Author Topic: NGC With age comes wisdom (Read 10637 times)

mgfan · « **on:** January 14, 2015, 01:39:28 PM »

So, for all you wise men. I'm looking for input/knowledge about Sunbeam motorcycles. Dependable as my Italian mistress? I like shaft drive, but an inline twin might have heat issues. Thanks in advance. Harold :BEER:

Vasco DG · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2015, 01:46:09 PM »

Biggest problem with the S7 and S8 as far as I know was their final drive which was by some odd form of worm gear which was fragile. It was adopted because BSA who owned Sunbeam at the time were tooled up for it.

Pete

mgfan · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2015, 01:56:19 PM »

Reliable in as much as I go for a 40 mile toot and get home again. My Guzzi's take me farther. I had a Norton so I've already got a rescue trailer, just don't know much about them except they look interesting. :BEER:

Don G · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2015, 02:03:29 PM »

With age comes wisdom is true in most cases, but dont forget sometimes with age comes sillyness!LOL ;-T DonG

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2015, 02:03:29 PM »

Penderic · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2015, 02:12:20 PM »

I'd check for user's groups and their linked sites.

http://www.sunbeamownersfellowship.co.uk/index.php/links

Looks like a nice bike.

Penderic · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2015, 02:13:30 PM »

PS...

(Ouch!, did that hurt?) :D

mgfan · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2015, 02:25:16 PM »

I'm getting sillier by the month, hence the Sunbeam! :BEER:

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2015, 02:34:31 PM »

I dream of owning a Sunbeam
If you don't want it point it in my direction ;D

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2015, 04:09:23 PM »

If you are going to ride a Sunbeam, you need a cat to ride with you.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/back-in-day-famous-motorcycle-riding-cat-dies-video-5803843

balvenie · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2015, 04:19:22 PM »

That's sad Jim

Waltr · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2015, 04:35:18 PM »

Just when you thought you saw everything........

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2015, 07:10:00 PM »

Wise man not say reliable and Sunbeam in same sentence, grasshopper.. ;D :BEER:

redrider · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2015, 07:23:08 PM »

But It is a Sunbeam! Nuff said. Honey?????? Wait I I I I ...

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2015, 08:38:12 PM »

It was the only one that showed max and friend on the Sunbeam. I did find one that showed them on a BSA or some other Brit twin.
They rode together for years and became famous together. It is sad that they had to die together but that's the risk we all take.
Meeting a drunk on the road cannot be predicted.

SED · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2015, 10:54:34 PM »

I know a guy that has a picture of himself sitting on a Sunbeam S7 at 4 years of age and when it was the family's only transportation. At some point his father bought a car and the guy got the bike (had to pay for it!). He still rides it and now his kids are older than he was. Been on a 100 mile ride with him.

Like VGD says the weak point is the rear drive. Stewart Engineering has been the outfit to get help with these.
http://www.stewartengineering.co.uk/

It's a cool bike. Designed as a gentleman's commuter. OHC inline twin shaft drive. All alloy engine in a world of cast iron engines. I think it had modern coil & distributor ignition when most were magnetos. Designed to be quiet and smooth riding with little vibration so relatively heavy (400lbs?) and cushy. Not very powerful or tuneable despite the OHC. Only other weird thing is the crankshaft driven generator (or is it alternator?) - who would do that??! ;D

If you leave the plug gap at 0.035" they are very hard to start hot...

johnr · « **Reply #15 on:** January 14, 2015, 11:05:46 PM »

Absolutely cool machines, esp the S8 imho.

(like the Flash in the pic above too. My 1st bike was one of those)

rboe · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2015, 08:09:05 AM »

I'd love to own one. Damn cool looking machine and seem to push most of right buttons in my head. Not too rational, but hey, we don't need to be that rational anymore! :BEER:

SED · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2015, 10:59:07 PM »

Quote from: johnr on January 14, 2015, 11:05:46 PM

Absolutely cool machines, esp the S8 imho.

(like the Flash in the pic above too. My 1st bike was one of those)

You got a good eye John. The Sunbeams are cool machines and so rare people really like them.

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2015, 11:25:21 PM »

Knowledge is knowing how to do a particular job.
Skill is the ability to do it correctly.
Wisdom is getting someone else to do it.

Penderic · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2015, 12:34:23 AM »

Instruction through demonstration and practice......

News:

Author Topic: NGC With age comes wisdom (Read 10637 times)

Vasco DG

Wildguzzi.com

Penderic

Penderic

redrider

Penderic