Ariel Square Four

The Square Four is a motorcycle produced by Ariel between 1931 and 1959, designed by Edward Turner, who devised the Square Four engine in 1928. At this time he was looking for work, showing drawings of his engine design to motorcycle manufacturers.[5] The early engine with "two transverse crankshafts"[2] was essentially a pair of 'across frame' OHC parallel twins joined by their geared central flywheels, with a four-cylinder block (or Monobloc) and single head.[6] The idea for the engine was rejected by BSA, but adopted by Ariel. Thus it became the Ariel Square Four.

Ariel Square Four
ManufacturerAriel Motors Ltd, Bournbrook, Birmingham
Also called'Squariel'[1][2]
Production1931–1959
Engine997 cc (60.8 cu in), 4-stroke, square four, air-cooled, OHV, 8-valve, SU MC2 carburettor[3]
Power40 bhp (30 kW) @ 5,800 rpm[1]
Transmission4-speed manual gearbox to chain final drive
Frame typeTubular single loop[4]
BrakesDrums, 7 inch front, 8 inch rear
Tyres3.25 x 19 inch front, 4.00 x 18 inch rear
Wheelbase1.422 m (4 ft 8.0 in)
DimensionsL: 82 in (2,100 mm)
Weight425 lb (193 kg)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity5 imp gal (23 L; 6.0 US gal)

In 1966 Phil Vincent wrote in Motor Cycle: "Alas, in 1959 the Square Four went out of production, a victim of the modern trend towards small, high-revving modern power units. The demand had tailed off a bit, and with reduced output, the price would have had to be hoisted excessively high. At the time it was approaching £350—out of reach of all but a few of the potential buyers."[2]

A further development was the Healey 1000/4 based on an updated Square Four, produced between 1971 and 1977.

4F (1931–1936)
Ariel Square Four 600 cc 1935 (at the National Motorcycle Museum (UK)

The first Ariel Square Four 4F was shown at the Olympia Motorcycle Show in 1930,[7] in chain driven overhead-camshaft 500 cc form.[8] Early Square Fours used a hand-change, four-speed Burman gearbox.[6]

In 1932, the cylinder bores were enlarged by 5 mm to give a capacity of 601 cc, specifically to accommodate owners who wanted a sidecar.[9] This model was used for the Maudes Trophy test, covering 700 miles (1,127 km) in 700 minutes, followed by a timed lap of 87.4 mph (140.7 km/h). (In 1923 a Mr George Pettyt, of Maudes Motor Mart, had donated a "challenge trophy" for the ACU to award each year for the most meritorious, observed endurance test for motorcycles, known as the Maudes Trophy).[10]

4G (1936–1949)
Ariel Square Four 4G 1938

The "Cammy" engine gained a reputation for overheating the rear cylinder heads, so in 1936 the engine was completely redesigned, emerging as the 1937 OHV 995 cc model 4G.[5] In 1939 Ariel's patented Anstey-link plunger rear suspension became an option.[8]

In 1946, the plunger rear was available again, and oil damped telescopic front forks replaced the previous girder type.[8]

Mark I (1949–1953)
Two-pipe alloy engine

In 1949, the Ariel Square Four Mark I saw the cast-iron cylinder head and barrel replaced by the alloy head and barrel.[8] This saved about 30 pounds (14 kg) in weight. The 1949 machine weighed around 435 lb (197 kg) dry, produced 35 bhp (26 kW) at 5,500 rpm.[6] The Mark I was capable of 90 mph-plus.

Mark II (1953–1959)
MkII upper engine detail showing bolt-on cast aluminium exhaust manifolds, high-mounted carburettor with high inlet stub cast into the rocker box, and the rear-mounted distributor

In 1953, the 'four pipe' 997 cc Ariel Square Four Mk II was released, with separate barrels, a re-designed cylinder head with four separate exhaust pipes from two cast-aluminium manifolds and a rocker-box combined with the inlet manifold. A redesigned frame provided clearance for the high-mounted, tall, car-type, SU carburettor.[2][3][7] This 40 hp (30 kW) Square Four was capable of 100 mph (160 km/h).[8] It weighed425 lb (193 kg) and cost £336.16.6.[11]

In 1954, Ariel built prototypes of a Mk3 with Earles forks, but the model was never put into production.[6]

Mk2 1000cc Ariel Square Four

In 1959, Square Four production, along with that of all other Ariel four-stroke models, ceased.[8]

Production
Model Years produced Production[7]
4F-500 1931–1932 927
4F-600 1932–1940 2,674
4G-1000 1936–1948 4,288
Mk I 1949–1953 3,922
Mk II 1953–1958 3,828
All Models 1931–1958 15,639

Pre-war model designations
  • 1931–1932: 498 cc 4F/31 Square Four.
  • 1932: 498 cc 4F Square Four.
  • 1932–1936: 601 cc 4F/600 Square Four.
  • 1937–1948: 995 cc 4G Square Four.
  • 1939: 599 cc 4F/600 Square Four.

See also

References
  1. Wilson, Hugo. (1993) The Ultimate Motor-Cycle Book p.85 1955 Ariel Square Four. Dorling Kindersley ISBN 0751300438 Accessed and added 2014-07-08
  2. Motor Cycle 1 December 1966 pp.728–731 Glamour-Puss by Phil Vincent Accessed 4 May 2015
  3. Motor Cycle Data Book, George Newnes Ltd, London, 1960, p.56, p.118. Accessed 2015-04-05
  4. McDiarmid, Mac (1998). Classic Superbikes From Around the World. Paragon. p. 25. ISBN 978-1405427166.
  5. "1955 Ariel Motorcycle". Mathews Collection. Archived from the original on 9 November 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
  6. "Ariel Square Four – The Real Classic Bike Guide". RealClassic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 January 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
  7. "Ariel Motorcycles!". Ariel North America. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  8. "Auction Lot 812286515 Ariel Square Four". Practical Classics. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
  9. Margie Siegal (March–April 2006). "1952 Ariel Square Four". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  10. "Maudes Trophy Run". Kettle Club. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
  11. "1959 ARIEL 997cc MODEL 4G MKII SQUARE FOUR" National Motorcycle Museum (UK). Retrieved: 2 August 2012.
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