Thanks very much for the post allenh.. and I must say that Snipe Prestige looks a very tasty machine indeed. Great colour, and with that red saddle and white wall tyres.. its a stand out for sure. Gone now though I presume after reading your.. NO LONGER IN THE BIKE SHED. Looking at your bike resume is pretty intimidating.. you've obviously had some very nice machines pass through your hands, and more to come by the look of your QUEUE TO BE COMPLETED.. ha ha. I look forward to seeing photo's of the Sun Wasp when its ready for showing..Very nice and a great story, as has been said the personal stories are always the most interesting.
I've always liked a Sun myself which probably comes from childhood but being a little younger than you by the time I was riding them they would have been a little older and more used.
I restored a Snipe a few years ago and have another pre Raleigh Sun Wasp in the garage (which is on my to do list).
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Thank you for posting that Spokesmann.. its that bike (unless you have another identical one ???) that greeted me when I first started doing some research online re the Sun Snipe Plus. As I said in my initial post, I was really taken aback when I saw it. Like being in a time machine. Its the same year and colour as mine, bought new in 1965 when I was a mere sprog of thirteen.This was my Snipe Plus from about 65/66. Now sold this one to a good friend. Worksop built by Carlton.
That's absolutely stunning.. I know that exact spot too..My restored Sun Chris Barber 10 from about 1968/9. Got a spot spot for Sun machines.
Yes its a stunning bike isn't it.. re Chris Barbers Jazz Band.. I just happened to be on a course in Wellingborough around 1974/5 if my memory serves me. The hotel that I was staying at had a wing for gigs, and I got got lucky, the band were playing one evening when I was there. Great night, got to meet all the band afterwards too. Then a year later I scored again.. Acker Bilk and his band were guesting.. great stuff..Very nice Spokesman, I've always wanted a Chris Barber Sun.
I have a replica jersey and cap and a friend went to see Chris Barbers Jazz band before his passing and got the cap autographed for me, he said it did raise a smile when he produced it and asked for it to be signed.
Thank you very much non-fixie.. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've some more to come with the final painting, decals, and putting it all back together, photo's, plus info on parts etc.. Stay tuned..Welcome, and thanks for your elaborate report, Sun Man! I very much enjoyed the read.