1934 Other Makes

F9190

Offered for your perusal; a 1934 Sunbeam Model 80. 350cc Dual-Port Exhaust, w/Hair-spring overhead Valves. This is the Sport version of the more common Model 8 Sunbeam motorcycle !!! One rare little bike........especially on THIS side of the Pond...........having only been produced for 4 years in Wolverhampton, England. I have had the pleasure of owning this little gem for over 12 years, and sadly, due to financial stresses, must let it go to a new Caretaker. My time with this marvelous bike has been truly memorable! I have never been one to pamper & polish vintage motorcycles; I'm a firm believer in using these old machines as they were originally intended.......and use it I have!!I rode the bike numerous times from NYC to AMCA meets all over the Eastern seaboard. At Oley, PA, I had people calling me "The Last of the Great Sunbeam Riders"! Which, despite being a wonderful source of Ego-stroking, was of course not really true; These bikes have an extremely loyal following in England, and are ridden in anger on a continual basis there! I also enjoyed spirited rides to Harmony, Hebron, Jefferson, etc........ and ALWAYS got a lot of attention for actually riding a 350cc antique. What most folks aren't prepared to understand, however, is that this particular 350cc bike is really very fast! Speed is relative of course, but this bike is VERY light, maneuvers very smoothly, and will maintain 65 or 70 on the Super-slab. Not bad for a 70+ year old motorcycle! The bike won a First Place Award for its Category, at the annual 'Dinosaur Show' in Queens, NY. It was also photographed for aclassic bike Calendar while being shown at the Greenwich, CT 'Concours d' Elegance, some years ago. Because I spent my time riding this thing, instead of waxing it and talking about it a lot, there were a few "consequences"! As you can perhaps imagine.......the road surfaces in NYC are not really the best. Potholes can eventually take a toll on a motorcycle of this vintage. I lost bits of hardware occasionally, but always kept the bike in good running order. About 4 years ago, I burned through the original cork inserts that line the plates and create the grip-surface in the Clutch. I had difficulty finding anyone that had replacement corks (although I have since found a source in England, if you're interested?) and so I did a temporary fix, using cork sheets that I cut to fit the plates.......the clutch would benefit from an upgrade to some kind of Modern Material. On my way to yet another swapmeet........this time in Rhinebeck, NY, I managed to break one of the External Hard Oil Lines in Yonkers, NY. Oil was gushing out pretty quickly, but I managed to Jury-rig the split in the line, with rubber tubing and electrical tape, so that I could limp home and park it. Sadly, it has remained parked for the 3 and a half years since that mishap. So................what exactly have we got here? I'll tell you: We have a sporty vintage motorcycle that needs some attention. In reality, it is very close to being back on the road where it TRUELY belongs! Here is what needs to be done in order to have it back on the road: Replace external oil-line, re-line clutch plates, clean carburetor (gas has become a bit "varnish-like"......never intended to leave it sitting long). The bike will no-doubt need a fresh battery, an overall points & plug cleaning, and you will need to replace a missing bolt from the right-side rear prop stand. The kick starter 'return-spring' is broken. (I was lazily using a bungee cord) The Exhaust Valve Lifter cable is not in place. I never found it necessary, as the bike always started easily.....but this could be added.I don't have the time and/or space to work on it anymore. I can't stand to see it collecting dust......and now I need the money. Otherwise, everything is in very good order. It is a "ran-when-I-last-parked-it" situation, aside from the split in the external oil line. On the Plus Side: I put Brand New Avon Speedmaster Mk II Tires on the bike, the week before I was shut down in Yonkers. Brand new valve guides were put into the motor One Year before being parked. I have a NEW Kick Starter Spring that will be included. The purchaserwill receive The Original 'Buff' Log Book, which shows ownership back to the early 40's in England, as well as war-time PetrolRationing Stamps and registration marks. 2 Sunbeam Books go with the bike, as well as some Brand New 'Sunbeam' foot pegrubbers, an English Vintage Club key fob (although the bike uses NO key!), some spare spark plugs.........and the Best Part: AN ALMOST COMPLETE EXTRA ENGINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that's right..........Engine Cases, Cylinder, Head, anda set of Transmission Gears & Shafts, come along with the bike! Truly, a rare find in its own right! The overall condition of this bike is very good for its age. It was mechanically restored by an airplane mechanic in Timmons, Ontario,and I purchase the bike from him 12 years ago. He specialized in British Bikes from the 30's, and had a substantial collection ofbeauties from that era. The paint has a nice 'patina' to it, and I have tried to include as many different views of the bike as I could.I took all of these pics TODAY......so what you are seeing is how the bike looks NOW!! I have listed this motorcycle with a fair Reserve Price, and have attempted to describe all the pros & cons of the bike that I can thinkof. I value my perfect feedback score, so please feel free to ask any questions you might have. I'll do my best to answer them in atimely fashion. I cannot crate this bike, but if some distant buyer decides that they absolutely must own this bike......I am willingto help transport it within 25 miles or so for crating & shipping. NYC is a major port, of course, so it IS possible. Otherwise, Iam happy to help load the machine into a truck or van, and am willing to help with whatever way I can from my end. The Bike is NOT RUNNING currently, so it MUST be picked-up. I am also attempting to sell the bike locally, so reserve the right to stop the auction before it is over......but ONLY if the Reserve hasn't been met. In accordance with New York State Law, the bike will be sold with transferred Registration (which is current), and a Bill of Sale. No Title is issuedfor a bike of this age. Thanks for looking!