Sunbeam Light Solo, 1938 - Motorcycle Review

The Light Solo was produced in standard and sports versions.The model first appeared in the 1937 catalogue but by the end of that year the company had been sold and production transferred to AMC’s factory in Plumstead, London, where machines were initially assembled from Wolverhampton-made parts. Very few Light Sports Solos had been produced by the time the model was discontinued in 1938. Wolverhampton-built examples were known as ‘Series 1’ and Plumstead-made versions as ‘Series 2’. It’s estimated that about a dozen Light Sports Solos exist today worldwide, out of a probable production total of around 60 machines.
This Light Solo dates from 1938 and was produced in the immediate aftermath of Sunbeam’s take-over by Associated Motor Cycles.

[@TadpolCreative]

Can't tell you how much I enjoy these reviews - there's so much history to motorcycles and this channel is a treasure for all enthusiasts! On a more technical note - the audio mixing is superb; even while listening on high fidelity headphones. A million more videos - please!

[@sgch101]

So glad you like the films! Following your kind comments, I listened to the film using headphones and was amazed how much better it sounds. That's great to know. We really try to get clear sound and avoid wind roar, which can spoil nicely shot films. We're going to try recording the sound in stereo for the next film. It will feature an Indian-built Enfield Bullet 350cc single and will be out by the end of July. We should be able to feature a 1970s BMW twin later this year too. Watch this space...

[@dylanbland9793]

This channel is a real joy. Only after recently finding you I've found that this is a channel that is very reminiscent of the early days of this site. The quality is outstanding, thank you and please continue to make content.

[@sgch101]

Great to hear you like the little films. We've really tried to make the sounds clear, avoid wind noise and hunt out appropriate music so it's lovely to see your comments. Many thanks. Hopefully the next film will be available in October.

[@richardpope3063]

Hello staff; one sugar or two? Yes please I'll have two, make mine pour from the Light Solo brew. Thanks Simon for this wonderful repast. Now I'll get back into the paddock for the BSA needs to nibble-on. Cheers to all riders, and pillions. Great to see and hear this work of art hanging out by riding along the lanes.

[@nielsjensen3817]

What a great video, I really enjoy the historical and technical talk, cheers from Denmark :-)

[@sgch101]

Hi Niels, Glad you enjoyed the film! You may also like the film on the "Bamburgh Run" where there are some very old motorcycles to be seen. The oldest was from 1903, which is amazing. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHSlqmpppriChcU Hopefully, someone will enter tis run with a Nimbus machine, made in Denmark, and we talk with the owner! Best Wishes to our viewers in Denmark, Simon.

[@nielsjensen3817]

@@sgch101 I saw the Bamburgh Run video, what a great event. It would be great to have a Nimbus in the Bamburgh Run, and not impossible, because about 90% of the manufactured Nimbuses are still on the roads in Denmark today, both the Type C and the Stovepipe. We have a similar event like the Bamburgh Run in Denmark, called "Skagensløbet" But the roads and the nature are not as beautiful as it is in England: See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH-Zl3Wef92irKc

[@sgch101]

Thanks for the link - lots of nice old bikes in the film!

[@kriskirby1387]

Love the little lanes

[@arnabkumardey6604]

World War two Bikes are really incredible. Particular British Motorcycles rather than German motorcycles. Those companies like BSA, NORTON, SUNBEAM should be run again and produce those 1938 to 1946 motorcycles again such a every man feel the taste of ride.

[@pjandthecraxfords1559]

I made a post on a website called imgur about your channel about 77,000 people viewed it. So, that's why you have 500 more subscribers. Not bragging or anything, but I hope this made your day.

[@sgch101]

PJ and the Craxfords It certainly did make my day (and night)! :-) I'm away on holiday at the moment and was awoken by my phone pinging every 30 secs. or so as someone subscribed on KZbin. It was great fun wondering how far the numbers would go! Many thanks - the effect on the number of subscribers was really quite amazing.

[@arnabkumardey6604]

I need one. So beautiful looking. Great rather than Royal Enfield. love from West bengal India😍😍😍😍

[@richardparkersmith4810]

Lovely bike and with the luxury of foot change!

[@pjandthecraxfords1559]

What a lovely bike. I really like that sort of low seat height and swept style of handlebars. There's someone down the end of my street with a bunch of classic bikes, including a cafe racer styled Greeves 250 that he uses as a sprint bike for hill climb events. It sounds magnificent.

[@sgch101]

Many thanks for the comments. These older bikes from the thirties have incredibly low seats compared to most modern offerings, which makes them easier to ride. This is especially true when the rider comes to a halt. It builds confidence if you can easily stabilise the bike when stopped. We rather like the mudguards too - they actually do stop muck from being sprayed on to the engine and rider!

[@pjandthecraxfords1559]

Simon Hadden Yeah, the only sort of low seated bikes you can buy nowadays are Harley Davidsons. They're easier to find than classic bikes. It's not like Sunbeam has a website haha.

[@richardparkersmith4810]

Great bike and with the luxury of a foot change!

[@roeng1368]

your videos are excellent, more please.

[@sgch101]

Thanks for the kind words! The next three films will feature three machines from the 1950s - Triumph Thunderbird Velosolex and a Matchless twin. Filming has to be at weekends and is weather-dependent but I hope we'll get the Triumph and Velosolex completed by mid April!

[@MichalZ78]

I came here because of a post on IMGUR. Great content... thanks imgur.com/gallery/NlOaU

[@ubudoggie]

Ya me too IMGUR, Hope this guy does well.

[@sgch101]

+Michal Zdunek Thanks for the IMGUR link. It explained why the number of subscribers has shot up! Thanks also for the comments - lovely to read.

[@MichalZ78]

Simon, you are welcome and thank you for all your videos! Keep it up...