Description
A sad decision but I am going to part with my early S7.
Those who know the marque will know how rare these bikes are. Only 2100 S7's were originally produced and only c. 300 machines stayed in the UK.
IP 6096 was originally registered 22/ 10/ 1948 by Huet Brothers, Dublin. Little is known of this bike whilst it was in Ireland, but I have tax discs that were issued in East London from 1964. It was suggested from a previous keeper that the owner came to London, based in Docklands area possibly sold the bike and went away somewhere? a lovely story albeit maybe not correct!
I purchased the bike from a very well known member of the Sunbeam Owners Fellowship, and I also managed to contact the 2 owners prior to him.
An 'interesting story’ unravelled. The bike was found in the cellar of an old east London terraced house, along with an S7 Deluxe. Both were stripped to the bare frames, but all parts were there. The house was lived in by an elderly couple, who had since passed away, with no family to trace. It was supposed that the bikes belonged to the old chap, but that cannot be proved of course. The bikes were taken on and the S7 was rebuilt by the last known owner. The bike was never however actually fully ‘finished’ by him, or indeed the two owners after him, but I was determined to finish and ride the bike, which I have now done.
The bike retains lots of the original features, stubby correct dynamo, inverted levers, original horn push/ headlamp dip set up, but alas the original rear lamp has been replaced. I didn’t like the modern one on there so I fitted one from an Austin 7 which I modified. I think it looks much more period and in keeping with other brass parts on the bike. The bike has had new tyres fitted by the previous keeper. I managed to track down an original tank (screw type lid) and it had been professionally painted and lined, with new badges. Keen eyed Sunbeam experts will note the badges are early S8 ones, as early blue badges with white background are not available. I have the original tank badges for the bike but they need re-enamalling.
The bike starts, rides, and stops, and is a real eye catcher. I am only letting it go as I am facing a possible knee replacement on the right side, which would make starting the bike nigh impossible. Going to go back to a Harley I think..
If you just want a S7 deluxe, you can of course find these in abundance, and half the price, but to find another S7 in this condition?...
