The Motor Cycle - Ariel Two-Stroke Engine Analysed

Ariel's decision to power the Leader with a two-stroke engine was radical decision for a company with a long history for four-stroke development. In September 1958 'The Motor Cycle' magazine wrote a special featured about the Leader's engine and its development.

Introducing the Leader - Motor Cycling Magazine July 1958

People often tell me that the Leader was an unpopular motorbike and a failure. These views come with a substantial dose of hindsight and prejudice. For some reason, two-strokes are seen as something second rate amongst British motorcycle aficionados. While it's true that sales of the Leader and Arrow fell away after a couple of years, the Leader, when introduced, was a sensation. Quite rightly called "Tomorrow's design .... today!", the Leader was launched with much fanfare. The British 'Motor Cycling' magazine dedicated 27 pages of editorial, articles and advertising to the Leader, which I've presented in full here.

The single bare sentence "British Factory's Sensational Newcomer" gives no hint of what's to come.

Page one and Alpha Bearings have a full page advertisement linking themselves to the Leader engine.






Five full pages of dealer listings

An editorial lauding the Leader

Castrol oil jumps on the Leader bandwagon


Ariel take out a two page advertisement

Kings of Oxford, as the leading Ariel agent, present a full page advertisement






Motor Cycling's five page article about the Leader

The Leader's design team receive a full page article

Avon Tyres advertisement

Esso Oil also took out a full page advertisement

As does Shell Oil

More dealer advertisements

Assembly line photographs from the Selly Oak factory.

Mobil Oil also took out a full page advertisement

Dunlop Tyres add a full page advertisement for their white wall tyres.