Sunbeam Cycles: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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John Marston, the man who started it all was born in [[Ludlow]] in 1836, of a minor landowning family. In 1851 at age 15, he was sent to [[Wolverhampton]] to be apprenticed to Edward Perry as a japanware manufacturer. At the age of 23 he left and set up his own japanning business, making any and every sort of domestic article. He did so well that when Perry died in 1871, Marston took over his company and incorporated it in his own. |
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John Marston Ltd began by making bicycles to which the "Sunbeam" trademark was applied. John Marston was a perfectionist, and this was reflected in the high build quality of the Sunbeam bicycle, which had an enclosure around the chain in which an oil bath kept the chain lubricated and clean. They were made until 1936, and to the end, remained the best bicycle money could buy. The Sunbeam Motor Car Company Ltd was founded in 1905 but it was not until 1912 that the John Marston Ltd. produced motorcycles. 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]]. |
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After the First World War, the Marston company was sold to a consortium. In 1919 the consortium became part of Nobel Industries Limited. In 1927 Nobel Industries amalgamated with Brunner Mond Ltd. to form [[Imperial Chemical Industries]] (ICI). In this huge organization motorcycles were a small part. |
After the First World War, the Marston company was sold to a consortium. In 1919 the consortium became part of Nobel Industries Limited. In 1927 Nobel Industries amalgamated with Brunner Mond Ltd. to form [[Imperial Chemical Industries]] (ICI). In this huge organization motorcycles were a small part. |
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Revision as of 13:36, 30 April 2006
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Sunbeam was a British motorcycle marque generally known for high quality.
History
John Marston, the man who started it all was born in Ludlow in 1836, of a minor landowning family. In 1851 at age 15, he was sent to Wolverhampton to be apprenticed to Edward Perry as a japanware manufacturer. At the age of 23 he left and set up his own japanning business, making any and every sort of domestic article. He did so well that when Perry died in 1871, Marston took over his company and incorporated it in his own.
John Marston Ltd began by making bicycles to which the "Sunbeam" trademark was applied. John Marston was a perfectionist, and this was reflected in the high build quality of the Sunbeam bicycle, which had an enclosure around the chain in which an oil bath kept the chain lubricated and clean. They were made until 1936, and to the end, remained the best bicycle money could buy. The Sunbeam Motor Car Company Ltd was founded in 1905 but it was not until 1912 that the John Marston Ltd. produced motorcycles. 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.
After the First World War, the Marston company was sold to a consortium. In 1919 the consortium became part of Nobel Industries Limited. In 1927 Nobel Industries amalgamated with Brunner Mond Ltd. to form Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). In this huge organization motorcycles were a small part.
In 1937 the Sunbeam motorcycle trademark was sold to Associated Motor Cycles Ltd ("AMC"), which continued to make Sunbeam bicycles and motorcycles until 1939.
In 1943, AMC sold the Sunbeam name to BSA, and Sunbeam Cycles Ltd came into being. Three Sunbeam motorcycle models were produced from 1946 to 1956, not in the main BSA factory at Small Heath, Birmingham, but in Redditch, Worcestershire. These were followed by two scooter models from 1959-1964. The new Sunbeam motorcycles were of an entirely new design inspired by BMW German army motorcycles captured in WWII.
Models
Early Sunbeam motorcycles
1912 to 1937
Many John Marston Sunbeam motorcycle models were produced. In 1924 a new model numbering system was introduced; Sunbeam Models 1 through 11. Other higher numbered models were produced in later years. The majority had single cylinder engines developing relatively low power. A hallmark of the early Sunbeams was the suburb quality and finish of black with gold pinstriping.
S model motorcycles
1946 to 1956
S7, S8, S7 Deluxe
An unusual engine layout, inline 500 cc twin with propellor shaft drive to the rear wheel. The original S7 was produced from 1946 to 1948 and did not sell well. In 1949, the sportier S8, with standard-sized wheels rather than the fat tyres of the S7, and BSA front forks, was produced. The S7 was improved and sold as the S7 Deluxe. The original S7 was available only in black, whereas the standard colours for the S8 were "Polychromatic Grey" or black. The S7 Deluxe came in either "Mist Green" or black. Although the early S7 was not a good seller or mechanically very sound, this bike is the most sought after and commands a premium over the S7 Deluxe and the S8.
B model scooters
1959 to 1964
B1, B2 Scooters
References
- Champ, R.C. 1983. Sunbeam S7 & S8 Super Profile. Haynes Publishing Group, Yeovil. 56 pp.
- Haycraft, W.C. 1954. The Book of the Sunbeam S7 and S8. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Bath. vii + 120 pp.
- Munro, D.W. 1954. Sunbeam Motor Cycles. Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Series. C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., London. 138 pp.
See also
- Sunbeam Car Company Sunbeam Car Company was demerged from Sunbeam Motor Cycles parent in 1905
External links
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