South African Sunbeams
25 July 2008
Hello from Johannesburg
South Africa.
My wife and I each have 1928
flat tank Marston Beams. Attached is a photo of each. I must admit to still
not being entirely sure what models they are. My wife Caroline's machine is
a 350 and thus a model 1 or 2 - I am not sure which and what the differences
were. Mine is, I think, a model 5. I thought it was a short stroke but
after viewing your site it appears to be a model 5 but with a long stroke
engine. It has an 85 mm bore as I recently replaced the piston.
On Sunday I am off to view a
1929 model 90 or what the owner purports to be a model 90. The bike was rear
ended by a car some 20 years ago and has been in bits since. I will keep you
posted and I look forward to your site with OHV machines to be added.
We are keen vintage bike
addicts. I have been collecting machines since my teens and have a fair
collection. The Sunbeams are in the "never to be sold" category.
Surprisingly there are quite a number of Marston Sunbeams in South Africa.
Our local branch of The Vintage Motorcycle club has at least a dozen
registered. In March each year we have a rally to commemorate the Durban to
Johannesburg road races of the 1920-30s which is a two day event staged on
the original route - 700km in two days. In this year's event there were 13
Marston Sunbeams - and they all finished. My model 5 needed only oil and
petrol. Not even was adjustment of the chain necessary!!
In my view they are THE
FINEST MACHINES EVER BUILT and if I had to only have one bike it would be
the Beam. It is a high privilege to own it.
Regards
Paul and Caroline
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