I very much enjoyed the article on the Ariel Leader and the various letters.
Enclosed is something readers may enjoy. After 52,000 miles on the Leader, I have many tales to tell but will hold back so as not to start a book!
The Ariel Leader – often the comments made are derogatory regarding the concept and the origins of the engine. I wonder if the authors ever owned a Leader or the Arrow. Perhaps they sneered at the new machines when they first appeared in the showrooms?
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In the winter of 1959 I was commuting 50 miles a day on a D5 Bantam Super.
As an introduction to motorcycling it was hard work and breakdowns were frequent, which resulted in my arriving late at work.
After covering 23,000 miles between May of 1958 and January 1960, I’d had enough of it. The Bantam had to go.
I visited Compton & Ecclestone Ltd in Bexleyheath Broadway where I did a part-exchange with Bernie (yes, THAT Bernie Ecclestone). I think the Leader cost £210.
Read more of this letters and other letters in the April 2019 issue of OBM – on sale now!
