1909 Golden Sunbeam Gentlemen's Tricycle – The Online Bicycle Museum

1909 Golden Sunbeam Gentlemen’s Tricycle

1910_Sunbeam_Catalogue_11

For years we have been asked by Cyclists for a Sunbeam Tricycle, with the Little Oil Bath and with our Two-Speed Gear. This machine fulfils these requirements, and will be found most suitable for nervous or elderly riders.

– 1909 Sunbeam catalogue

The Sunbeam tricycle was made only in small quantities, and to a customer’s special order. The catalogue illustration (above) remained unchanged throughout. The Gentlemen’s version – with a top tube rather than a loopframe – was not illustrated. There are only a few surviving Sunbeam gentlemen’s tricycles known to The Sunbeam Register. This example was previously owned by a collector in Herefordshire.

1909 Golden Sunbeam Gentlemen’s Tricycle

Two-Speed Epicyclic Gears

24″ Frame

28″ x 1 1/2″ Beaded Edge Front Wheel

26″ x 1 1/2″ Beaded Edge Rear Wheels

Brooks B130 Saddle with Brooks Toolbag

Lucas Burbury ‘B82’ Bell

Frame No 97714

The rare Sunbeam Gent’s Trike is well preserved, with original paintwork, although its transfers (decals) have faded into oblivion. Although it’s fully functional, one of the rear beaded edge tyres is in poor condition. Most hundred-year-old tyres were discarded long ago; so, while it still holds air, I decided to keep this ‘Bates Wellington’ in place for historical interest.