By PETER DOUGLAS
AN historic World War II motorbike is now the pride of the fleet at Running Rabbits Military Museum.
In a boon to local history and motorcycle enthusiasts, a Sunbeam S7 motorbike has been kindly loaned for display in the museum.
The motorbike was used to deliver mail to Australian Army bases and has enormous historical relevance.
The Sunbeam S7, which was manufactured from 1946 and completed in 1956, was purchased brand-new by German immigrant George Kunick.
Mr Kunick used the bike every single day until several weeks before his death in 1984, aged 82.
Operations manager, Tony Magazzu, encouraged all to view this piece of history.
“British designers felt they couldn’t copy the enemy machine, it was decided that some changes would be made when building the Sunbeam S7,” he said.
“An inline 500CC twin cylinder engine replaced the BMW horizontal opposed motor.
“The unusual engine layout was certainly the S7’s most notable feature, resulting in extremely poor sales and (making it) mechanically unsound.”
The Sunbeam S7 will be on display in the main foyer of the RSL over the next few months, which is sure to excite many bike lovers.
