Page 19 - LHR Biker September 2025

SUNBEAM TT MODEL 90

Sunbeam Model 90: The Rise of a
TT Legend

The Sunbeam TT Model 90 stands as one of
the most celebrated British motorcycles of the
late 1920s and early 1930s, a machine that
combined elegance, engineering finesse, and
proven racing pedigree. Introduced in 1927,
the 493 cc overhead-valve single quickly
became synonymous with speed and
reliability, drawing from Sunbeam’s earlier
racing experiments and TT campaigns.

Its reputation was forged on the world’s
toughest stages. The Model 90 claimed back-
to-back victories at the Isle of Man Senior TT
in 1928 and 1929 under Charlie Dodson,
cementing its place in racing history. Beyond
the Mountain Course, it also took on the
continent, winning international Grand Prix
events, including the 1929 Belgian GP at
Spa, where its balance of power and
d u r a b i l i t y o u t p a c e d f o r m i d a b l e
rivals.Technically, the bike was ahead of
its time, with features like twin exhaust
ports, hairpin valve springs, and
meticulous machining that earned
Sunbeam the nickname “the Gentleman’s
Motorcycle.” Stylish in form and formidable in
function, the Model 90 was as much a road
machine as it was a racer, admired by
privateers and enthusiasts alike.

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LHR Biker Magazine October2025