Sunbeam Gentleman's Bicycle

John Marston apprenticed to become a Japanware manufacturer – the process of ‘blacking’ metal items to protect against corrosion. His portfolio soon grew into a successful business making all number of household items.

It was his wife, Ellen Marston, who in 1887 suggested making bicycles – coming up with the name ‘Sunbeam’. Something of a perfectionist, Marston developed the oil bath chain cover to include lubrication of the rear hub and bottom bracket, an invention which also kept the rider's ankles clean! The Sunbeam was always promoted as the ‘Gentleman’s machine’, a bicycle to last a gentleman a lifetime - reference to its extreme quality and serviceability.

This lovely original bicycle needs only minor recommissioning and is the first in a run of three Sunbeams from the Mouldsworth Motor Museum, all showing the quality and care of manufacture that came from the Wolverhampton factory.