Ariel HT5 and HT3

The 500cc Ariel HT5 is one of the most iconic trials bikes out there. It's extremely popular with pre-'65 trials riders, thanks mainly to the huge success enjoyed by Sammy Miller back in the '60s and '70s with his legendary, lightweight and much modified HT5, famously known as 'GOV 132'. In its original form the HT5 is a bit too heavy and cumbersome so it's been 'tricked up' by a few specialists to make it more suited to modern trials. Jim Susans produced a few versions back in the '90s and they're now collectors' items (he built one for me and I always regret selling). Ex-road racer Mick Grant built one and competed with much success, as has Frenchman Joel Corroy. Another name that comes to mind is John Bartram who built a number of HT5 frames which were much more lightweight than the original. Because of the HT5's popularity and increasing rarity, prices are rocketing. Back in the '90s you could probably get hold of a good 'un for under £5k. But that's all changed. For example, there's one currently being advertised on eBay for £15500. Mind you, I can't imagine anyone paying that price and then riding it, say, in the gruelling terrain of the Scottish pre-'65 trial. So, if it sells, it'll probably end up mothballed in some millionaire's centrally-heated garage. Makes me think I should have asked more for my superb HT3 (the 350cc version) that I recently sold for about a third of that figure. (March 2019 update: HT5 advertised for £16500!)

£15500 eBay Oct 2013 + £17995 eBay July 2019

my old HT3 UOV **2 (Sam's was GOV 132)

March 2020.
The above photo is of an Ariel described as an HT3 being advertised on eBay for £7250. I reckon it's the HT3 that I owned some time ago (see earlier photos) which I sold for around £5k. The ally mudguards have been swapped for a couple of plastic items, the engine panel featuring the HT letters has been swapped for a plain item and, being unregistered, there's only a very slim chance of proving it's a genuine HT3, albeit a 'tricked-up' one with a Bartram frame, some Steve Gagg goodies and various other upgrades.

P.S. I sold the bike in 2013 and the present owner purchased in 2016 for apparently £7250 - the same price it's currently advertised for. What happened during those intervening three years? More than likely that was when an expensive modern 'bitsa' gained a 1950's identity and instant provenance. Maybe a 500 masquerading as a 350. With its newly acquired DVLA recognition it would have immediately qualified for the Scottish Two Day Trial and increased considerably in value. 

P.P.S.
May 2020. Bike now re-advertised on eBay for £6500.
June 2020. Now advertised by Stav Bikes of Chorley (a dealership) for £9995.
July 2020. As above.


On the subject of trials Ariels, here's a rather handsome specimen with an interesting reg. no., but is it really an Ariel, and is it really a pre-65, and is it really an HT? Hmm...

HT5 advertised in France, 2 Dec 2020 (see photo below), €10,500 (about £10,000)

 

Honda RTL360

One of my fave bikes has to be the works Honda RTL360 of Eddy Lejeune. I remember seeing him on it (or maybe it was a 250?) a couple of times when he rode in the Scottish Six Days Trial. A geat bike and a great rider. Did a bit of an internet search and discovered, somewhat surprisingly, that a works ex-Lejeune 360 is now owned by a very lucky French chap. I say 'surprisingly' because I understood that it was Honda company policy to 'crush' works bikes when they were no longer being used. Having said that, back in the '90s, I heard of another works RTL (a 250) that had escaped the crusher and was available for around £10k. Much prefer the fire-engine red 360 though. Perhaps the most desirable trials bike of all time.

 

Zero miles Yamaha GTS1000

Just spotted an unused, brand spanking new, burgundy coloured, Yam GTS being advertised for a penny under £10,000. Apparently it was registered in 2003 and immediately stored. It's probably the only unused GTS on the planet. A good investment for someone - unfortunately not me.