PROUD Dave Kilminster sits on his beloved Sunbeam motorbike – the same machine he used for romantic trips more than 50 years earlier.

The 80-year-old was reunited with the long lost bike after it was tracked down by his doting son and presented to him as a surprise gift.

He still rides it every Sunday to a motorcycle club in Guernsey, where he has moved from Swindon, and attends rallies with other enthusiasts all over the country.

The great-grandfather first used the contraption in 1955 when, as a spritely 19-year-old, he took a girlfriend to the south of France He married another woman four years later and sold the 1952 Sunbeam 500 S7 when he settled down in St Martin’s, Guernsey.

The notice appeared in the Adver and the classic British bike was quickly snapped up by a dealer.

But Dave had such a strong feeling of regret he tried to track it down the next day – with no success.

Unknown to him, his son Paul later managed to find the bike and shipped it back to Guernsey as a surprise present – 45 years later.

“The bike runs beautifully, and I ride it all over the place,” Dave said.

“I’m also a reasonable mechanic so I can keep it in good condition too.

“I will ride it until I can’t balance any more. It’s all thanks to my son, he's a wonderful guy. It was magical being reunited with the bike after all those years.

“Very regrettably, I sold it when I met my wife. Now I am riding my own bike again to go to rallies.

“My wife would rather I didn’t go off on crazy trips around the country but we all live in love together.”

Paul, 45, found his dad’s bike in a register kept by the Sunbeam Owners Fellowship, and contacted the owner in 1986.

But he had to wait until 2004 for a postcard from the man’s wife indicating he was growing frail and might be willing to part with it for a ‘substantial sum’. He sent off a cheque and secured the family treasure, which had since had a sidecar attached.

Paul, who has also owned several Sunbeams, invited his father round to his family home in 2007, before blindfolding him and pulling the surprise in the front garden.

Dave said: “When he took the blindfold off my immediate reaction was that it was his Sunbeam and he was trying to give it to me. It wasn’t until I sat back in my seat and saw the registration number that I realised it was my long lost bike. I looked on top, underneath, and I knew it was mine.”

Dave, who was born in Swindon and used to live in Evelyn Street, Old Town, responded with the words “Good grief, what have you done?”

The Sunbeam, which entered production in 1911, was known for its superior quality and finish. But production ceased in the mid-1950s.

Paul said: “He still can’t get over the fact that the Sunbeam he bought 50 years ago is now back with him after 45 years – nor can I really.”