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Vintage | Veteran | Custom | Motorcycle | Bobbers | Classic bikes | Sunbeam Model 9

Motorcycle blog image "Blog?" We hesitate to use that term. It's a klunky sounding four letter word—and one that's actually been around for maybe 150 years or so.

Back then, in the mid-19th century, "blog" meant "a servant boy". Or "a house slave". Or, to use the vernacular, "a gofer". It was much later in the 20th century that it came to mean an "online diary" of some kind.

I got up.

I did this.

I did that.

I went back to bed.

Etc.

But most, if not all current blogs, include news of some kind (if only to pad the humdrum holes in general human existence). And some are almost pure news, which further blurs the definition.

Regardless, the word is derived from "web + log", but then you probably know that. Most people do. What you might not know is that Sump is arguably (and we did say "arguably") the best classic motorcycle web + log, or "blog" on the planet. But until now we've tended to think of our digital scribblings as "news", which is pretty much a blog in a suit.

And if you Google "classic bike news", we're usually number one in the listings. But if you Google "classic bike web log", or "classic bike blog", you'll see that we're a little further down the podium.

And that ain't actually too bad because until now, we haven't optimised any of Sump for the word "blog" or "web-blog". But clearly, Google's search engine algorithm is smart enough to recognise that "news" and "blog" ain't necessarily all that far apart, terminologically speaking. So we've ranked fairly well where we wanted to rank well.

Anyway, "blog" is currently where it's at. And "news" is kinda ... well, old news. So we figured it was time to move with the times and bloggit for all its worth. So here's an alternative landing page for our "blog", or "news pages" if you're a little old fashioned. But if you want Google to sit up and pay attention, you've got to play by Google's rules.

Are we right?

So be our guest. Go and press some buttons and poke around and see what's on offer. You can then decide for yourself if Sump really is the world's number one classic motorcycle blog.

— Sump

feedback@sumpmagazine.com

◄ 1932 Sunbeam Model 9. This 80mm x 98mm, twin-port, 493cc (500cc) single-cylinder roadster was a quality piece of motorcycle hardware in the mid-1930s, and it's no piece of junk today. Sunbeam, founded by John Marston in 1887, built its first powered two wheeler in 1912. That was a 70mm x 90mm 347cc sidevalve single which sold for 60 guineas (around £63). In the early 1920s, Sunbeam had discovered overhead valves which led indirectly (through the firm's factory racers) to the Model 9. A 347cc Model 8 was also available. But the Model 9 was the leader of the Sunbeam pack and offered almost 80mph at the top end with an easy 60mph cruising speed. Features included a three-ball bearing crank, a dry sump, and a three-speed hand change "cross-over drive" gearbox. The brakes were merely adequate for the day, and are marginal on modern roads. But the build quality, and (especially) the finish was top class. A 599cc Model 9A was available from 1932. This example is to be sold by Bonhams at Beaulieu on Saturday 3rd September 2016. The estimate is £6,000 - £8,000 which is about right for the current market, but not a lot for a beautiful motorcycle such as this. The engine, note, has been replaced by a unit from a 1935 motorcycle, hence a slightly lower than expected estimate.

www.bonhams.com

UPDATE: The Sunbeam sold for £9,200 inc buyers commission.

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