c.1915 Sunbeam 3½hp

Registration no. CF 1973 Frame no. 3373 Engine no. 3385 G.S

● Owned by well-known moto-cross competitor, the late Jack Hubbard, from 1988
● An older restoration
● Comes with a Lucas acetylene lighting set

The first Sunbeam motorcycle - a 350cc sidevalve single - left the Wolverhampton premises of John Marston, manufacturer of finest quality enamelled goods, bicycles and - latterly - cars, in 1912. Designed by Harry Stevens (later to found AJS) the 2¾hp Sunbeam was equipped with a two-speed countershaft gearbox and fully enclosed all-chain drive, proving an instant success in an era when the norm was hub gears and belt-drive. Like Marston's other products, his motorcycles soon established a reputation for sound construction and exemplary finish. Their racetrack performances did nothing to discourage sales either. Howard Davies (later to found the HRD marque) finished 2nd in the 1914 Senior TT on his and Sunbeam's first visit to the Island.

Sunbeam's second model was the John Greenwood-designed 3½hp of 1913. A sidevalve single like its predecessor, the 3½hp came with a three-speed hand-change gearbox and fully enclosed oil-bath chain cases, the latter first seen on the company's bicycles. With the coming of WWI, most of Sunbeam's production was earmarked for Allied forces, the biggest 'home' user being the Royal Naval Air Service (forerunner of the Fleet Air Arm), which ordered the 3½hp as its favoured model.

Believed to be an older restoration, this 3½hp Sunbeam was formerly owned by well-known moto-cross competitor Jack Hubbard, who died in 2008. A former 'works' rider for AMC, Jack won his ACU Centre's Scrambles Championship many times; the Channel Islands' Sand Racing Championship; and the Eastern Centre Grass-track Championship. Jack Hubbard purchased the Sunbeam at the Beaulieu auction in July 1988 (catalogue extract on file). Notable features include a Senspray carburettor, Brooks toolboxes and a Splitdorf magneto.

The machine is offered with continuation RF.60 logbook, issued 1925, listing the date of first registration as 24th January 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each. (Many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing). The logbook records the 'Year of Engine' as 1915. However, both frame and engine numbers appear to fit the Sunbeam range for circa 1915. Additional documentation includes a current V5C and HPI check, and the machine also comes with a Lucas 'King of the Road' headlamp, acetylene generator, rear light and numberplate.