Ariel ‘Square Four’ Chopper

Key facts

Year

1958
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

995cc
Cylinders

4
Valves

Overhead
Output

40bhp at 5,600rpm
Performance

80mph
Price new

Not sold in this form
Owner

Montagu Collection
Manufacturer

Ariel Motors Ltd, Birmingham

Customised motorcycles or ‘choppers’ have their origins in 1950s America. Mildly customised bikes called ‘bobbers’ developed into the more extreme ‘choppers’ of the 1960s. The name comes from ‘hot rodding’ and refers to modifying or ‘chopping’ a standard machine. Typical chopper features include long front forks, ‘ape hanger’ handlebars, and ‘sissy bar’ backrests. Fuel tanks may be radically shaped and often have elaborate paintwork.

The chopper craze spread to Europe in the 1970s, made popular by the success of the cult film Easy Rider starring Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. This bike was built from a 1958 Ariel 4G MkII ‘Square Four’ by enthusiast Chris Smith in 1971.