The best years of Sunbeam
were in their early history. They built
up a tremendous reputation for quality and
finish and this was to lead eventually to
the downfall of the firm. By 1928 Sunbeam
had become part of the ICI combine but did
not add very much to group profits so in
came the accountants and much of the tradition
had to go. More parts were bought in and
slowly some of the quality began to evaporate.
However, the Model 90 of 493cc was still
based on the 1929 TT winning machine and
had an enthusiastic following and was superseded
in 1933 by the model 95.
This was to racing specification
and not of much use as a roadster but it
was revised in 1935 to provide the 95R racing
model and the 95L (for lightning) sports
machine. The range was still providing too
much value for money to suit ICI and in
1937 the business was sold to the AJS/Matchless
combine ti form Associated Motor Cycles.
Sunbeam production at Woolwich
came to an end with the war and in 1943
the name was sold to BSA. However, the quality
of paint finish of AMC machines gained a
high reputation, benefiting for many years
from what had been learned from the old
John Marston standards
| Bike |
Image |
Description |
| 1913 Sunbeam |
 |
347cc. |
1917 Sunbeam 3 1/2 hp |
 |
|
1919 Royal Sunbeam 24" Gents
Cycle
|
 |
1919 Simplex Power Unit 104cc. |
1921 Sunbeam M7 |
 |
|
| 1922 Sunbeam |
 |
350 cc Model 1, Flat Tanker, side-valve.
|
1924 Sunbeam Model 3 |
 |
|
| 1925 Sunbeam Sports |
 |
492cc. |
| 1925 Sunbeam |
 |
499cc Light tourer |
1926 Sunbeam Light Solo, 499cc |
 |
|
1927 Sunbeam 1, 347cc |
|
|
1927 Sunbeam Model 5 Combination
|
 |
The long stroke Sunbeam side valve
single was a stalwart of the range
from the early twenties for nearly
twenty years. Endowed with great stamina,
Sunbeam's exemplary finish and the
unique "oil bath" chaincase
it proved popular with tourists and
sidecarists alike.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
|
1927 Sunbeam 5, 500cc |
 |
The model presented here is equipped
with fully enclosed front and rear chaincases.
The engine character can be described
as "giving an explosion at every lamp
post". A perfect touring machine, suitable
for the odd high speed stretch. |
| 1928 Sunbeam |
 |
350 Side Valve Model, the last model
of the flat tankers. |
| 1928 Sunbeam Model 90 |
 |
More Sunbeam
Model 90 information. |
1928 Sunbeam M90 Racer, 500cc |
 |
Developed from the competition mount
campaigned notably by renowned speed man
George Dance, Sunbeam's range topping
model Model 90 was a high quality motorcycle
aimed at the gentleman speed merchant.
It was good enough to be a frontrunner
in top level racing, with Charlie Dodson
winning the 1928 and 1929 Senior TTs,
though the latter win was on the updated
'saddle tank' version. |
1928 Sunbeam Longstroke, 500cc |
 |
Sunbeam motorcycles gained fame for
their very high standards of workmanship,
their speed and their reliability: races
all over Europe were won in the early
half of the twenties with machines equipped
with the very fast and reliable Longstroke
side valve engine with bore/stroke of
77x 105.5 mm. This Light Tourist is equipped
with a Longstroke engine and also has
the characteristic fully enclosed rear
chain. Front mudguard is non-original. |
1928 Sunbeam Model 5
|
 |
The "longstroke" Sunbeam
was offered in two versions during
the twenties, the touring Model 5
and the sporting Model 6 and would
remain a feature of the firms range
from 1922 until 1940. During that
time it earnt an enviable reputation
for its reliability and stamina.
This particular example was first
registered on the 21st March 1930
although it had been built during
1928. It came into Wolverhampton engineer
Walter Edge ownership during the late
1950's who undertook its restoration.
Mr Edge, a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast,
had started work in the toolroom at
John Thompson Motor Pressings rising
to the position of Toolroom Superintendent
before retiring in 1969. During his
career he had worked on Sir Malcolm
Campbell and John Cobbs land speed
record cars and developed an interest
in his home towns engineering achievements,
particularly its motorcycles.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
|
1929 Sunbeam 9, 500cc |
 |
Twin port engine, crankcase supported
by 3 ball bearings, dry-sump lubrication,
primary drive enclosed in cast alloy chaincase,
3-speed 'cross-over' drive gearbox, offside
power take-off. |
1929 Sunbeam Model 8 LL500 cc racer |
 |
|
| 1929 Sunbeam TT80 |
 |
Vintage saddle tank, 350cc single.
|
| 1930 Model 6 Sunbeam with 492cc sidevalve
engine |
 |
|
1930 Sunbeam Lion Combination, 599cc |
 |
This model originated in the early 1920s
as the venerable model 7 sidecar puller
with bore and stroke dimensions of 85x105.5
mm. The engine has much pulling power
at low revs, and the excellent Sunbeam
workmanship can be seen in many details.
