I've dull nickeled the dynamo housing but wondering if the W/NG pushrod tubes should be chromed or dull nickeled? Anyone with originals that tell the story?
Thanks,
Wade

email (option): iron_ariel@yahoo.ca

I bought mine from Russell Motors Wade, although this was some time ago now........NOS......

They are, as far as I can tell, thin dull-chrome (eg - matt silver-grey in colour) plated...........the original finish has proved to be very durable too........

Worth noting that many fasteners on the W/NG (nuts, bolts, etc) are in a blackened finish rather than dull chrome or cadmium plate............this finish was known as Cosletising or Parkerising..............I've got a lot of original finish fasteners on mine that were new-old-stock when I built the bike but they haven't proved to be too durable over the years and prone to corrosion..........

Chemically blacked bolts and other fittings and fasteners have to be oiled regularly to prevent them corroding...and I don't think many of us are that conscientious...

We used the Parkerised finish for a lot of the fasteners and other components in the factory I worked in building machine tools...but once operational they used cutting oil for the machining process so it wasn't an issue...

It was primarily a cheap finish and durability was a secondary consideration...In reality pretty unsuitable for use on any machine exposed to the outside environment...or even a damp atmosphere...

Happily I'm not that much of an originality fanatic so I'm happy to have something more durable....but I guess that's what you have to put up with if you like everything as correct as it can be....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Thanks Steve. Your Russell's tubes had to have been for W/NG as all other Ariel model tubes are bright chromed. Dull it is.

Another solution would be to use stainless tubes (from Drags) and media blast them with soda or a similar media, the same as using stainless spokes and dulling them to look like zinc plating.

I also have a number of NOS W/NG fittings in black and plan to match the rest of the nuts and bolts by black plating over the zinc and then boiling in MOOVIT, which is a rust penetrant and lubricant. This way a quick wipe with a moistened cloth should keep the look.

http://itwprofessionalbrands.com/dymon-product.php?product=1230

I like the idea that war machines are not show boats but are built for business.

Ian, if we could all have California weather we wouldn't have to worry about rusted bolts.

Wade

email (option): iron_ariel@yahoo.ca

['I like the idea that war machines are not show boats but are built for business.']

['Ian, if we could all have California weather we wouldn't have to worry about rusted bolts.']

My M20 and other bikes, have mostly stainless fasteners and fittings...not to make them show boats but to ensure they are 'built for business' (and durability) in the wet UK climate...

California weather?...I keep burning tyres and praying for global warming.. ....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Wade.....Ian makes a fair point......our UK climate isn't kind on old fasteners.....

My pushrod tubes were new-old-stock from Russell's as mentioned, quite some time ago now, and they were still in the WD wrapping complete with labels..............

Russell's still have a lot of WD Ariel stuff, though none of it is listed........it's a case of enquiring..............they did have stuff such as front brake rods, barrells, heads, pistons, valves and springs, control cables (complete ex-WD), various brackets including exhaust, toolboxes, etc, brake shoes, gear levers, foot rests, filler caps, nuts and bolts, etc............

You may also wish to speak with my long-term mate Mick Holmes (who works at Draganfly for his sins)......there's nothing that Mick doesn't know about WD Ariel's and is a font of knowledge.............he will always deny this though......

There's quite a few oil blacked parts on a Norton, gearbox nuts and linkages, head nuts and handlebar bolts. I oil blacked them myself by getting them red hot and immersing in old engine oil several times. This has worked very well and is still working better than some of the plating I had done.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Stainless anything is fantastic and I've worked with it most days for the last 4 decades. Built a Triumph with stainless everything.

Caswell Europe has a stainless blackener that is available to be shipped within the UK with certain carriers and can be shipped to the rest of Europe with a Dangerous Goods cert.
http://www.caswelleurope.co.uk/stainless-steel-blackener-500ml/

Yes, Mick is one terrific and knowledgeable guy. I really enjoyed working with him at Draganfly last year.

Talked with Les of Russell's earlier this year and he told me that the Ariel stock is gone, with Draganfly buying up the last. Steve, perhaps you could ask Mick about the situation the next time you see him.

Listened to a scientist last night that has revealed a previously unnoticed solar cycle that shows we are entering a prolonged period of cold weather. Global warming caused by mankind is a nice ploy to tax us for our last coin. Sure hope there will be a few warm places to visit.
Wade

email (option): iron_ariel@yahoo.ca