Sun Motorcycles

Built in England from 1911 to 1961, the bicycle company was started by the Parkes family and later merged with the Raleigh group. Production of motorcycles began with Villiers engined 346cc singles, and then after WWI utilised Vitesse rotary-valve twostrokes and Villiers engines, as well as larger JAP and Blackburne units. Motorcycle production lapsed between about 1936 and 1945, after which 98cc to 225cc Villiers-powered machines were produced, including the Sunwasp scooter with a 173cc engine which propelled it to 50 mph.

The brand has its origins in James Parkes & Son, a brass foundry making, amongst other things, incandescent lamps - hence the eventual "SUN" brand name. When cycles became the rage, they diversified into cycle fittings and in 1907 they became a limited liability company as "The Sun Cycle and Fittings Company". By that time they were already producing the Sun Spider bicycle (a penny farthing) and they continued to produce bicycles alongside the production of complete motorcycles, which started in 1911/12 using Precision engines. Sun were also prolific manufacturers of parts for other UK and overseas motorcycle companies, the latter of which would re-brand Sun products with a local name. Examples of this are: -

1913 saw the introduction of the first Villiers powered 2 stroke model, a relationship that continued through to the demise in 1959, but 4 stroke JAP and (briefly) Blackburne engines were also used by Sun well into the 1930s.

If that were the whole story Sun would be just another brand of motorcycle that somehow managed to survive throughout the "Golden Age" in spite of the recession, but alongside the proprietary engine range they developed the VTS engine following the acquisition of the Valveless Two-stroke Company. These were advanced single cylinder 2 stroke engines of 269cc with an excellent performance.

First introduced in 1916 alongside the Villiers and JAP models, initially these VTS engine machines were largely exported to such places as Portugal and Australia until war work ended production at the end of the following year.

Production of the engine recommenced in 1920 with a changed layout and a model name change from Sun VTS to Sun Vitesse. The previously vertical engine was inclined forwards, and although the regulation flat tank frame initially remained the same, that too soon changed with a more sporting triangulated shape taking over. This redesign coincided with the introduction of the an even more advanced 247cc Rotary Valve sports version of the Vitesse of which two competed in the 1921 Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man, doing very well with a 9^th and 10^th place in the Junior (350cc) event. This encouraged an entry in the new 250cc "Lightweight" class in 1922 but the over-lightening of engine components gave rise to excessive vibration, which caused the fuel lines to fracture. Nevertheless Gus Khun and L J Lord finished in 12^th and 13^th places after wrapping handkerchiefs around the fuel pipes to staunch the leaking. This lack of success ended Sun’s involvement in racing but the models continued and a rotary valve Vitesse lapped Brooklands at over 70 mph in the hands of Kaye Don.

The brand name was eventually acquired by Raleigh industries, who used the Sun name for their "Sun Wasp" scooter during 1960/61, but that was just a post-script to nearly 50 years of successful motorcycle production. Although this was largely centred on utility 2 strokes, it must be acknowledged that the Sun Cycle and Fittings Company always produced machines with their own distinctive styling.

Sun Villiers 247cc 1924
A tidy 1924 Sun Villiers 247cc in working order

Sun VTS 1916
A 1916 Sun VTS "awaiting a piston" prior to restoration

If you have questions about SUN Motorcycles, or if you have information to share, please contact Roger - rogersrecordshotmail

Fri Feb 08 2008
rvms<at>xtra.co.nz
Sun motorcycle
Sun Precision 1913
Hi,have recently picked up this bike and am missing part of the fuel tank.Was told it is a 1913 Sun Precision.I have 2 engines with it..500-600cc and a smaller 300cc.Both are side valve engines.Check out the photo please and see if this is a Sun.Thanks for any assistance given and l am after any related parts..ie seat and rear guard etc.
New Zealand

Sat Nov 03 2007
tiger955i<at>googlemail.com
Sun motorcycle salvaged
Hi,
Pulled this Sun motorcycle out of my late fathers shed. Thought it may be useful to somebody as spares or a pretty ambitious restoration (some parts appear absent). Also have the maintenance handbook and parts list. Contact me if interested .
Newcastle upon Tyne

Tue Sep 04 2007
telgriffith<at>aol.com
1958 sun overlander 250 twin (blue)
sun 250 twin
i have a 1958 sun overlander complete with all tinware etc. and in good condition i have been told it is rare is this so and whats it worth.
n. ireland

Sun Jul 15 2007
philtaylor207<at>hotmail.co.uk
scooters
sunwasp
hello i have sun wasp for sale the one from allan cooper too many projects ring phil on 01226 203569 thanks
yorkshire

Tue Jul 10 2007
derek.tyrrell<at>jci.com
Colour photos
Sun Villiers
Hi, I have what I think is a 1949 SUN, it has a villiers 1F 98cc engine.
I was wondering ,does any one have info on these bikes and pictures so that i can get started on the restoration,ie origional colours.Also,where is the frame number?Ican get the engine number but cant seem see a frame number.Any help on this would be greatly appreciated?
Dublin Ireland.
...........
I managed to get the Engine Number & the frame number.
Engine No. 716A-8155
Frame No. OMC-41

quiero saber que modelo es mi moto motor jap numero a/c96719/u se agradece informacion javier uruguay
uruguay

Tue Feb 27 2007
merrypipeline.com.au
What Model & Year
Sun
Have just purchased this Sun Autocycle/Moped & would like to find the the model name & year of manufacture. It has a Villiers Junior Engine No. 586/4633 & a frame No. NA145. I am hoping with a lot of TLC it will be bought back to original condition so any information or literature would be a great help.
Regards
Richard Merry.
Geelong, Australia

Wed Jan 10 2007
jamesgriffinchels53.fsnet.co.uk
possible Viliers f4 / f6 engine?
Help!
amateur restorer needs help to identify:frame No:WMC384H; Engine No:739A18795: Reg Plate: MZ 9003.Plus are there any applicable spares / engine sales out there? Ta in anticipation!
Northern Ireland
.......
Many thanks for your prompt and much appreciated response. Please find attached a photo as requested. From a classic novuce stance I think the bike may be a Sun, but I cannot be sure from friends / our local DVLA records, and of course Villiers made engines for many manufacturers! Hope this helps, and thanks in anticipation.
Regards, Jim Griffin.

