LOT 305

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection 1953 Sunbeam 489cc S7 Registration no. HET 861 Frame no. overpainted Engine no. S8 10812

Sold for £9,775 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 305

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection, 1953 Sunbeam 489cc S7

The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|14 October 2023, 10:30 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection
1953 Sunbeam 489cc S7
Registration no. HET 861
Frame no. overpainted
Engine no. S8 10812

A wartime design by Erling Poppe, the Sunbeam inline twin was introduced by BSA, owners of Sunbeam Cycles Limited, in 1947. A luxury tourer, it was of advanced specification with overhead-camshaft engine, shaft drive and plunger rear suspension. The clutch housing and four-speed gearbox bolted directly to the back of the engine, which was rubber-mounted in the duplex loop frame, an innovation that required a flexible joint in the exhaust system ahead of the silencer. The first S7 version was equipped with balloon tyres, a feature not carried over to the deliberately more conventional, and also lighter and cheaper, S8 of 1949.

This Sunbeam S7 was purchased in Carlisle in the Lake District in August 2005 at a time of flood, having been submerged in the water. Fortunately, the machine was complete and the paintwork in excellent condition. The Sunbeam was brought to the Isle of Man and completely stripped down and rewired. Water had penetrated all parts of the machine, which required total restoration. This lovely Sunbeam S7 is said to be easy to start, very quiet when running, and possibly the most comfortable machine in the collection. The Sunbeam is offered with its original buff logbook; old tax discs dating from 1965; two Stewart Engineering invoices dating from 1968; Roy Bacon correspondence; an old-style V5C document; and a quantity of very useful instruction manuals, parts lists, photocopied technical literature, etc.

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Saleroom notices

This lot is offered with keys.

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