Ariel Leader

A radical design, the Leader was fully enclosed with an integral windscreen and was the first British motorcycle to have optional[2] flashing indicators.

[4] Designed by Val Page and Bernard Knight, The Ariel Leader featured a 250 cc two-stroke engine suspended from a monocoque 'backbone' fabricated from 20-gauge pressed steel panels.

As well as a full body, the standard Leader features included a headlight trimmer, an extendable lifting handle for easy centrestand use, and a permanent windscreen mounting.

[3] Factory listed options included: integral hard-luggage panniers, the first flashing indicators on a British motorcycle, a dash-mounted parking light, windscreen top-extension (adjustable on the move), a rear rack and a clock aperture built into a dashboard, which was closed by an Ariel badge when not fitted.

[8] In 1960, a prototype Arrow with a 349 cc twin-cylinder four-stroke engine was made to sell alongside the Ariel Leader.

Leader with optional panniers and indicators
Leader dash showing parking light behind screen with headlamp trimmer knob near to speedometer
Ariel Golden Arrow showing 'roll-feet' centrestand [ 6 ]