Motorcycle guy since 1985 here and learned today that this was a thing. Super cool. I've had several kick-start-only bikes over the years, a TL125 Honda dirt bike, a KZ400, Suzuki 650 special with a broken starter and others, and never knew you could use a capacitor in a motorcycle like this. If I knew about this in the 80s, and they had these kits for my bikes, it would have saved me so much heartache and money as to pay for that capacity 10x over. And now I know, and knowing is half the battle.
Converted my Royal Enfield in 1974 to capacitor and got rid of the battery. Worked great and never had a problem starting the bike after that. Glad to see you are using the capacitor. I thought Sunbeam only made cars, great rare motorcycle.
Thanks for sending me the link to this video Steve, I didn't know you did motorcycle videos as well The S7 and S8 are nice both bikes to ride with their shaft drive and balloon tyres. However, the speedo is definitely over optimistic, I don't think I ever got more than 60mph out of an S7. Definitely underpowered and with a few known problems, but a great owners club.
Great idea. Back in the 1960's I had an S8 (circa 1953/4 ish?). My 2nd (but "real") bike; after the BSA 124cc Bantam. I loved the 'Beamer. If you have mysterious loss-of-ignition when turning the handlebars, or going 'round any corner, as I've experienced, I have a suggestion. Check the wiring loom that wraps around/goes past the steering hub. I found a length of wire had 'dissolved' into verdigrease. I found the fault by progressing along the suspect wire with two small pins starting about a foot apart; connected to a multimeter. I'd disconnected one end of the wire, then started looking for any sign of resistance in that wire. (Oh the small pins I pushed through the insulation to make contact with the wire's copper strands within). I finally narrowed it down to a section around 1 1/2 inches long, where the fault was. I cut out around 3 inches, then along the wire I sliced open the errant area; revealing the sticky gooey verdigrease inside. All strands had corroded through. Just one or two strands were actually touching together!. It was amazing it had been able to start at all!. I then spliced in a new 3 inch section of wire.
Had a 40V, 10,000 microfarad capacitor set up on my '97 Harley Electra glide. Glide used to eat batteries and I got sick of having it let me down when away from help, capacitor set ready to wire in if needed, get the push start thing happening, get back home without a problem. Good vid Steve.
I know the Sunbeam name for bikes, but I know little about them. Yours is a nice example. The capacitor is a neat idea. My ‘78 Goldwing, electric start only, needs to keep its battery for a variety of reasons. Your video was educational, though.
Good film Steve, thats a rare machine, about 30 years ago a local window cleaner used to have one with a sidecar to do his round on. I was quite a site with his ladders on the sidecar.
I have seen Sunbeam S7s on TH-cam but I have never seen one on the road. At 72 I remember before the Japanese took over and there were a couple of smaller Sunbeams around but not an S7. It is an interesting motorcycle.
Hi Steve, I am from Australia and my best mate has an s7 deluxe and at least 2 s8 that I know of, I go to Sunbeam Rally’s all around the county with him although I don’t own one, more a modern bike person really but the Sunbeam owners at the rally’s always seem to have battery issues. It’s been awhile now since you posted this vid but I am wondering if the capacitor thing is still working on yours. Would love to be able to provide a solution to help end all the tears. Cheers and thanks for the great video.
The 1st Triumph unit construction bike had a battery circuit bypass on the ignition switch, to get the bike to run, then switch to battery circuit. Wonderful in theory, never worked. So you have it running ign on capacitor replacing coils?, what about the lights?
Steve. Had no idea you collected motorcycles. The engine doesn't sound like your typical post war British bike , very sooth and quiet. Well , let's see some more when your ready. Thanks.
Great bike. I use a small modern smart charger on my bike and it has kept the battery in tip top condition for years even though the bike gets little use Also the points shouldn't be arcing. That usually means the distributor. capacitor needs replacing.
