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The last nail in the coffin for the Gold Star range was the discontinuation of the ignition magnetos by electrical manufacturer Lucas. The newer twin-cylinder machines were now the kings of road racing, and off-road had been completely taken over by the lighter and faster two-stroke machines.Īs usual, what was winning on the track was winning in the showrooms. BSA did later revive the 348 cc DB32 Gold Star in 1959 however it was only offered as a custom order.īy 1963, the “big single” had truly been left behind in the world of motorcycles. The Trials, Touring and Road models were dropped from the range and followed in 1957 by the Road Racing model and entire 348 cc range.īy this time the only bike to still bear the Gold Star name was the new 499cc DBD34 Gold Star Scrambles and Clubman. As the premium model in BSAs line up, the Gold Star could only be purchased as a custom order, hand-built to the customers preferred style of Touring, Trials, Scrambles, Racing or Clubman.Ī raft of upgrades adorned both the 348 cc and 499 cc models until 1956, when changes occurred within the company and Gold Star range. In 1948, BSA revived the Gold Star with the 348 cc B32 and 499 cc B34. With the embargo on producing civilian machines lifted, BSA transformed their production lines to fulfil the demand the war had created. Upon reaching the conclusion of the war, BSA had become the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Several other Allied countries also placed large orders for the military-spec M20. The British forces immediately took possession of the 690 in stock 500cc M20 machines and ordered a further 8,000 units. Sadly, the Gold Star did not make the initial impact on the market that BSA had hoped for, selling fewer than 500 before the Second World War halted all production.ĭuring the war, the British Government required BSA to redirect their manufacturing from civilian to strictly military. The engine, frame and gearbox were all upgraded and manufactured in a lightweight alloy to improve upon the speed, torque and handling of its predecessor. The first Gold Star produced began life as a BSA M24. Aboard a racing modified BSA Empire Star, Handley won the race and clocked the fastest lap with an average speed of 107.5 mph to earn him the coveted “Gold Star” pin, which was awarded to any racer who could average over 100 mph on a single lap.īSA were so proud of this achievement they renamed their flagship bike the BSA Gold Star, and so a legend was born. The Gold Star came to be in 1937, when motorcycle racer Wal Handley came out of retirement to take part in the Brooklands TT.
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Its loyal following gained over its 36 year production lifetime and the years beyond saw to that. The “Gold Star” name eventually became synonymous with the BSA brand itself. The BSA Gold Star was not only the most successful motorcycle throughout the Birmingham-based company’s 111 year history, but one of the most successful British motorcycles of all time, both on and off the track. Ask any motorcycle enthusiast about BSA and their immediate response would be along the lines of “You mean the Gold Star?”