 kept oiling the plugs up Such fun

[biker]

Hey!! What about Vernon Bentleys on Abbeydale road ....Greeves specialists! Anyone remember "Mayfields " scramble track,( Sheffield and Hallamshire)at Ringinglow .Greenmoor at Wortley,West Knab at High Bradfield?

What about "Leather and Simpson's where I bought my first ex works AJS 500 Red Hunter,trials(ex Wilf Couldwell).Incidentally my uncle ,long time in New Zealand( ex Sheffield North End Club)still rides his 1949,AJS 350,that he first took to NZ(his mother(Janet Wood) once ran the Rivelin Hotel and latterly the Crown and Glove ,Stannington.Bernard Farrelly is the name for anyone old enough to remember!

 

I went to Bentleys in about 1974 for some parts for my Greeves and the youth serving said "whats a Greeves"

[hillsbro]

But this Red Hunter looks a bit different to mine. Of course,I did'nt have Teliscopic front forks,or a sprung frame,or hub brakes or a fancy chain guard. I don't think they had been invented then(1939) but it was a RED Hunter The Square 4 kept oiling the plugs up Such fun

 

This one's a bit older:

 

http://www.agrino.org/motormuseum/studio/ARIEL_DSF2544_watermark.jpg

 

They were lovely bikes. But my most memorable "old days" ride was on the pillion of my uncle's huge Square 4. They don't make bikes like that any more.

[terminator]

I went to Bentleys in about 1974 for some parts for my Greeves and the youth serving said "whats a Greeves"

Think i just started work there then think i might know who you mean we used to ask him for a left and right spark plug wont say what he did might be on forum but he did read each packet.

[mossdog]

Mossdog Correct me if I am wrong,but I always thought that ARIEL produced the Red Hunter and the Square 4. Remember "pride and Clarks" Red Panther.price £29 17 6. as advertised in Motor Cycle,and the P and M sloper ,with the green tank lovely looking bike Happy days

Hey! sorry....definately a senior moment. Of course you are right Red Hunters were "Ariel "produced at "Selly Oak" Birmingham ,sorry about that.

OK quiz people does anyone remember where, "Greeves" "Matchless" "Dot" "James" and "Francis Barnett" were produced?....................without looking on the net!!

[carsupplier]

If the bikes had Villiers engines, the engines were made in Wolverhampton, don't know where the bikes were assembled though.

Have I won a prize?

[mossdog]

If the bikes had Villiers engines, the engines were made in Wolverhampton, don't know where the bikes were assembled though.

Have I won a prize?

There was only one that did not use a villiers engine..............Which one? the correct answer will get you a ticket to the next stage!

[carsupplier]

I would say 'Matchless'

[biker]

Hey! sorry....definately a senior moment. Of course you are right Red Hunters were "Ariel "produced at "Selly Oak" Birmingham ,sorry about that.

OK quiz people does anyone remember where, "Greeves" "Matchless" "Dot" "James" and "Francis Barnett" were produced?....................without looking on the net!!

 

Greeves were made at Thundersley in Essex ,DOT (devoid of trouble) were made at Manchester,James and Fanny Barnett probably Birmingham,Matchless (AMC) I think was London.