1923 Sunbeam 347cc Model 1
Registration no. BF 5837
Frame no. 20149
Engine no. 21131

Already established as makers of high-quality bicycles, the firm of John Marston Ltd, of Wolverhampton, introduced the first Sunbeam motorcycle, a 350cc (2¾hp) sidevalve single, in 1912. The marque quickly established a reputation for sporting prowess, achieving second place in the 1914 Isle of Man Senior TT and winning the 1920 race. Overhead-valve engines were introduced in the mid-1920s but early successes were achieved with sidevalve-engined machines. Although its very first machine had been a '350', Sunbeam had abandoned the class in 1914 in favour of larger capacities, only returning to it in 1923 with an entirely new sidevalve 'long stroke' (70x90mm) design, which would form the basis of all the overhead-valve engines that followed. The new 2¾hp engine first appeared in the essentially similar Models 1 and 2, the former being a foot board-equipped tourer and the latter a more sporting machine. The lightweight Models 1 and 2 were last offered in 1928. This restored 2¾hp sidevalve 'flat tanker' is an original example that has been subjected to some mild restoration in the past and matured since then. Said to be still running well, it would benefit from some cosmetic attention or, alternatively, merely given an 'oily rag' wipe-over. The machine is offered with old-style logbook, expired MoT (2012) and Swansea V5 registration document.