Sunbeam motor cycles 1912

1912
SUNBEAMS

In 1912 Harry Stevens designed a 349cc side-valve engine for John Marston. Its single cylinder has a 75x79mm bore and stroke. The engine powered the first Sunbeam production motor cycle, designed by John Greenwood formerly of Rover and JAP. It has two-speed transmission with all chain drive. The finish included a green painted tank.

The oldest known surviving example, with a serial number in the 200s, dates from 1913. It is now part of the Marston Wolverhampton Heritage Trust collection.

Robert Cordon Champ includes a photograph in 'The Sunbeam Motorcycle' (1980) of a Sunbeam with a green-painted tank from the photographic collection at Shrugborough Hall Museum, Staffordshire. Its registration is E 1735. It is possibly the earliest Sunbeam motor cycle captured on camera, factory photographs excluded.

Sources:
* S J Mills, 1994, 'AJS of Wolverhampton'. Published by the Author.
* Robert Cordon Champ, 1980, 'The Sunbeam Motor Cycle'. Haynes Publishing.
* Wolverhampton Chronicle, 23 November 2006, 'Sleek Sunbeam is shining example of craftsmanship'.