BSA Gold Star
BSA Gold Star
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| Manufacturer | Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA Motorcycles Ltd. from 1954) |
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| Predecessor | 1955 BSA Gold Star DB34 |
| Successor | 1971 BSA B50 |
| Class | Clubmans racer |
| Engine | alloy air cooled ohv 499 cc single cylinder |
| Transmission | 4-speed gearbox with wet multiplate clutch |
| Wheelbase | 56 inches (1,400 mm) |
| Seat height | 30.5 inches (770 mm) |
| Weight | 380 lb (170 kg) (dry) |
| Fuel capacity | 4 imperial gallons (18 l) |
| Related | BSA B33 BSA Rocket Gold Star |
The BSA Gold Star is a motorcycle made by BSA from 1938 to 1963. They were 350 cc and 500 cc single-cylinder four-stroke production motorcycles known for being among the fastest bikes of the 1950s. Being hand built and with many optional performance modifications available, each motorcycle came from the factory with documented dynamometer test results, allowing the new owner to see the horsepower produced.
In 1937, Wal Handley lapped the Brooklands circuit at over 100 mph (160 km/h) on a BSA Empire Star, and was awarded one of the traditional Gold Star pins for the feat. That inspired BSA to produce the BSA Gold Star. The first Gold Star was an M24 model. It had an alloy 496 cc engine, an Electron alloy gearbox, and a light tube frame devoid of sidecar attachment lugs. This model continued up to the start of World War II.
After the war, the all alloy 348 cc B32 Gold Star was released, with a very large list of optional components. Once ordered the bike was assembled by hand, and the engine bench tested. They were 20 lb (9.1 kg) lighter than the comparable cast iron barrel and head B series single. They were successful in the 350 class from 1949 to 1956. They could be specified in tourer, trials, ISDT, scrambles, racing or Clubmans trim. The YB is taken from the beginning of the engine number – YB is 1948, ZB is 1949.
The 499 cc B34 Gold Star had a modified crankshaft and a different design main bearing. The 350 continued. In 1950 both received larger front brakes. In 1952 the 500 gets a new Bert Hopwood design head, and the 350 had a new head of that design the following year.
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