1914 Sunbeam 3½hp

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 HRD marque) finished 2nd 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.

One of an estimated ten or so known survivors from 750 examples produced, this 3½hp machine is listed in the Marston Sunbeam Register and that of the Sunbeam Motorcycle Club. Previously registered 'AR 14' (see below), the Sunbeam has completed many Pioneer Runs since the 1970s and comes with its Pioneer Certificate.

Former owner Mr Walter Gerald ('Gerry') Herridge saw details of this Sunbeam in the VMCC Journal (copy on file) and purchased it in 1969 from a Mr J Clarke, believed to be the original owner's grandson. The latter's family owned a farm in Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire. The purchase receipt is on file together with photographs of the machine 'as found'. Also in the file is a 1969 letter from the VMCC regional representative providing Mr Herridge with the owner's contact details and an overview of the machine; describing it as one of four known Veteran survivors at that time and a 'Gem' of a find. Although the fuel tank was rusty and the cylinder missing, the final-drive chain-case was still present.

Mr Herridge was a very competent engineer and ran his own engineering business in St Albans, D G Engineering. Mr Herridge made a new fuel tank and sourced a cylinder barrel via an advertisement in the VMCC Journal. It was not long before the machine was restored and back on the road. It is not clear whether or not this Sunbeam was road registered when new; if it was, the registration number has never been identified. Hertfordshire County Council issued the age-related registration number 'AR 14' in 1973. ('AR 14' was originally allocated to a 1904 motor car.)

In 2006 the private vendor recommissioned the machine. Since when it has been entered in several Pioneer Runs, Banbury Runs and other VMCC events. Our vendor researched the machine and compiled a file and booklet of information which is included in the sale. He also managed to contact the aforementioned grandson who sold the bike to Mr Herridge many years previously. The grandson was very interested and remembered the bike but confirmed that he did not have any related photographs or documentation, stating that any such information would have been disposed of many years ago. There is a detailed account of the visit on file. Our vendor reports that the Sunbeam has never let him down, runs very well and has been on the road this year.

Accompanying documents consist of a V5C Registration Certificate; the aforementioned purchase receipt and Pioneer Certificate; copy instruction manuals and expired MoTs.
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