SUNBEAM S8

OK, so i have a week off now, and decided to do a bit to the Sunbeam.

As i have said in the last post this is to be no shining garage queen, i want to keep it as original as i can as it has never been restored.

Cleaned up the frame, 69 years of grime, very satisfying indeed. I found a fly in some old grime behind the rear mudguard, and thought, 'how old is this'..

The frame is now ready for the motor, once the kickstart gear gets here (this week) i will assemble this and it can go in.

I removed the front wheel, and tyre, i think the last owner had their monies worth from this!!! New tyre and tube fitted.

I sent the brake shoes away for re-lining. A company called Villiers. £19 including the postage back to me! I spent a lot of time cleaning the 'patina' from the chrome backplate, think it looks nice and 'old' now.

Stripped the steering damper, cleaned and re-greased the thrust washers, re-assembled.

Drained the front forks. Cleaned behind the headlight etc, steering stem/head. All looks nice and 'old' now.

Re-fitted the front wheel and put it back in, the bike is now back on its wheels!

More to come...

Steve.
 

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:eek:

Love this thread... :thumb2

EDIT - Can you work out from the codes on the tyres (if they are legible) how old they are?
 
Well i found a bit of time today to do a bit on the S8. I fitted a new kick start quadrant to the gearbox, plus some new seals.

Dropped the engine in the frame.

Reground the valves and built the cylinder head, then re-fitted the head.

Its looking more like a motorcycle now!

Might get to do a bit more tomorrow...
 

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Looking good Smudge :thumby:

Back in the 70's I'd bought an Ariel Square Four (1957 4G model) for £25 and rode it home. I came across a Sunbeam S7 for eight quid complete with spare drive shaft, so with no space I let my pal have it for the same money ... I even delivered it!

He later died, his wife sold it ...

I moved on in my life, sold the Squariel to another pal when I moved house and had nowhere for it. He still has it, in the same cardboard boxes :blast

Offered him 100% mark up :eek:

It's mine if he lets it go ....

:beerjug:
 
Sorry its been a while since i posted, too much work, not enough play..

Right. Had a few days and decided it was time to get the Sunbeam finished off. Nothing barring time was stopping me.

I fitted up the twin spark coil and rewired as necessary the regulator system. After a few hours i had it running, starts a bit easier than before!

It still needs a bit of fettling, i need to strip the carb and clean it again, it was nearly 3 years ago i did it last...

https://youtu.be/Ulr3bM69kII
 
Came across a twin engined Sunbeam at the Bike Show yesterday, was it on BSH?, I can't remember. Looked a tad long in the wheelbase to me, so cornering must be interesting to say the least & that assumes you have the arms of a gorilla.

My S7 days are best left in the past, but at least the basket case saw me a hansome profit. Same with a 4G Mk1 - now that was a ruin, engine wrecked by the previous owner never addressing it's thirst for oli.
 
So, we are nearing competition. I need to get this done or at least fully re-assembled as the Garelli parts are ready, so another build is imminent...

Latest pictures taken this morning. The dynamo needs re-fitting, headlamp, front mudguard, horn, brake lamp switch and the rear light needs re-wiring. I have a pair of grips taken off another bike to fit, didn't want new ones as they would look out of place. Oily rag was the plan.
 

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that will look so good finished
if you leave it like that the hipsters will get idea's........
 
Whilst I'm not really into old British bikes I really like the Sunbeams. Which model was it that had it's cables all hidden in the handlebars and reverse pull levers? Beautiful motorcycles.
 
The S7 had inverted levers. It was made from 1946-1949 and was not very popular. They were superseded by the S7 Deluxe and the S8. I'd love an early S7...
 

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Well, i have spent the last few days out in the shed as i need to get this done before i start the Garelli rebuild.

I need to sort out some new brushes for the Dynamo and re-fit that, bolt the toolbox on, but apart from that we are just about done!

Its taken far too long but i am very happy with the outcome. I never wanted a full on resto, i personally think it would have ruined the bike.

I am liking it but i think i need to replace the headlamp glass with a flat clear one, any thoughts??
 

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And a few more.... I have the other tank badge but need a new sprung steel clip..
 

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And the last few, I think it has a very menacing look about it...
 

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And just for contrast, here's some pictures taken the day i picked it up..
 

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And the last few...
 

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That's a thing of beauty.:beerjug:
I'm going to get slaughtered for this, but forward controls would be nice. Sorry it's a me thing.
 
Thanks, I like it. Any thoughts on the clear flat headlamp glass?

Forward Controls? OOH I SAY........
 


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