They don't make em like they used to
#1
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1949 Sunbeam - they don't make em like they used to
When working on these bikes there is a profound awareness that it was expected these bikes would be dismantled for maintenance 50, 60, 90 and even 116 years later and put back tegether for the road.
Never ceases to amaze me
Oil filler hole for headset bearings. After nearly 70 years the tiny 2mm bolt slackens so you can rotate the cover cap and oil the bearing.
Virtually no wear after 70 years in the little old oil bath chain case.
Working on old Sunbeams I am always astonished how every bolt - even the tiniest like this one, require only few degrees of turn with a tool before you can rotate the bolt out with just your fingers.
The only thing stuck was the drive side cotter pin. Offered it up to the vice for pressing it out.
Spanner placed over the cotter pin head, nut put back on the pin, vice jaws press against the nut and clearence provided by the inserted spanner means all the pressure is attempting to push the cotter pin out of the crank.
Never ceases to amaze me
Oil filler hole for headset bearings. After nearly 70 years the tiny 2mm bolt slackens so you can rotate the cover cap and oil the bearing.
- Still nice and lubed. Note the bolt securing the seatpost stay that helps removing the rear wheel.
Virtually no wear after 70 years in the little old oil bath chain case.
Working on old Sunbeams I am always astonished how every bolt - even the tiniest like this one, require only few degrees of turn with a tool before you can rotate the bolt out with just your fingers.
The only thing stuck was the drive side cotter pin. Offered it up to the vice for pressing it out.
Spanner placed over the cotter pin head, nut put back on the pin, vice jaws press against the nut and clearence provided by the inserted spanner means all the pressure is attempting to push the cotter pin out of the crank.
Last edited by Johno59; 06-29-19 at 08:39 AM.
#2
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Cool!
Do you have a pic of the bike before starting disassembly?
Do you have a pic of the bike before starting disassembly?
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#3
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The fenders have no rust which is unusual as they get most the road salt. That suggests to me this was a fair whether only bike
The 1984 Campy Delta and the Shimano AX shamelessly copied these centre pull calipers 40 years later.
The patron Saint of Travellers needs to be on your bell.
Never seen a 'rising sun' decal for a Sunbeam before this one.
The 'Little Old Oil Bath Chain Case' was almost dent free.
This tail-light was German!
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#4
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I'm not so familiar with really old bikes-
What is it? It looks really cool- and in really great shape.
70 years old? With a German tail light?
What is it? It looks really cool- and in really great shape.
70 years old? With a German tail light?
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#5
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Sunbeams are considered by what you'd call a New York City Bike Snob as the best bicycles ever made. The real anally constrained consider any Sunbeam after WW1 as junk - which says more about them than the bicycle.
This one utilizes parts that were manufactured in Wolverhampton but assembled in London and are thus considered the last of the real Sunbeams before Raleigh acquired Sunbeam, and many of the old marques, and proceeded to destroy the British bike industry.
Before WW1 a Sunbeam cost a working man 6 months salary. They were very expensive but the level of quality was there before WW2 and hence the fact pulling them apart is a piece of cake compared to all other bicycles, even those a quarter of their age.
This one utilizes parts that were manufactured in Wolverhampton but assembled in London and are thus considered the last of the real Sunbeams before Raleigh acquired Sunbeam, and many of the old marques, and proceeded to destroy the British bike industry.
Before WW1 a Sunbeam cost a working man 6 months salary. They were very expensive but the level of quality was there before WW2 and hence the fact pulling them apart is a piece of cake compared to all other bicycles, even those a quarter of their age.
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I love St Christopher bells. They were an expensive luxury. I can imagine how some father felt, while just snugging up the last screw on the bell, to "protect" his daughter as she traveled. Or maybe wife, or mistress.
#7
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I don't know but I've been told......
#8
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Not my thing really, but gotta appreciate the craftsmanship.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
#9
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The thing is the quality of the steel. Obviously the design technology is very restrictive but the lack of deep destructive rust means a hundred years later in 2019 it comes apart.
Any metal bicycle manufactured in the last 30 years will be a complete right off in 50 years or less. I have rebuilt 1980s steel bikes wherein the seatpost cost 1000 dollars to remove. If made of carbon fiber make that ten years and it's sponge.
Any metal bicycle manufactured in the last 30 years will be a complete right off in 50 years or less. I have rebuilt 1980s steel bikes wherein the seatpost cost 1000 dollars to remove. If made of carbon fiber make that ten years and it's sponge.
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Great pics! That chaincase is cool.
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That bike cost a worker 6 months wages you say, so the worker bought the best he could afford and probably paid saved up cash or installments on a lay away plan. These days in the US the average middle class worker pays 35K for a low end SUV that will never go off road over a 72 month repayment schedule. Most of those will be traded in for newer models within 3 to 5 years in an unending cycle of debt.
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#12
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I have one of those. My dad had it on his 60s, Coppertone, Schwinn Suburban. Found it tucked away in his tool chest when we were clearing out the estate. It has a very pleasant "ding".
#13
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When I was a kid, a lot of guys- even the non-Catholic and non-religious wore St. Michael's medallions- the Patron Saint of Paratroopers:
St. Michael's Medallion front by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
St. Michael's Medallion back by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
(I'm not Catholic, nor particularly religious- but notice the wear on the medallion )
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Last edited by The Golden Boy; 06-29-19 at 01:08 PM.
#14
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Great thread. Never seen a bike like this one before.
#15
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That bike cost a worker 6 months wages you say, so the worker bought the best he could afford and probably paid saved up cash or installments on a lay away plan. These days in the US the average middle class worker pays 35K for a low end SUV that will never go off road over a 72 month repayment schedule. Most of those will be traded in for newer models within 3 to 5 years in an unending cycle of debt.