Description
A well-documented and sympathetically restored 1964 Ariel Leader TS1, one of approximately 22, 000 produced during the model's seven-year production run from 1958 to 1965. This example was originally despatched from the Ariel factory on 28th September 1964 — recorded in the Works Despatch Book under Tab No. 352, Consignment 847 — to its first owner. Frame No. T34715/ B and Engine No. T34714/ B have been independently inspected and verified by the Ariel Owners M. C. C. Machine Registrar as genuine matching period components, confirmed against the original factory records and endorsed by the DVLA in January 2024. The Leader was a technically adventurous design — fully enclosed, with an integral windscreen, trailing-link front fork, pressed-steel monocoque chassis and the distinction of being the first British motorcycle to offer optional flashing indicators. It won the Motor Cycle News Motorcycle of the Year award in 1959 and was widely adopted by UK police forces, who valued its weather protection and enclosed drivetrain for patrol duties. The motorcycle has undergone a comprehensive, high-standard restoration and is presented in excellent condition with full provenance documentation including an official Ariel Owners M. C. C. Dating Certificate and current V5C.
Provenance & Documentation
The following documentation accompanies this vehicle:
• V5C Registration Document (ref: the details below) — engine and frame numbers confirmed present. Historic Vehicle, exempt taxation class.
• Ariel Owners M. C. C. Dating Certificate — issued 7th January 2024, stamped by DVLA 26th January 2024. Confirms year of manufacture as 1964 from the Ariel Works Despatch Book (Tab No. 352, Consignment 847, despatched 28/ 9/ 64).
• Frame No. T34715/ B and Engine No. T34714/ B independently verified on 4th January 2024 as genuine period components over 25 years old and of original specification — confirmed as a true reflection of the marque.
• Detailed parts ledger covering the full restoration (2014–2016), recording all suppliers, part numbers, quantities and costs across three pages of itemised purchases.
Restoration Summary
The motorcycle was subject to a thorough restoration carried out between 2014 and 2016. The work was meticulous, encompassing all major mechanical, electrical and cosmetic systems. Key elements of the restoration included:
• Engine & Drivetrain: Oil seal, crank seals, comm seals, kick start spindle, swinging arm washer, main bearings, gear change O-rings, chainmaster bolts, UNF nuts and associated hardware. Needle start kit supplied by AMAL.
• Electrics & Lighting: 6v and 12v batteries, dip switch, bulbs, stop switch, pilot, horn, reflector and headlight unit. Speedometer cable replaced.
• Tyres & Wheels: Michelin 3. 25x16 tyres, Michelin tubes, rim tapes. Period-correct walnut tyre trims fitted.
• Bodywork & Panels: Red and white aerosol repaint, aqua-blast sandblasting, rubber corner pieces, windscreen bending, legshield rubber, knee grip rubbers, mudguard rubbers and foot rest rubbers.
• Frame & Suspension: Front brake plate (Cambridge), front brake cable, fork bottom covers, cylinder studs, captive nuts, fork O-rings, captive nuts and gear change rubbers.
• Filtration & Carburettor: Air filter and associated rubbers replaced.
• Finish & Detailing: Chrome bolts (tailsection), badges, grommets, rubber seals and various period-correct fittings throughout. Chroming carried out on multiple components.
The complete parts ledger, including supplier names, part numbers and individual costs, is available for inspection upon request. The Ariel Leader was a revolutionary and technically adventurous enclosed two-stroke twin produced from 1958 to 1965. Designed by Val Page, the Leader featured a pressed-steel chassis with full weather protection — an approach quite unlike anything else in the British motorcycle industry at the time. Only a relatively small number were built across the full production run, and survivors in restored condition with matching numbers and independently verified provenance are increasingly scarce.
