Help with ID

[Honkeyboy]

Hi all, i bought this from an old guy who has sadly left us now and never got to find out what it is the hub is stamped K3 which from what ive read indicates 1918? no idea if thats so or what make it is so any help would be really appreciated ( i pumped the tyres up and road it home which just goes to show how well made it is) lol

 

[Honkeyboy]

Hi all, ive acquired a bike (very old one) which is surprisingly in good nik, that good i pumped the tyres up and road it home it has a serial stamp under the seat reading VL2145 sturmy archer 3 speed gears selector on the frame up near the headstock stamped K3 on the rear hub, sry i have photos but carnt post as im a new member, but any help would be gratefully appreciated

 

[mjr]

@Honkeyboy - Sturmey Archer hubs usually have the month and last two digits of the year stamped on the shell, which may narrow it down a bit.

 

[Honkeyboy]

Hi all well i chatted to a guy that knew the guy that owned this and apparently its a Royal Sunbeam/Sunbeam from 1918 as its hand painted im going to slowly strip it back to try to expose the badge and then do a full restoration and then go for a ride apparently they are pretty rare now in this condition so i think it'll be pretty nice when its done and coupled with the old 56 quickly ive just restored and the simson sr2 it'll be a nice addition to my collection and a fun day out

 

[Honkeyboy]

apparently these were used by the RAF and the Army so who knows what history its had ( the mind Boggles)

 

[Hugh Manatee]

That is a very cool bike. Go for a sympathetic restoration. Love it!

 

[Tony Raynor]

Sturmey K3 hub ran from 1918 until 1938. The gear lever might narrow the year down if there are no date stamps on the hub.

http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.com/index.php?page=history-detail&id=25

 

[Mrs M]

Look forward to seeing the finished restoration

 

[MontyVeda]

'tis a thing of beauty

 

[User42423]

Hi all, i bought this from an old guy who has sadly left us now and never got to find out what it is the hub is stamped K3 which from what ive read indicates 1918? no idea if thats so or what make it is so any help would be really appreciated ( i pumped the tyres up and road it home which just goes to show how well made it is) lol

The K3 stamping on the Sturmey Archer shell indicates a year of 1933.

 

[User42423]

Hi all, i bought this from an old guy who has sadly left us now and never got to find out what it is the hub is stamped K3 which from what ive read indicates 1918? no idea if thats so or what make it is so any help would be really appreciated ( i pumped the tyres up and road it home which just goes to show how well made it is) lol

After further inspection of your images, I think this is a 1930s Sunbeam (made under A.J.S).

 

[chaingangclub]

I have an older one, they are amazing bike. the quality of the steel alone is impressive. I have this model
http://www.oldbike.eu/museum/1904-1908/keep-inflated-hard/

I'm actually looking for parts aswell, in particular the gear shifter, If anyone could help me that would be great.

Are you keeping the sunbeam?

 

[Cycleops]

apparently these were used by the RAF and the Army so who knows what history its had ( the mind Boggles)

Or even Biggles. Very nice find especially in that condition.it'll be a labour of love restoring it.