Sunbeam Road Racer
11-30-15, 07:41 AM
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Sunbeam Road Racer
I've known this bike for over 50 years. It originally had translucent tyres and my dad told me it had been used as a board racer? It has hub brakes which appear to be original items. There's a three speed Sturmy Archer. The seat tube length is 20" and the wheel diameter is 24". I've attached a few photos and hope someone can identify it and give an approximate age.
Thanks
Thanks
11-30-15, 09:07 AM
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As long as the rear hub hasn't been replaced later on, there'll be a date code stamped on the outer shell of the hub...four digits, first two are month, last two are the year. That'll narrow it down to the approximate year...however, since the hub might've sat on a shelf for a little while, the bike may be as much as a year newer than the hub, but it'll get you in the ballpark.
That's a pretty neat bike, all the way around.
That's a pretty neat bike, all the way around.
11-30-15, 09:24 AM
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Coolest bike I've seen posted in a long time!
The hub may pre-date year coding, but there is enough information to begin. The quadrant shifter indicates it predates '35. Gently clean the hub and get as much information off it as you can. The hub brakes, bell and reflector indicate it's last use was as a road bike. Please don't remove anything, clean to harshly or modify, the bike in it's condition is a gem!
The hub may pre-date year coding, but there is enough information to begin. The quadrant shifter indicates it predates '35. Gently clean the hub and get as much information off it as you can. The hub brakes, bell and reflector indicate it's last use was as a road bike. Please don't remove anything, clean to harshly or modify, the bike in it's condition is a gem!
11-30-15, 09:35 AM
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Cool bike! The K-series quadrant shifter does indicate early 30s, most likely, and the date code on the rear hub (and or the model #) would confirm.
11-30-15, 09:45 AM
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It's not a board racer; it's a road racer. Board racers don't have 3-speed hubs, hub brakes, etc. Still, it's a very cool bike. I'd like to see more photos.
Yes, K-series shifter, so presumably a K-series hub; the date on that will be something like K5 (for 1935).
What's the crank? If the crank was made by Williams, it will have a date code on each piece.
Yes, K-series shifter, so presumably a K-series hub; the date on that will be something like K5 (for 1935).
What's the crank? If the crank was made by Williams, it will have a date code on each piece.
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11-30-15, 10:13 AM
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NOW that is Vintage with COOL in the front of it
11-30-15, 11:37 AM
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Pretty awesome condition, too. Looks like it was stored in a relatively benign environment. Great find! Proceed gently.
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11-30-15, 06:21 PM
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Tooth brush and Bon Ami. Way cool. What size are the tires?
12-01-15, 06:08 AM
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A few more pictures
I've had a good look round the bike and can't find any obvious date codes. There is a serial number on the headstock that's unreadable. A few more pics attached.
12-01-15, 07:18 AM
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The date is coded on the hub....something like:
Sturmey Archer
K5
Patents Applied
326546121
65442184
654855545
I can see the writing on the hub, just can read it in photo. Can you get a better picture or type out what is written on the hub?
Sturmey Archer
K5
Patents Applied
326546121
65442184
654855545
I can see the writing on the hub, just can read it in photo. Can you get a better picture or type out what is written on the hub?
Last edited by Velognome; 12-01-15 at 07:22 AM.
12-01-15, 08:53 PM
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W. O. W. I have nothing to add, but that is super lovely. Here's a 1934 Sunbeam catalog. Doesn't seem to have this exact model...?
https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1934-sunbeam-catalogue/
https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1934-sunbeam-catalogue/
12-02-15, 09:02 AM
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Thanks for the interest guys. I've had a close look at the rear hub and the only wording is "3 Speed Hub Brake, Perry & Co Ltd, Made Under Sturmy Archer Licence. The bike does look similar to the road racer in the 1934 catalogue.
