Vintage early 20th century Sunbeam Bicycle: Sunbeam 2 speed Sturmey Archer gears, Brooks B66 leather saddle, 24-inch frame, Brass tyre pump, ready to ride an early Sunbeam bicycle showing the patented 'Little Oil Bath' - the famous Sunbeam invention where the chain is partly enclosed in oil to keep it constantly lubricated. The only disadvantage caused by the fitting of the 'Little Oil Bath' was the difficulty of removing the inner tube on the rear wheel. Punctures in those days could happen frequently because of the poor state of the roads and the thin tyres then in use. To overcome this problem Sunbeam acquired the exclusive right to use Professor Sharp's patented tyre removal system consisting of a divided axle, a spacer and a bolt. When the bolt and spacer were removed the wheel was only attached on the chain-stay side and so the inner tube could easily be slipped off. The new system appeared on machines in 1905 (black finish painted many times over years)