1931 Sunbeam Model 6/9, 492 cc. Registration number OG 8315....

Hammer

£5,400

1931 Sunbeam Model 6/9, 492 cc. Registration number OG 8315. Frame number B9659 not found. Engine number L5855.
The Longstroke, in its various guises was in production for 17 years – the longest of any Sunbeam motorcycle. The iconic 77 x 105.5 side-valve engine was first seen at the French Grand Prix of 1921. The production version then appeared in the 1922 catalogue as the 3 ½ HP TT Sporting Model, only formally assuming its famous “Longstroke” title in 1923
Major changes were seen across the entire Sunbeam range for 1929. At last, a saddle tank appeared – Marston’s being the last of the major manufacturers to go to this design. This necessitated a new frame and a separate oil tank.
In June 1930 a new 492cc sidevalve machine was introduced, christened The Lion in recognition of ICI’s ownership of John Marston Ltd, the lion being the ICI symbol. This was the Longstroke Model 6 by another name.
New front forks of Webb pattern graced the 1931 Longstroke, now listed just as the Lion. The 1931 range also sported a very smart chrome-plated petrol tank with black and gold panels. This lasted just for the one year.
OG was first registered on the 27th February 1931 and by 1964 was with George Warren of Stanmore in Middlesex, in 1974 he sold it to our vendors father. At this time the documents show it had an engine number LL5583. This is a model 9 number, so one presumes that the upgrade must have been done before he bought the machine. The number is so close to the current one that it may well have been a transcription error when the data was transferred to the DVLA system.
In long term ownership, it has been improved over the years, most notably with an engine upgrade to Model 9 spec, numbered L5855.
Sold with the V5C, V5 and R.F.60.