1914 Sunbeam 3½hp

• Present ownership for 45 years
• Formerly part of Brian Verrall's private collection
• Many-time Pioneer Run competitor
• An older restoration

The first Sunbeam motorcycle - a 350cc side-valve single - left the Wolverhampton premises of John Marston, hitherto a 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 H.R.D. marque) finished second in the 1914 Senior TT on his and Sunbeam's first visit to the Island, and Tommy De La Hay inherited victory in the 1920 Senior after George Dance, also Sunbeam-mounted, retired while leading. 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.

The current vendor has owned this 3½hp Sunbeam for 45 years and has ridden it on countless Pioneer and VMCC runs. It was in the window of a motorcycle shop in Basingstoke for many years before being restored in the early 1980s by an owner who died shortly after completion. Subsequently it was bought by Brian Verrall to form part of his private collection. Our vendor purchased the Sunbeam after spotting it at the back of Verrall's shop in Tooting; he was told it was not for sale but eventually a deal was struck. In the vendor's own words: "For a Veteran motorcycle it is very easy to ride with a clutch, gearbox, reasonable brakes and a fabulous Binks carburettor which enables a first-kick start and single lever throttle control." The machine is offered with substantial history file containing a Pioneer Certificate, old/current V5/V5C documents, purchase receipt from Verrall's, expired MoTs, and other paperwork.
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