1951 Sunbeam S8

The Sunbeam S7 and S8 are British motorcycles designed by Erling Poppe based on the BMW R75 designs that were acquired by BSA (together with the full rights to the Sunbeam brand) at the end of World War II. Manufactured in Redditch. the engine layout was an unusual in-line. 500 cc twin which drove a shaft to the rear wheel.
The inline engine made this technologically feasible. horizontally opposed ('flat') twin cylinders on BMW motorcycles had already used shaft drives. The early S7 was expensive and over engineered and the S8. which were produced with fewer features to reduce costs. retained many of the innovative parts of the early Sunbeam and updating some ideas.

This Sunbeam was originally built with a sidecar. however. the engine dropped a valve in 1964 and the bike was put into storage.
It was eventually passed onto a museum. who. passed it onto the current vendor. He restored the Sunbeam to a very high standard. choosing to have it 'as a solo' machine. The frame has been powder coated. the engine has been rebuilt. new wheels and tyres fitted and the engine and gearbox polished to a fine finish. This is a delightful motorcycle in outstanding condition and would enhance any collection.