LOT 519

1930 Sunbeam 493cc Model 9 Registration no. VR 6615 Frame no. 7903 Engine no. LL4445

Sold for £11,500 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

Lot 519

1930 Sunbeam 493cc Model 9
Registration no. VR 6615 Frame no. 7903 Engine no. LL4445

The Spring Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|23 April 2022, 10:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1930 Sunbeam 493cc Model 9
Registration no. VR 6615
Frame no. 7903
Engine no. LL4445

Sunbeam had begun experimenting with overhead valves on their factory racers in the early 1920s and these duly appeared on production models in 1924. The new 500 roadster was known as the Model 9 while its race bike counterpart, which could top 90mph, was accordingly designated the Model 90. The John Greenwood design was advanced for its day, with a specification that included a crankshaft supported by three ball-bearings, dry-sump lubrication and primary drive enclosed in a cast alloy chain case. Power was transmitted by single-row chain to a three-speed, 'cross-over drive' gearbox with offside power take off.

This Vintage-era Model 9 has been owned by the vendor's family for between 30 and 50 years. Kept on display in a private museum, the machine has not run for at least 20 years and will re-commissioning or possibly more extensive restoration before returning to the road (the engine turns over). Notable features include original-style white rubbers on the kickstart and one pillion footrest, while the Bosch electrics (headlamp, magdyno, horn) are unusual. The only documentation consists of an old-type V5C and an attached tax disc that expired in 1951. The V5C records a 'D' prefix to the frame number, presently obscured.
Offered without key

Footnotes

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