1935 Other Makes on 2040-motos

This bike was discovered in Egypt in 2005. Sunbeam motorcycles of this era were used by the British military as part of the contingent that secured the railway in Damascus during the Palestine Revolt in the mid '30s. I have been told that the oil pump and lack of speedometer (front hub is not machined to accept the speedo drive) are unusual for the model, and may be attributed to military specification that precluded what were otherwise standard offerings for that time period. 

When it was unearthed in a dusty warehouse, it hadn't been seen in decades, and the original girder front forks were long gone- having been appropriated for a BSA M20. The Sunbeam and its front end had gone their separate ways, with little chance of ever being reunited. The previous owner purchased the BSA which sporting Sunbeam forks. He spent the next two years sleuthing the original front end for his BSA, which he found residing on the Sunbeam in a town near Cairo. He purchased the bike, reacquainted both machines with their original front end geometry, and subsequently shipped them both stateside.The bike made the 5600 mile journey to New York, where I purchased it in 2015. 

This moto is a time-capsule, for while it has seen a lot of use, it has benefitted from being in the arid climate of the middle east, for it has only minimal oxidation for a machine of its considerable age. I studied the bike, and it was apparent that a broken clutch mechanism put the bike to rest, and since replacement parts were unavailable in that region of the world, the bike was set up on its stand, and nearly forgotten about for generations. You should note the clutch inspection cover- the original alloy piece was replaced with this hand made unit- no doubt fashioned by a local tinsmith. It is an interesting example of how necessity kept this bike, and other expatriated units like it, viable so far from a ready parts stream. This sale also includes a replacement clutch inspection cover. This is a mostly original bike, not a bitsa thrown together from random parts picked at auto jumbles. 

The petrol tank and fenders have been repainted at some point. The frame seems to still bear some of the original lacquer. Some of the chrome has lost its finish, particularly the handlebars and hand levers. The tires are of Egyptian make, and testify to the bike's interesting past.

The gearbox was rebuilt. I replaced all of the bearings in the gearbox, which is the late AU style Sunbeam unit, just before the Burman changeover. The gearbox now shifts smoothly through all the gears, and the starter ratchet mechanism is in good nick.

The petrol tank was sent to a local radiator shop that does quality work. It was cleaned and sealed (the proprietor of the radiator shop does A1 work, and the coating he uses is impenetrable by ethanol fuels). 

The magneto was sent out for a complete refurbishment. and it throws a bright, fat spark. It should be good for another 80 years. The fuel system works,  the oil system works (as indicated on the Eureka oil pressure gauge), and the brakes all work. The bike comes with a number of spares, including valves (intake and exhaust) and valve springs. The rear number plate, along with a replacement tail light (sourced from a NOS cache overseas) are included, but not installed. 

Things that will need attention are as follows. The dynamo will need to be installed- I not know if it works. The exhaust valve lifting pin is missing- one has been fashioned, but absent dimensions of the original piece the piece of clutch rod from a Triumph 650 cut to length seems a good fit.

The clutch hub, which uses a roller bearing on its outermost point, has damage to the threads where the locking disc screws in. I have used a spring to captivate the bearing, and it does the job. I located a NOS threaded disc, it is just a matter of finding a replacement hub or having the existing hub repaired. The tank clock is not present. The inspection covers are replacements. The ammeter is missing.

The clutch was recorked, and the clutch plates are new (need to be installed). The seat cover is a replacement that was installed over the original seat frame. The bike has no wiring harness installed. 

I had the bike running a year ago, but have not fettled with it since. This bike deserves an owner who appreciates its history and condition. I have done my part as steward, and now it is time for me to pass it on to the next caretaker.

I will provide a bill of sale, but have no other documentation available.

I will happily cooperate with transporters  for those who would like to ship this bike overseas, but those arrangement must be made by the buyer. I am located 45 minutes south of the Port of Newark, New Jersey, so delivery to port won't cost too dearly. More photos available on request.