With motoring in general becoming more common in the roaring Twenties, the need for vehicles that could cover longer distances comfortably became a big thing.
And for many solo travellers, a motorcycle was the preferred mode of transport. Bikes in those days were as common as cars and road conditions made them more suitable to long-distance touring.
The motorcycle company was formed out of Sunbeam Cycles, a division of Wolverhampton-based John Marston Limited, which has been producing pushbikes since the 1830s. Its first bike appeared in 1912 Following in the tradition of their bicycles, the motorcycles were of high-quality, usually with a single cylinder, and known as the Gentleman's Machine. Sunbeam motorcycles performed well in the early days of the famous TT (Tourist Trophy) races in the Isle of Man.
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 firm’s range from 1922 until 1940. During that time it earnt an enviable reputation for its reliability and stamina.
This particular example was first registered in 1927 and has been part of two private collections, the first a museum on the Isle of Man and more recently with a collector in Northern Scotland.
The Sunbeam has been with its current owner for around a decade. He acquired it privately from a collector who used to run a museum in the Isle of Man before returning to Scotland. He sold his collection of bikes in 2013 as he was suffering ill-health, and passed away shortly after.
The vendor acquired a few of his bikes for his own private collection but is now thinning down the assortment to generate space.
Prior to that its history is unknown. It was restored when it was part of the museum collection and has been kept in a dry, heated outbuilding ever since, run-up occasionally to keep it mechanically healthy.
This is an older restoration which was rejuvenated for display in the Manx Motorcycle Museum before the owner closed the collection and moved home to Scotland, where he stored it privately. It was a sympathetic restoration retaining as many original parts as possible and the overall appearance is excellent, with a retrimmed saddle and smart leather saddle bag, wire wheels and renewed tyres.
The frame, forks and mudguards are in good order with no damage, the only minor issue being some microblisters in some of the black coachwork, notably on the fuel tank. Nevertheless, it still presents beautifully and is a wonderful example of a 95-year-old bike.
According to the vendor the bike is in running order and starts well. It hasn’t been used on the road for some years so some careful rejuvenation may be required if you want to use it in runs. With its previous owner, the bike was used in – and successfully completed – the London to Brighton Vintage Motorcycle Run.
This is a lovely example of a high quality, well-engineered pre-war bike, well-loved and cherished by successive owners and restored to as close to original condition as possible. It’s a lovely old thing that warrants careful future preservation.
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1927 Sunbeam Model 5
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