BSA
Gold Star
   
The BSA Gold Star, (1938-1963),
is a 350 cc and 500 cc 4-stroke production motorcycle
that gained its reputation for being one of
the fastest machines of the 1950s. These motorcycles
were popular for their high performance. Besides
being hand built, with many optional performance
modifications available, they came from the
factory with documented dynamometer test results,
allowing the new owner to see the horsepower
produced.
Origin
In 1937, Wal Handley lapped Brooklands
at over 100 mph 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.
It had an alloy 496 cc engine, an Electron alloy
gearbox, and a light tube frame devoid of side-car
lugs. This model continued up till the War.
1948 YB32
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 motor bench
tested. They were 20 lb lighter than the comparable
cast iron barrel and head B series single. They
were very successful in the 350 class from 1949
to 1956. They could be specified in tourer,
trials, ISDT, scrambles, racing or Clubmans
trim.[4] The ZB is taken from the beginning
of the engine number.ZB is actually 1949, YB
is 1948.
1949 ZB34
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.
1953 BB34 and BB32 In 1953
a swing-arm duplex frame is introduced, along
with an improved gearbox.
1954 CB34 and CB32
An optional CB motor was given
more and squarer finning, stronger crank, a
shorter conrod, oval flywheels (500), improved
valve gear, and an Amal GP carb.
1955 DB34
The DB Gold Star had an improved
oil feed to the crankshaft, and finned front
brakes. If the buyer specified Clubman cams
and timing, he also received a special silencer.
At the end of this year the BB and CB models
were discontinued.
1956 DBD34
The most prized model was the
500 cc DBD34 introduced in 1956, with clip-on
handlebars, finned alloy engine, polished tank,
36 mm bell-mouth Amal carburettor and swept-back
exhaust. The DBD34 had a 110 mph (177 km/h)
top speed. The Gold Star dominated the Isle
of Man Clubmans TT that year. Production ended
in 1963.
1963 - End of production
Towards the end the Gold Star
was only offered in scrambles, or Clubmans trim.
In 1963 Lucas ceased to produce the magneto
used in the B series, and that line of singles
was ended. A sporting single was not produced
again till the BSA B50 models that were produced
from 1971 through 1973. Some remaindered stock
were marketed in 1974 as Triumphs, and later
CCM used BSA B50 bottom ends in their early
specials.
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