That's an intresting engine arraingment, in-line two, a parallel twin turned sideways. It sounds like it runs very smoothly and I bet it was economical for it's time with a single carb. Very intresting motorcycle, thanks for the video.
The dynamo is not stock on my bike. It is running a permanent magnet Kubota tractor alternator. True the ammeter will read Discharge before the engine is started, but the PM alternator charging curve is different to a stock dynamo with mechanical voltage regulator. impbarn.blogspot.com/2011/12/sunbeam-s7-s8-permanent-magnet.html
Eric Smyder, that is a hugely impressive bit of engineering! Well beyond my skills or resources - and probably patience! Currently (no pun intended) when switched off, the ammeter of my sunbeam sits in the middle. Switching in the key causes the ammeter needle to go to the left about 10 degrees. When I start the bike the ammeter comes back almost to the middle again. I was trying to work out if that is what I should expect to see. Currently both warning bulbs don’t work but I have new 2.5v, 0.2amp bulbs on order and have also fixed one of the external windings. That might give me some more info. I also have the Stewarts Engineering handbook which gives guidance on how to check the dynamo. So that is on my to-do list. Thanks for sharing. John
Hello Faith - is your Sunbeam an S7 or S8? Is it still for sale? I am in England and if you're not too far from Bedfordshire could be interested, especially if it's an S7...!
My S7 Deluxe is still running strong. One of the few and proud operational Sunbeams in the Americas. Faith, to place a for sale advertisement in the Sunbeam Owners Fellowship magazine send an email to rotor at onthebeam.co.uk
That's an intresting engine arraingment, in-line two, a parallel twin turned sideways. It sounds like it runs very smoothly and I bet it was economical for it's time with a single carb. Very intresting motorcycle, thanks for the video.
nice bike, i remember seeing one of these bikes when i was 13 at school. one of the older boys rode it to school, ive never forgotten that sunbeam.
Thanks for the video. Very helpful in giving me a clue on what the ammeter should show before and after starting.
The dynamo is not stock on my bike. It is running a permanent magnet Kubota tractor alternator. True the ammeter will read Discharge before the engine is started, but the PM alternator charging curve is different to a stock dynamo with mechanical voltage regulator. impbarn.blogspot.com/2011/12/sunbeam-s7-s8-permanent-magnet.html
Eric Smyder, that is a hugely impressive bit of engineering! Well beyond my skills or resources - and probably patience!
Currently (no pun intended) when switched off, the ammeter of my sunbeam sits in the middle. Switching in the key causes the ammeter needle to go to the left about 10 degrees. When I start the bike the ammeter comes back almost to the middle again. I was trying to work out if that is what I should expect to see. Currently both warning bulbs don’t work but I have new 2.5v, 0.2amp bulbs on order and have also fixed one of the external windings. That might give me some more info.
I also have the Stewarts Engineering handbook which gives guidance on how to check the dynamo. So that is on my to-do list.
Thanks for sharing. John
Hi Faith, no problem at all. Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. The search continues.....!
did you find one?
engine sounds very nice
Is that with the battery or capacitor? ;-)
Hello Faith - is your Sunbeam an S7 or S8? Is it still for sale? I am in England and if you're not too far from Bedfordshire could be interested, especially if it's an S7...!
Hi Miguel, yes I do. But I don't think you are in England? There's a short video of my Sunbeam on my channel ;)
Hi Faith, do you still have the 1955 Sunbeam for sale?
Hi Gunther, sorry I sold my Sunbeam. Good luck with finding the right 'Beam.
i have one o sell.
Hi Eric, do you still have your Sunbeam? I have a 1955 Sunbeam for sale.
I want the bike
Thank you, I will.
Wow ... Nice ...
My S7 Deluxe is still running strong. One of the few and proud operational Sunbeams in the Americas.
Faith, to place a for sale advertisement in the Sunbeam Owners Fellowship magazine send an email to
rotor at onthebeam.co.uk