Jim is quite right. His bike is a 1956 Sun powered with a 98cc 4F Villiers engine. Both frame and engine numbers are correct for that year.
Cheers, Bob
Australia
..............
Cheers guys......its nice to right for once!.......which sickens the wife big time!...now on to the next hurdle....If you guys are familiar with registering such a machine for the roads (I am told by DVLA I need to join a recognised Vehicle Owners Club to verify the authenticity of bike
identification.....but the list of such clubs thtey sent me does not have a Sun club) I would be very grateful if you could tell me where to go next and / or if the detailed info which got you to your I.D. on the bike would suffice. Sorry to be a pain.....I can send an A4 SAE if that helps to forward info.
Thanks again in anticipation.
Regards, Jim Griffin.

Mon Jan 08 2007
Alencooperhotmail

Scooter
Sun Wasp 175cc Villiers 1964?
I own a Sun Wasp Scooter in Cream and red and am looking to sell it to a great home. It has a 175 Villiers engine with 12volt system and an electric start.
Norfolk
.............
Unfortunately I do not have any photographs currently as I am in California and the bike is in the UK at my fathers house. I will email my Dad and ask him to take some photographs of it, and email them to you, if you would like. The bike is in very good condition although it has not been run for probably 10 years. I know that it has around 3500 miles from new and I know the history. My grandmother was going to be a distributor for these bike and so this was her demo model. I was around 14 years old when I got it and stripped, painted and rebuilt it. My father owned a garage business at the time and so it was my project! That was back in 1978 and I have owned it ever since. I know that I have the original 'fold out' log book in the UK.

If you would like any additional information please contact me. I have no idea what it is worth so some guidance on this would be welcome also.

Sat Dec 23 2006
alanmusgravehotmail.co.uk
scooter sun wasp
hi, alan here I am restoring a sun wasp scooter and need a wireing diagram and one medium front floor runner, help
barnsley, s.yorks

Tue Dec 12 2006
woodhouse42btinternet

Sun Precision TT model
I have a fully restored Sun Precision TT model
is it of interest to you
Jack Sizer said it was the best he had ever seen
Lincolnshire

Tue Nov 28 2006
rafbeabigpond

Photograph
Sun Genie
In 1962 I had a Sun Genie 98cc, rego WYR17. Any chance you could email me a jpg of a similar bike? I never got a photograph of it. (Mine was red).
Australia

Tue Aug 01 2006
petomickhotmail

Sun Overlander Villiers 2t engine
Hello,I owned a bike as above around 1962 and regret having sold it to a mate who wrote it off in an accident.I would love a picture of one of these.It was attaches to a sidecar when I first saw it but I only bought the bike,what a wonderful click click from those long silencers, like a turbo I used to think! If you can,t help me thanks for trying.
Peter Collier
Nottingham UK

Sun Jul 23 2006
jquatroiprimus.com.au
Sun Villiers
hi my name is john ,my dad owned a villiers sun motor bike,can you tell me a little about it and do they hold any value?
adelaide australia

Thu Jul 06 2006
ethalparadise.net.nz
Sun Motorcycles
Sun 1926/1932? frame no S9441
Front forks have springs outside arms Villiers motor noW45001 Any imformation will help

Tue Jul 04 2006
rogersrecordshotmail

Bits Wanted and Information given
SUN - most models
Hi,
If you need information on Sun motorcycles, or if you have any parts or complete bikes to dispose of, by all means email me!
London

Tue Apr 04 2006
shepppy39yahoo.co.uk
Sun motorcycles
not known
I have found a frame, tank, front forks and a small No of other bits in my fathers garage. The tank has Sun on it . There is no engine.
Help !
Where can I find more on this marque?
Salisbury Wilts

Tue Nov 29 2005
paulatkinson1822yahoo.co.uk
1952 the" sun" motorcycle
hi i,ve just bought a 1952 the sun motorcycle (burgany in colour) it is a villiers powered mk 10D 125cc with 13995 miles on it. has anyone any photos of these bikes or any information on them i would be most greatfull. thanks

Fri Nov 18 2005
hallcross_furniturehotmail.co.uk
villiers sunwasp scooter
I am trying to locate a Villiers Sunwasp scooter in any condition. Any information on these scooters would also be very welcome.

Sat Aug 27 2005
pedro.r.filipenetcabo.pt
SUN
HI
I have a 1916 Sun Motorcycle but I don´t have any informations of my motorbike and I dont have the gearbox .

Fri Jul 15 2005
paltdi.net
The sun
I have a motorcycle that was used in Canada by a constable in the 1920's-30's. It has a Villiers V engine in it, serial number 8011579. It is called the "sun". I would like to get some more information on it. It was my grandfather's. You have to pedal it to start it.
I can send you a picture if that would help.
Thank you for your consideration.

If you have a query about Sun Motorcycles, or wish to share your knowledge of these classic British machines, please contact us!