Yes and no, they both came from the Sunbeam Cycles company which was making bicycles since 1887. The car company separated from the original company in 1905 but the bicycle company did not start making motorcycles until 1912.
I loved the S7. It was a genuine Sunbeam before BSA started adding their parts to it when it became the S8. Not that the S8 is a bad bike, but it's a Mixture of parts.
Hi Steve and thanks for this video. I'm biker as well as a Landy man but I'd never seen this modification before so found it fascinating. I'm assuming this works because on older bike you foot crank the engine into action? Good job and thanks again. Are there any downsides? I only ask as I have a pal who has a Ural sidecar outfit which has electric and foot crank starting and it might be something useful for him.
do you have to charge the capacitor each time you want to start the bike or does it get enough juice from the generator after a few kicks. Modern MX bikes use a capacitor and actually run a 12v efi pump and small computer without a battery , they take a couple of kicks to charge up. Interesting Sunbeam did 40 years before.
Intrigued by this S7, it appears to have a UK registration mark , reversed numbers ML ( London area ) which would date to the late 50s , early 60s and they were black or green in the UK , never seen a red one if it's original !.
It's not. It is a repaint, and has an Amal concentric carb. Original was a 276 side float. Also not sure about the chrome rims. (owned a '52 S-7 for 15-20 yrs.)
@@richardcovello5367 Sunbeam would paint them any BSA colour for export bikes, so not sure about the colour.. The concentric carb swap is a very common modification as the 276 is said to give a load of trouble.
@@casperghostboat The stock colours for the S-7 were black (1947-50?), then "mist green". The S-8 came in silver or black. I have not heard of any exceptions for the world market. I suppose you may have been able to order special colours from the factory, but I don't know if anyone did that. Yep, familiar with Stewart Engineering's Amal concentric replacement, but it's still not original, is it.
Really cool motorcycle, with a cool mod too. Surprised that the 'Prince of Darkness' subscribed to something like that! Seems not in vogue for them....
Worked on a good number of BSAs back in the day which employed the capacitors. Most were modified for off road, one, a rare 500cc twin Hornet scrambler.
I didn't know they made a red Sunbeam S7. I have a black one. I researched them and read they were black or green. Could someone send me a link where it talks about the red bikes that were produced.
This was a specially made bike in fact wikipedia says bikes leaving the UK could come in any BSA color. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunbeam_S7_and_S8 The original S7 was produced in black. The S7 de luxe came in either "Mist Green" or black and the S8 in "Silver Grey" or black. For export abroad BSA would supply Sunbeams in any BSA colour.
I’ve never seen a Red Sunbeam S7 or S8. Maybe it’s an export from Europe color, I thought the S7 was in Black or Green and the S8 was Polychromatic Grey or Black. That speedo, max 120mph? anything over 55mph and you’ll have oil leaks from the oil feed through the head gasket to the camshaft. My 1952 S8 is Grey, fully rebuilt and restored. Probably over restored, but needs continuous maintenance!
Most of my vehicles are running on capacitors only now. Watch my video when I convert my royal enfield to capacitors, the electric start works better than ever.
Why replace a working battery with such a small capacitor, if you stall it the lights will now go off leaving you potentially invisible to another road user
I have a serious case of jealousy over that bike. In the UK we would describe it as 'as rare as rocking horse shit' As a UK built machine they are very rare nowadays over here, highly sought after by collectors and worth a goldmine.
Hi Steve, I found you recently and have been eating up the content. Big fan of what you do. However I hate to burst your bubble, but on this one you are incorrect. There is much not original on that bike, including the paint. Additionally, the carburetor is wrong as is the chain tensioner and much of the polished items. I have a '50 which is restored correctly and so I can give you some help if you would want to go thru this bike. Also check out Stewart engineering in England for additional information and advise. Happy motoring.
