Ariel Motor Company is well known for their lightweight Atom sports car, but not many people know the company also has a rich history in building motorcycles.

Ariel Motorcycles was operating from 1902 to 1970 and now the first motorcycle from Ariel for over 50 years is here with the proven tailor made approach to building vehicles that isn’t possible at high volume, reflecting the possibilities achievable only in low volume production.

The Ariel Ace will be produced in Somerset in quantities of between 100 – 150 motorcycles per year, alongside the Atom sports car.

The new motorcycle from Ariel follows in the footsteps of Atom as it is built in relationship between Ariel and Honda. Power comes from a 173bhp Honda 1237cc V4 engine, combining bespoke build system that has never been seen before on a production motorcycle.

0-60mph comes in 3.4 seconds and the top speed is 165mph.

Each Ace can be built to be tailored and fitted to individual customer choice from low riding cruiser, through street and naked machines, to super sport bikes.

Heart of the Ace is an aluminium frame machined from solid billet with welded construction. The motorcycle has adjustable footrests, brake and gear lever plus different seat heights and handlebar configurations allowing the Ace to be personally fitted, to give the perfect riding position.

The interchangeable bodywork and seating is available with different tanks, mudguards, huggers, radiator covers, belly pans, screens and fairings in standard composite or lightweight carbon fibre.

The Ace is priced at £20,000 with production beginning in early 2015.