Ex-works; H J 'Bert' Bacon 1930 Senior TT; Les Newman 1934 Senior Manx Grand Prix
1930 Sunbeam 500cc Model 90 Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. GH 4181
Frame no. 8217
Engine no. NN4067
•Known ownership history
•Present ownership since 2009
•Recently been fitted with close-ratio gears and an Arias forged piston
•Comprehensive history file
•Well documented
•'Goes as well as it looks'

According to the continuation old-style logbook on file (issued January 1938) 'GH 4184' was first registered on 23rd July 1930 (just less than a month after the TT). The Sunbeam was taxed from March 1938 and the final entry is dated December 1941. The aforementioned logbook lists owners in the Bristol area: Jack Cooper was the recorded keeper 1938-1941, while in June '41 the Sunbeam passes to James Powell before being acquired by John Norris of Southampton the following month. In September 1945 Thomas 'Nigel' Seymour Smith became the new owner. (It should be noted that the logbook and consequently the V5C documents omit the frame number's last digit.)

This Model 90 is pictured in The Motor Cycle's TT Report edition of 26th June 1930 (copy on file). 'GH 4184' was one of the five works entries for the 1930 Senior TT and was ridden by gentleman racer H J 'Bertie' Bacon to 11th place. The Sunbeam was later was sold to L C Newman, who rode it at the 1934 Manx GP. The machine was ridden at the TT with Druid-type forks and at the Manx with the Webb type (both sets are still with it).

There are no factory records identifying the numbers of the frame and engine allocated to Bacon for the TT. However, the bike does have the unique frame and TT tanks that mark it out as a works machine. Unique identifying features of the factory bikes include a foot-change gearbox; scalloped frame lugs; TT left-fill oil tank; and TT extra-wide fuel tank with quick filler. The Sunbeam is currently fitted with a slightly later Amal 89, but a correct M90 stamped '29/001' is included in the sale. It has recently been fitted with close-ratio gears from Chris Odling, plus an Arias forged piston.

In terms of paperwork, there is a folder that came with the Sunbeam when purchased, which contains photographs and copies of interesting correspondence. The Model 90 came to our vendor from Thomas Davis of Wotton-Under-Edge via Richard Jones. The buff logbook ties this machine to Nigel Seymour Smith (TT rider, motorcycle collector and lifelong VOC member) and there is a copy of a letter from Les Newman to him where Newman states the Sunbeam is Bacon's. There is also a period tankard awarded to Newman for his performance at the MGP. The Marston club know 'GH 4184' well, and it is usually referred to at the Bacon or Newman bike. The file also contains photographs of Smith on the bike alongside 'Titch' Allen, and one of Newman when he was reunited with it some years later.

There is also a copy of another letter from Graham Walker, dated 4th July 1934, telling Newman the price and condition of the Bacon bike: 'I have now heard from Bacon who tells me the price of his machine is somewhere between £38 and £40.' A letter dated 14th August 1988 from Newman to Tom Davis (referencing Nigel) requests a story he had published. This letter recounts the finish of the MGP, stating that the piston rings were broken, and also references Graham Walker (which establishes the connection between the two). Newman's original album of images comes with the machine, including some of the Model 95 he replaced the 90 with in 1935.

Another letter, dated September 1934, from Burt Bacon to Les Newman passes on his congratulations. Another letter from Les to Nigel Seymour Smith, dated 1986, states he sold the bike to Harry Prior, and when he (Harry) was called up, his parents sold it assuming he would not come back alive! Newman's story on file recounts how he bought the bike, etc.

Spares offered with the machine include the later forks used by Newman; a correct M90 stamped '29/001' Amal carburettor; an early type drum/sprocket believed as used by the TT bikes; and a rare short gearbox main-shaft plus dished engine sprocket from Bill Page; they were only used on the race gearboxes without kickstart. There is also a couple of award tankards and a 1930 TT Programme. Other documents are listed below:

•Photocopy of a letter dated 15/9/34 from someone who recorded the lap times for Les Newman (we know that the person lived at 91 Pslater Lane, Sheffield, but it's not been possible to positively identify them)
•Page 380 of The Motor Cycle 20th September 1934 listing the results
•Large file of invoices
•Correspondence from Bert Bacon's son Graham Bacon
•Old MoTs
•Old/current V5C documents

An older restoration, the Sunbeam is reported to go as well as it looks (easy starting, easy gear change) and has been ridden at numerous events while in the vendor's ownership. In 2008 the Model 90 was ridden up the test hill at the '100 Years of Brooklands' celebration. It has also been ridden in other Brooklands events; on the Banbury Run; and at the Marston Sunbeam Club's Centenary Rally in 2012. The machine was last started in March 2024 and last ridden on the road in 2022.
Footnotes:
All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 21 April starting at 11am GMT.