I have the original carb in a box, I am the one that replaced it with the AMAL on it now. The color is original, any BSA color come on them special order as this one was. This bike was specially prepared with gold pin stripping and chrome wheels two special options which are also seen on this bike at the AACA Museum www.flickriver.com/photos/splattergraphics/37081975513/
Love S7s but do not like the saddles on yours or the handlebars, just not British :) . Source the original ones for it. Quite like in red but a bit to much like a Indian so get it Sunbeam green or even black. Good and interesting video though. I will though stick with a battery in my S7 at least to it gives up the ghost then may try a capacitor. Once you charge it though and then shut off bike for a week or so or even longer do you need to charge again prior to starting ? That would seem a bit of a pain and if so I will be always sticking with a battery.
Motorcycle guy since 1985 here and learned today that this was a thing. Super cool. I've had several kick-start-only bikes over the years, a TL125 Honda dirt bike, a KZ400, Suzuki 650 special with a broken starter and others, and never knew you could use a capacitor in a motorcycle like this. If I knew about this in the 80s, and they had these kits for my bikes, it would have saved me so much heartache and money as to pay for that capacity 10x over. And now I know, and knowing is half the battle.
I bought one of these (a '52) in England and shipped it to SoCal. Had a great time riding it and just love the sound of the engine for some reason.
Converted my Royal Enfield in 1974 to capacitor and got rid of the battery. Worked great and never had a problem starting the bike after that. Glad to see you are using the capacitor. I thought Sunbeam only made cars, great rare motorcycle.
Interesting content and yes I would enjoy seeing some of your motorcycles. Thanks
Thanks for sending me the link to this video Steve, I didn't know you did motorcycle videos as well
The S7 and S8 are nice both bikes to ride with their shaft drive and balloon tyres. However, the speedo is definitely over optimistic, I don't think I ever got more than 60mph out of an S7. Definitely underpowered and with a few known problems, but a great owners club.
Love to see more old cycles. Remarkable range of vehicles you have.
I do like old motorcycles and that was an interesting alternative to the battery. Thanks Steve. 👍
Great idea. Back in the 1960's I had an S8 (circa 1953/4 ish?). My 2nd (but "real") bike; after the BSA 124cc Bantam.
I loved the 'Beamer.
If you have mysterious loss-of-ignition when turning the handlebars, or going 'round any corner, as I've experienced, I have a suggestion.
Check the wiring loom that wraps around/goes past the steering hub. I found a length of wire had 'dissolved' into verdigrease. I found the fault by progressing along the suspect wire with two small pins starting about a foot apart; connected to a multimeter. I'd disconnected one end of the wire, then started looking for any sign of resistance in that wire. (Oh the small pins I pushed through the insulation to make contact with the wire's copper strands within).
I finally narrowed it down to a section around 1 1/2 inches long, where the fault was. I cut out around 3 inches, then along the wire I sliced open the errant area; revealing the sticky gooey verdigrease inside. All strands had corroded through. Just one or two strands were actually touching together!. It was amazing it had been able to start at all!. I then spliced in a new 3 inch section of wire.
Good to see it's not been over restored.
Had a 40V, 10,000 microfarad capacitor set up on my '97 Harley Electra glide. Glide used to eat batteries and I got sick of having it let me down when away from help, capacitor set ready to wire in if needed, get the push start thing happening, get back home without a problem. Good vid Steve.
Looking at this video again today, and really enjoying seeing the S7 ( a bike I’d love to own). Well done Steve!
I'd love a Sunbeam S7, it's a two wheeled car designed by car designer Erling Poppe.
Thanks.I have one of these and that looks to be a great mod
I know the Sunbeam name for bikes, but I know little about them. Yours is a nice example. The capacitor is a neat idea. My ‘78 Goldwing, electric start only, needs to keep its battery for a variety of reasons. Your video was educational, though.
Now I need to go look up the difference between a battery and a capacitor!!