The machine has a 4 speed hand change
gearbox, the rear chain is fully enclosed.
The tank top has an internally illuminated
instrument panel with oil pressure gauge
and provision for A clock. The cylinder
head is a detachable non detonating design,
the wheels are interchangeable. This machine
is fitted with a luxurious sidecar with
windscreen and hood. |
| 1931 Sunbeam Lion 500cc |
 |
Image supplied by www.andybuysbikes.com |
| 1931 Sunbeam Lion, 492cc |
 |
|
Sunbeam Model 9
500cc 1931 |
 |
|
1934 Sunbeam 250 OHV Longstroke Model
14
|
 |
Sunbeam introduced the Model 14 during
1933. The new machine featured a long
stroke engine displacing 246cc which
was essentially a Model 8 350cc engine
with a reduced bore. The cycle parts
were much as those employed by the Model
8 although some lighter components were
employed in an attempt to reduce the
models overall weight.
Image kindly provided by www.BuyVintage.co.uk.
|
1935 Sunbeam 500cc OHV Single Cylinder
Model 95L |
 |
Engine - 80 x 98mm = 493cc OHV single-cylinder
ohv unit with single port head and hairpin
valve springs. Magdyno ignition. Flange
mounted AMAL racing carburettor
Transmission - Primary chain in oilbath
to 4-speed footchange gearbox with cross-over
drive to rear chain.
Frame - Rigid diamond pattern. Saddle
tank with snap action filler cap.
Wheels - 3.00 x 21" front tyre and
3.25 x 20" rear. Cable operated brakes.
Rear brake pedal on left with reverse
action. |
| 1936 Sunbeam |
 |
250cc. |
| 1936 Sunbeam Lion |
 |
492cc. |
1936 Sunbeam B28, 500cc |
 |
|
1937 Sunbeam Model 14
|
 |
Sunbeam introduced the Model 14
during 1933. The new machine featured
a long stroke engine displacing 246cc
which was essentially a Model 8 350cc
engine with a reduced bore. The cycle
parts were much as those employed
by the Model 8 although some lighter
components were employed in an attempt
to reduce the models overall weight.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
|
| 1937 Sunbeam Model 8 |
 |
model 8 series 2 ohv 350cc made for
one year, 1937. |
| 1937 Sunbeam Model 9 |
 |
500cc, OHV. |
| 1938 Sunbeam Series 2 Model 8 |
 |
|
| 1938 Sunbeam A23 250 Longstroke |
 |
|
1938 Sunbeam Model 9 Series 2, 600cc |
 |
|
1938 Sunbeam M8, 350cc |
 |
The first OHV production Sunbeams were
listed as the model 8 (350cc) and 9 (500cc)
in 1924. The model 8 with bore/stroke
dimensions of 70x90 mm was an excellent
sporty tourer, but stayed somewhat in
the shadow of its more glamorous big brother.
In the course of the years the models
8&9 were kept up to date; saddle tanks
were introduced for the 1929 season and
the lubrication system was modernised.
In the mid-thirties parent company ICI
(Imperial Chemical Industries) decided
to dispose of the hardly profitable cycle
and motorcycle side. AMC bought the business
in 1937: their main interests being the
bicycle dealer network and the well-establish
famous Sunbeam name. Production moved
from Wolverhampton to Plumstead. That's
to say, there was so much stock that it
was enough to sustain production in London
for more than a year. By 1940 Sunbeams
were no longer produced. |
| 1939 Sunbeam B23 |
 |
477th of a total of 650 manufactured.
|
1939 Sunbeam High Cam - B28 |
 |
The High Cam Sunbeam was only made in
1939 when AMC took over the Sunbeam company.
The High Cam was built using several engine
capacities of 250, 350, 500 and 600ccs.
This Sunbeam is a B25 500cc engine of
82.5mm bore and 93mm stroke. |
| 1939 Sunbeam V24S Sports |
 |
The new high-camshaft range was
inrtoduced in 1939, but the outbreak
of was soon afterwards meant that
only small numbers of them were produced.
This is one of the rarest, the 350cc
Sports model with higher specification
forks, high level exhaust and polished
engine internals. |
| 1939 Sunbeam 350cc Hi Cam Sports |
 |
|
| 1947 Sunbeam S7 |
 |
Sunbeam
S7 Gallery |
| 1950 Sunbeam S8 |
 |
Sunbeam
S8 gallery
Image supplied by www.andybuysbikes.com |
Sunbeam S7/8 |
 |
Engine - air-cooled 487cc, OHC tandem
twin
Top Speed - 80mph
Brakes - drum/drum
Transmission - 4 speed
Frame - tubular twin loop
Picture kindly provided by www.vintagebike.co.uk |
