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Sunbeam 500 1928
From a technical point of view, the Sunbeam 500
was anything but a racing motorcycle. Yet it raced and even won against
motorcycles that had long since assimilated Grand Prix technology. The Sunbeam's
secret lay in its simplicity, its constant performance, and the company's nose
for good drivers, usually the best men available.
The Sunbeam brand was born in 1912 in
Wolverhampton, a town with a decided predilection for motorcycle factories,
preferably racing motorcycles. The company soon had its first racer ready—a
four-stroke single-cylinder with side valves. Although this type of engine was
not advanced in concept (head valves were common by now), the motorcycle had a
surprising success both at home and abroad.
The company realized that head valves were common
even in production motorcycles, so after World War I it installed them on its
racing motorcycles. But the Sunbeam company did not use the complicated
single-and double-shaft distributors that rival companies were so fond of.
The high quality of the new Sunbeam 500 was evident as soon as it was pitted
against other motorcycles, and it won important victories on the most
prestigious tracks in Europe.
Motorcycle: Sunbeam 500 Manufacturer: Sunbeam
Motor Co., Wolverhampton Type: Racing Year: 1928
Engine: Sunbeam single-cylinder, vertical, four-stroke, overhead valve
distribution, rod and rocker. Displacement 500 cc.
Cooling: Air
Transmission: Three-speed separate
Power: About 28 h.p.
Maximum speed: About 105 m.p.h.
Chassis: Single cradle, tubular, open below. Front, adjustable elastic
suspension; rear, rigid
Brakes: Front, expansion; rear, pulley skid
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