Good film Steve, thats a rare machine, about 30 years ago a local window cleaner used to have one with a sidecar to do his round on. I was quite a site with his ladders on the sidecar.
Never heard of, or seen this MC before. Definitely would like to see more of this one as well as others in your collection.
It was always considered 'a gentleman's motorcycle' !. Four cylinder, shaft drive and very smooth, and expensive!.
Ogri biker shows how much you know because they were all twins 😂😂
@@tombeach8562 LOL, yes I know there twins, no idea why I said four !!.
Lovely old British Bike. I wish it was mine 👍
Beautiful big bike Steve and a sensible mod too. It's one less flat battery to worry about.👍
I have seen Sunbeam S7s on TH-cam but I have never seen one on the road. At 72 I remember before the Japanese took over and there were a couple of smaller Sunbeams around but not an S7. It is an interesting motorcycle.
Well maybe I shall make a video of it on the road.
Great video! I have had a lifelong obsession with S7's and Brit bikes in general, so will check out your other videos.
Love the bike Steve. It's what I would buy too. Sounded great. Curious to see the rest of your bikes
Great old bike,definitely more please.
Hi there . I've watched most of your videos to date and old cars takes me back some what, but motorcycles is my passion. Great sounding bike.
Hi Steve, I am from Australia and my best mate has an s7 deluxe and at least 2 s8 that I know of, I go to Sunbeam Rally’s all around the county with him although I don’t own one, more a modern bike person really but the Sunbeam owners at the rally’s always seem to have battery issues. It’s been awhile now since you posted this vid but I am wondering if the capacitor thing is still working on yours. Would love to be able to provide a solution to help end all the tears. Cheers and thanks for the great video.
Old Smiths instruments just look great.
The 1st Triumph unit construction bike had a battery circuit bypass on the ignition switch, to get the bike to run, then switch to battery circuit. Wonderful in theory, never worked. So you have it running ign on capacitor replacing coils?, what about the lights?
Steve. Had no idea you collected motorcycles. The engine doesn't sound like your typical post war British bike , very sooth and quiet. Well , let's see some more when your ready. Thanks.
John Davey c
The foot pedal is called the {kick start} or kick starter in the UK
Lovely unrestored patina.
That Sunbeam (S8?) Looks and sounds like it has been well cared for over the years.
S7
Great bike. I use a small modern smart charger on my bike and it has kept the battery in tip top condition for years even though the bike gets little use
Also the points shouldn't be arcing. That usually means the distributor. capacitor needs replacing.
Yes please, more Sunbeam. Was this the same Sunbeam company that made the cars?
Yes and no, they both came from the Sunbeam Cycles company which was making bicycles since 1887. The car company separated from the original company in 1905 but the bicycle company did not start making motorcycles until 1912.
Very interesting. Would like to see more bikes if possible.
Why have I not heard of this before? I learn something something new from you every week. Do you have a British Seagull for your duck boat?
YES, more bikes please
I loved the S7. It was a genuine Sunbeam before BSA started adding their parts to it when it became the S8. Not that the S8 is a bad bike, but it's a Mixture of parts.
The S8 is the same bike but with narrow tyres.
Hi Steve and thanks for this video. I'm biker as well as a Landy man but I'd never seen this modification before so found it fascinating. I'm assuming this works because on older bike you foot crank the engine into action? Good job and thanks again. Are there any downsides? I only ask as I have a pal who has a Ural sidecar outfit which has electric and foot crank starting and it might be something useful for him.
do you have to charge the capacitor each time you want to start the bike or does it get enough juice from the generator after a few kicks. Modern MX bikes use a capacitor and actually run a 12v efi pump and small computer without a battery , they take a couple of kicks to charge up. Interesting Sunbeam did 40 years before.
We already done it.🇧🇷
Great vid. Got any old dirt bikes in your collection?
Intrigued by this S7, it appears to have a UK registration mark , reversed numbers ML ( London area ) which would date to the late 50s , early 60s and they were black or green in the UK , never seen a red one if it's original !.
