Comments on: The Golden Sunbeam

By: Christer Forsberg

Christer Forsberg — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 16:21:58 +0000

Gentlemen, I have recently undertaken the Herculian task of repairing a 1914 Sunbeam bicycle. To remove the rear wheel. empty the oil-bath, remove the front circular cover and the chain through the rear opening (remove lid). The wheel could now be removed by gently pulling backwards, then upwards. To replace the chain, use thin strands of metal-thread fastened to the chain ends. A more difficult task is to make new coils that holds the pawls in the chain-wheel in position. Use a clock-spring, cut into the right lengths. To form them to the hair-pin shape, heat the middle part over a candle. When correctly formed, cool them in oil. That slows the process, thus retaining the elasticity of the steel. Ask Veteran Cycles Club for further information. Nil desperandum!

By: Catherine Ayers

Catherine Ayers — Tue, 26 May 2020 17:44:12 +0000

Cleaning up and 'restoring' my grandmother's sunbeam. Just how did you replace the rear tyre and inner tube? I'm thinking it's going to take some brute force but don't want to damage the frame or have the chain come off inside the little oil bath. Please advise if possible! I don't thinks the bike will ever be 'roadworthy' but a little peddle to celebrate would be lovely, before 'she' becomes a garden ornament or curiosity.

By: Chris Mallard

Chris Mallard — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 14:12:46 +0000

I managed to get some new brake blocks for my 1934 Sunbeam from a Mr Pinkerton, who is the son of one of the great Sunbeam enthusiasts but sadly no longer with us. I think I may have his details somewhere, but he should be traceable via the web.

By: Vince Warner

Vince Warner — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:55:06 +0000

In reply to Cody Crowley.

Hello Cody,
First the easy bit: just oil the rear hub with a 30 grade oil.
Now the hard bit: you need to slip the chain from the chainwheel to allow you to get the rear wheel as far back as it will go. There is a removable panel on the chaincase to allow you to do this. Move the wheel back so the axle is clear of the rear ends. This will allow just about enough room to squeeze the tyre through the gap on the left side of the bicycle. It is a bit of a wiggle to get it through there.
It's not easy, but it is easier than removing the rear wheel.
I hope this helps
Vince

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:25:59 +0000

I have a 1919 golem sunbeam apart from new tyres and tubes a few new spokes and saddle redone by brooks it's all original, I still use it every weekend, best bike I have ever owned

By: Cody Crowley

Cody Crowley — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 03:21:15 +0000

Hello Vince!
I'm a young vintage English bicycle enthusiast here in the United States and I just purchased my first roadster, a Sunbeam Gent's 3 speed from the late 1930's-early 1940's.
However, I ordered new tires for it, but have no idea how to install it on the rear wheel. Could you walk me through the process of slipping it on the rear wheel without major disassembly as you mentioned above?
Also, since it is difficult to remove the rear wheel, should I re-grease the rear bearings or just oil the 3-speed hub?
Thank you for your help!

By: Alan Williams

Alan Williams — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 21:29:00 +0000

I like your web page I have rebuilt a 1911 ladies Sunbeam and at present restoring a gents 3 speed 1930 ? Bicycle.i was told to remove the end if the grips and found a puncture outfit ect what a thrill it was! Keep it up Alan Wolverhampton

By: Ted Tyndall

Ted Tyndall — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 21:15:20 +0000

That's a very satisfactory reply Vince, at the moment my two "Marston " Sunbeams are just stored as completely dismantled kits of parts. When eventually I get around to renovation / reassembly I'll try out your described method. It certainly sounds as though it could work, and would save a bit of time. Thank you, TED.

By: Vince Warner

Vince Warner — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 18:19:38 +0000

In reply to Ted Tyndall.

Stretching the frame sounds drastic. However slightly springing the rear of a frame is possible and is an accepted procedure among classic bicycle mechanics (tools were once made for this purpose), but springing the rear of a frame only gains a tiny increase between the rear ends. If you take it too far you would cause a permanent increase in OLD which would then require the frame to be retracked.

However I had no need to do that, as a tyre is far more flexible than a frame:

Sliding the wheel out of the rear ends I could then raise the wheel slightly giving me enough room to slide the tyre up between the frame and the wheel in the left side of the bicycle. I then flexed the tyre to manipulate it around the axle. It can then be raised further to the correct position to be fitted.

By: Ted Tyndall

Ted Tyndall — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 22:02:07 +0000

How did you fit the new tyre without removing the rear wheel from this 1930's three speed Sunbeam ? As a post 1932 bike it would'nt have had the very useful Sharps divided axle, or as in th case of my 1954 Sunbeam, the very rare BSA quick release hub - I hope you did'nt "stretch the frame " like a retired cycle mechanic (who obviously should have known better,) told me he often did !