It's not. It is a repaint, and has an Amal concentric carb. Original was a 276 side float. Also not sure about the chrome rims. (owned a '52 S-7 for 15-20 yrs.)
@@richardcovello5367 Sunbeam would paint them any BSA colour for export bikes, so not sure about the colour.. The concentric carb swap is a very common modification as the 276 is said to give a load of trouble.
@@casperghostboat The stock colours for the S-7 were black (1947-50?), then "mist green". The S-8 came in silver or black. I have not heard of any exceptions for the world market. I suppose you may have been able to order special colours from the factory, but I don't know if anyone did that. Yep, familiar with Stewart Engineering's Amal concentric replacement, but it's still not original, is it.
More bikes please, Steve.
Did these come in red?
Really cool motorcycle, with a cool mod too. Surprised that the 'Prince of Darkness' subscribed to something like that! Seems not in vogue for them....
Worked on a good number of BSAs back in the day which employed the capacitors. Most were modified for off road, one, a rare 500cc twin Hornet scrambler.
Looks like razors are in shortage during lockdown, ha ha.
I didn't know they made a red Sunbeam S7. I have a black one. I researched them and read they were black or green. Could someone send me a link where it talks about the red bikes that were produced.
This was a specially made bike in fact wikipedia says bikes leaving the UK could come in any BSA color.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunbeam_S7_and_S8
The original S7 was produced in black. The S7 de luxe came in either "Mist Green" or black and the S8 in "Silver Grey" or black. For export abroad BSA would supply Sunbeams in any BSA colour.
I’ve never seen a Red Sunbeam S7 or S8. Maybe it’s an export from Europe color, I thought the S7 was in Black or Green and the S8 was Polychromatic Grey or Black. That speedo, max 120mph? anything over 55mph and you’ll have oil leaks from the oil feed through the head gasket to the camshaft.
My 1952 S8 is Grey, fully rebuilt and restored. Probably over restored, but needs continuous maintenance!
This doesn't work, as soon as you switch the ignition on , the coil sucks all voltage out instantly. Also you didn't show it starting up!
Most of my vehicles are running on capacitors only now. Watch my video when I convert my royal enfield to capacitors, the electric start works better than ever.
Why replace a working battery with such a small capacitor, if you stall it the lights will now go off leaving you potentially invisible to another road user
I have one that is all original that I may sell.
I have a serious case of jealousy over that bike. In the UK we would describe it as 'as rare as rocking horse shit' As a UK built machine they are very rare nowadays over here, highly sought after by collectors and worth a goldmine.
What about the lights?
They will run when the engine is running.
@@ThisWeekWithCars Doesn't the battery help stabilise the voltage though?
Hi Steve, I found you recently and have been eating up the content. Big fan of what you do. However I hate to burst your bubble, but on this one you are incorrect. There is much not original on that bike, including the paint. Additionally, the carburetor is wrong as is the chain tensioner and much of the polished items. I have a '50 which is restored correctly and so I can give you some help if you would want to go thru this bike. Also check out Stewart engineering in England for additional information and advise. Happy motoring.
I have the original carb in a box, I am the one that replaced it with the AMAL on it now. The color is original, any BSA color come on them special order as this one was. This bike was specially prepared with gold pin stripping and chrome wheels two special options which are also seen on this bike at the AACA Museum www.flickriver.com/photos/splattergraphics/37081975513/
Love S7s but do not like the saddles on yours or the handlebars, just not British :) . Source the original ones for it. Quite like in red but a bit to much like a Indian so get it Sunbeam green or even black. Good and interesting video though. I will though stick with a battery in my S7 at least to it gives up the ghost then may try a capacitor. Once you charge it though and then shut off bike for a week or so or even longer do you need to charge again prior to starting ? That would seem a bit of a pain and if so I will be always sticking with a battery.